Variable phenotype in a P102L Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker Italian family.

Background: Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease is an autosomal dominant prion disease. The clinical features include ataxia, dementia, spastic paraparesis and extrapyramidal signs.

Methods: We report a new large Italian family affected by Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease.

Results: The four generation pedigree includes 11 patients. The mean age at onset +/- SD was 41.4 +/- 16.2 years. Mean disease duration to death in four patients was 5.5 +/- 1.7 years. Two clinical patterns were evident: cognitive impairment with scarce neurological features or ataxia followed by cognitive impairment. Molecular analysis showed P102L mutation in PRNP gene.

Conclusion: Three Italian families have been reported to date. The variable phenotype has already been reported, and does not appear related to the codon 129 polymorphism.