Fragile X premutation tremor/ataxia syndrome: molecular, clinical, and neuroimaging correlates

Am J Hum Genet. 2003 Apr;72(4):869-78. doi: 10.1086/374321. Epub 2003 Mar 12.

Abstract

We present a series of 26 patients, all >50 years of age, who are carriers of the fragile X premutation and are affected by a multisystem, progressive neurological disorder. The two main clinical features of this new syndrome are cerebellar ataxia and/or intention tremor, which were chosen as clinical inclusion criteria for this series. Other documented symptoms were short-term memory loss, executive function deficits, cognitive decline, parkinsonism, peripheral neuropathy, lower limb proximal muscle weakness, and autonomic dysfunction. Symmetrical regions of increased T2 signal intensity in the middle cerebellar peduncles and adjacent cerebellar white matter are thought to be highly sensitive for this neurologic condition, and their presence is the radiological inclusion criterion for this series. Molecular findings include elevated mRNA and low-normal or mildly decreased levels of fragile X mental retardation 1 protein. The clinical presentation of these patients, coupled with a specific lesion visible on magnetic resonance imaging and with neuropathological findings, affords a more complete delineation of this fragile X premutation-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome and distinguishes it from other movement disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Ataxia / genetics
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Mapping
  • Cerebellum / pathology*
  • Educational Status
  • Ethnicity
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein
  • Fragile X Syndrome / genetics*
  • Fragile X Syndrome / pathology
  • Genetic Carrier Screening
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Patient Selection
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Tremor / genetics

Substances

  • FMR1 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein