Dementia in Fragile X-associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome

Autor: Ricardo Nitrini, Márcia Rúbia R. Gonçalves, Leonardo P. Capelli, Egberto Reis Barbosa, Cláudia Sellitto Porto, Edson Amaro, Paulo Alberto Otto, Angela M. Vianna-Morgante
Jazyk: angličtina
Předmět:
Zdroj: Dementia & Neuropsychologia, Vol 4, Iss 1, Pp 79-83
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1980-5764
97981141
DOI: 10.1590/S1980-57642010DN40100014
Popis: Abstract Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a cause of movement disorders and cognitive decline which has probably been underdiagnosed, especially if its prevalence proves similar to those of progressive supranuclear palsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We report a case of a 74-year-old man who presented with action tremor, gait ataxia and forgetfulness. There was a family history of tremor and dementia, and one of the patient's grandsons was mentally deficient. Neuropsychological evaluation disclosed a frontal network syndrome. MRI showed hyperintensity of both middle cerebellar peduncles, a major diagnostic hallmark of FXTAS. Genetic testing revealed premutation of the FMR1 gene with an expanded (CGG)90 repeat. The diagnosis of FXTAS is important for genetic counseling because the daughters of the affected individuals are at high risk of having offspring with fragile X syndrome. Tremors and cognitive decline should raise the diagnostic hypothesis of FXTAS, which MRI may subsequently reinforce, while the detection of the FMR1 premutation can confirm the condition.
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