Current research, diagnosis, and treatment of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome.

Intractable Rare Dis Res

UC Davis MIND Institute and Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA.

Published: November 2014

AI Article Synopsis

  • FXTAS is a genetic disorder caused by a specific mutation in the FMR1 gene that results in symptoms like tremors, ataxia, cognitive decline, and psychiatric issues.
  • The disorder can also lead to less common complications such as peripheral neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction, along with significant memory and executive function issues.
  • This review discusses updated recommendations for genetic testing in adults, along with the latest research on the clinical, radiological, and treatment aspects of FXTAS.

Article Abstract

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is caused by a premutation CGG-repeat expansion in the 5'UTR of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. The classical clinical manifestations include tremor, cerebellar ataxia, cognitive decline and psychiatric disorders. Other less frequent features are peripheral neuropathy and autonomic dysfunction. Cognitive decline, a form of frontal subcortical dementia, memory loss and executive function deficits are also characteristics of this disorder. In this review, we present an expansion of recommendations for genetic testing for adults with suspected premutation disorders and provide an update of the clinical, radiological and molecular research of FXTAS, as well as the current research in the treatment for this intractable complex neurodegenerative genetic disorder.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4298640PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.5582/irdr.2014.01029DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

fragile x-associated
8
x-associated tremor/ataxia
8
tremor/ataxia syndrome
8
cognitive decline
8
current diagnosis
4
diagnosis treatment
4
treatment fragile
4
syndrome fragile
4
syndrome fxtas
4
fxtas caused
4

Similar Publications

AI-Powered Neurogenetics: Supporting Patient's Evaluation with Chatbot.

Genes (Basel)

December 2024

Genomic Medicine Laboratory UILDM, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy.

Background/objectives: Artificial intelligence and large language models like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini are promising tools with remarkable potential to assist healthcare professionals. This study explores ChatGPT and Gemini's potential utility in assisting clinicians during the first evaluation of patients with suspected neurogenetic disorders.

Methods: By analyzing the model's performance in identifying relevant clinical features, suggesting differential diagnoses, and providing insights into possible genetic testing, this research seeks to determine whether these AI tools could serve as a valuable adjunct in neurogenetic assessments.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) is the largest afferent system of the cerebellum and consists of fibres from the cortico-ponto-cerebellar tract. Specifically, several relevant diseases can present with hyperintensity in the MCP on T2-weighted/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T2/FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging sequences, including multiple sclerosis; acute disseminated encephalomyelitis; neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder; progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy; hepatic encephalopathy; osmotic demyelination syndrome; multiple system atrophy; fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome; megalencephalic leucoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts; spinocerebellar ataxias; hemi-pontine infarct with trans-axonal degeneration; and diffuse midline glioma with the histone H3K27M mutation. The aim of this pictorial review is to discuss the imaging findings that are relevant for the differential diagnosis of diseases presenting with MCP hyperintensity on T2/FLAIR sequences.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Neurovisual Training With Acoustic Feedback: An Innovative Approach for Nystagmus Rehabilitation.

Arch Rehabil Res Clin Transl

December 2024

Section of Neurorehabilitation, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

Nystagmus has various clinical manifestations, including downbeat, upbeat, and torsional types, each associated with distinct neurologic features. Current rehabilitative interventions focusing on fixation training and optical correction often fail to achieve complete resolution. When nystagmus coexists with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), functional impairments worsen, particularly affecting balance.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Diagnosis of hereditary ataxias: a real-world single center experience.

J Neurol

January 2025

Neurological Institute, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate our experience in the diagnosis of hereditary ataxias (HAs), to analyze data from a real-world scenario.

Study Design: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted at a single Italian adult neurogenetic outpatient clinic, in 147 patients affected by ataxia with a suspicion of hereditary forms, recruited from November 1999 to February 2024. A stepwise approach for molecular diagnostics was applied: targeted gene panel (TP) next-generation sequencing (NGS) and/or clinical exome sequencing (CES) were performed in the case of inconclusive first-line genetic testing, such as short tandem repeat expansions (TREs) testing for most common spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA1-3, 6-8,12,17, DRPLA), other forms [Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) and mitochondrial DNA-related ataxia, RFC1-related ataxia/CANVAS] or inconclusive phenotype-guided specific single gene sequencing.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: This study investigates the knowledge gaps about fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) among women's healthcare providers. Previous research highlighted a lack of awareness regarding FXPOI as a cause of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and its diagnosis. The objective of this study was to describe these gaps and explore demographic factors influencing FXPOI knowledge in women's healthcare practitioners.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!