Publication
Title
A novel hereditary extensive vascular leukoencephalopathy mapping to chromosome 20q13
Author
Abstract
Objective: The detection of a leukoencephalopathy is a frequent situation in neurologic practice. In a number of cases, the etiology remains obscure despite extensive investigations. We characterized the clinical, pathologic, and genetic features of a novel hereditary vascular leukoencephalopathy. Methods: After the observation of a similar leukoencephalopathy in 2 sisters, clinical, neuroimaging, and molecular genetics investigations were conducted in 21 of their consenting relatives. Pathologic data were obtained in one patient. Results: Fourteen members presented with significant white matter lesions at MRI examination, among whom only 5 individuals were symptomatic. The main clinical manifestations included gait disturbances, transient movement disorders, stroke, and cognitive dysfunction. The 9 remaining members aged from 26 to 60 years were asymptomatic. The MRI pattern was highly stereotyped with symmetric white matter hyperintensities worsening with patient's age. We mapped the gene involved in this condition on chromosome 20q13. Neuropathologic examination suggested that this leukoencephalopathy is underlaid by a cerebral arteriolopathy affecting small preterminal arterioles, clearly distinct from amyloid angiopathy and hypertension-related small-vessel disease. Conclusions: These data establish that this family is affected by a novel autosomal dominant vascular leukoencephalopathy mapping to chromosome 20q13. This disease is characterized by a progressive and age-related hemispheric and brainstem leukoencephalopathy contrasting with the paucity and late onset of clinical symptoms in most of the cases.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Neurology / American Academy of Neurology. - Minneapolis, Minn
Publication
Minneapolis, Minn : 2012
ISSN
0028-3878
DOI
10.1212/WNL.0B013E3182768954
Volume/pages
79 :23 (2012) , p. 2283-2287
ISI
000312273800013
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 28.11.2012
Last edited 09.10.2023
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