Identification of heterozygous and homozygous individuals with the novel RYR1 mutation Cys35Arg in a large kindred.

Background: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a potentially fatal, often autosomal dominant, disorder of skeletal muscle and is triggered in susceptible people by all commonly used inhalational anesthetics. In this article, the authors describe a malignant hyperthermia susceptible (MHS) kindred in which both parents of the proband are MHS and are first-degree cousins. Haplotype analysis in this kindred with chromosome 19 linked markers revealed that the proband and another sibling were homozygous for the affected RYR1 allele.

In vitro human masseter muscle hypersensitivity: a possible explanation for increase in masseter tone.

To determine whether a difference in fiber-type caffeine and Ca2+ sensitivities exists between human masseter and vastus lateralis skeletal muscle, we compared the fiber-type caffeine sensitivities in chemically skinned muscle fibers from 13 masseter and 18 vastus lateralis muscles. Caffeine sensitivity was defined as the threshold concentration inducing > 10% of the maximal tension obtained after the fiber was loaded with a 1.6 x 10(-2) mM Ca2+ solution for 30 s.

[Cranio-cerebral dermoid and epidermoid cysts. Classification and pathogenesis].

The pathogenesis of cranial dermoids and epidermoids is still controversial, owing to the multiple etiologies and locations of these lesions. We reviewed 25 cases, classified as follows: extradural lesion of the calvarium; of the occipital squama; dysraphic occipital lesions; and strictly intradural lesions. In the latter group, all lesions but one were in a paramedian, prenevraxial situation, and could be classified according to their situation relative to the tentorium cerebelli.

Mutation screening of the RYR1 gene in malignant hyperthermia: detection of a novel Tyr to Ser mutation in a pedigree with associated central cores.

The ryanodine receptor gene (RYR1) has been shown to be mutated in a small number of malignant hyperthermia (MH) pedigrees. Missense mutations in this gene have also been identified in two families with central core disease (CCD), a rare myopathy closely associated with MH. In an effort to identify other RYR1 mutations responsible for MH and CCD, we used a SSCP approach to screen the RYR1 gene for mutations in a family exhibiting susceptibility to MH (MHS) where some of the MHS individuals display core regions in their muscle.

Stroke, hemiparesis and deficient mitochondrial beta-oxidation.

We describe on a 3-year-old child referred for evaluation and therapy of a cerebral vascular accident with residual hemiplegia and partial epilepsy. Metabolic investigations initially showed normal urinary organic acids as well as normal blood and urinary amino acids. Blood carnitine fractions had been pathological and a secondary carnitine deficiency was diagnosed and treated by oral L-carnitine supplementation.