The leukodystrophies are a group of inherited white matter disorders with a heterogeneous genetic background, considerable phenotypic variability and disease onset at all ages. This Review focuses on leukodystrophies with major prevalence or primary onset in adulthood. We summarize 20 leukodystrophies with adult presentations, providing information on the underlying genetic mutations and on biochemical assays that aid diagnosis, where available. Definitions, clinical characteristics, age of onset, MRI findings and treatment options are all described, providing a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge of the various adulthood leukodystrophies. We highlight the distinction between adult-onset leukodystrophies and other inherited disorders with white matter involvement, and we propose a diagnostic pathway for timely recognition of adulthood leukodystrophies in a routine clinical setting. In addition, we provide detailed clinical information on selected adult-onset leukodystrophies, including X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, metachromatic leukodystrophy, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids, autosomal dominant adult-onset demyelinating leukodystrophy, adult polyglucosan body disease, and leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter. Ultimately, this Review aims to provide helpful suggestions to identify treatable adulthood leukodystrophies at an early stage in the disease course.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2017.175 | DOI Listing |
AACE Clin Case Rep
August 2024
Department of Endocrinology, Endocrine ParaThyroid Center, Norman, Oklahoma.
Background/objective: 4H syndrome is a rare form of leukodystrophy characterized by hypomyelination, hypodontia, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. In 95% of cases, hypomyelination is present, but other clinical features, such as hypodontia and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, are not always present and may not be necessary for diagnosis. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is the most common endocrine complication that can occur in 4H syndrome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJIMD Rep
November 2024
Elife
November 2024
Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, United States.
Pathogenic variants in subunits of RNA polymerase (Pol) III cause a spectrum of -related neurodegenerative diseases including 4H leukodystrophy. Disease onset occurs from infancy to early adulthood and is associated with a variable range and severity of neurological and non-neurological features. The molecular basis of -related disease pathogenesis is unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurol Genet
October 2024
From the Division of Neurology (A.B.K.), Children's National Hospital, George Washington University Medical School, Washington DC; Division of Neurology (A.B.), Neurogenetics Translational Center of Excellence, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Kennedy Krieger Institute and The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (A.F.), Baltimore, MD; Division of Neurology (A.V., L.A.A.), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Department of Neurology and Pediatrics (K.V.H., J.S.), Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Neurology (F.S.E., R.S.), Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Department of Pediatric Neurology (M.E.), Amsterdam UMC location, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam Neuroscience, the Netherlands; and Department of Neurology (J.L.O.-M.), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Although X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) has historically been considered a childhood disease managed by pediatric neurologists, it is one of the most common leukodystrophies diagnosed in adulthood. An increase in both male and female adults reaching diagnosis due to familial cases identified by state newborn screening panels and more widespread use of genetic testing results in a large cohort of presymptomatic or early symptomatic adults. This population is in urgent need of standardized assessments and follow-up care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNutrients
September 2024
Department of Medicine and Surgery, "Kore" University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy.
: Rare diseases are a wide and heterogeneous group of multisystem life-threatening or chronically debilitating clinical conditions with reduced life expectancy and a relevant mortality rate in childhood. Some of these disorders have typical neurological symptoms, presenting from birth to adulthood. Dietary patterns and nutritional compounds play key roles in the onset and progression of neurological disorders, and the impact of alimentary needs must be enlightened especially in rare neurological diseases.
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