Neuropediatrics 2007; 38(4): 207-209
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-990268
Short Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Investigation of Recessive Ataxia Loci in Patients with Young Age of Onset

C. Zühlke 1 , V. Bernard 1 , G. Gillessen-Kaesbach 1
  • 1Institut für Humangenetik, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 15.05.2007

accepted 13.08.2007

Publication Date:
04 December 2007 (online)

Abstract

Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias are a phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous group of diseases. Major forms can be distinguished on the basis of clinical signs, age of onset, biochemical parameters or genotypes. To develop rational diagnostic strategies, phenotypic information, e.g., age of onset combined with population-specific disease frequencies could be highly favourable. We tested this hypothesis for single candidate loci and mutations in North European ataxia patients with juvenile and early adult onset. While we could prove that Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is frequent in Germany, only few patients with ataxia-oculomotor apraxia type 1 (AOA1) and type 2 (AOA2) were diagnosed. The frequency of the mitochondrial recessive ataxia syndrome (MIRAS) and the infantile onset spinocerebellar ataxia (IOSCA) in this population remains unknown since no case with the common mutation of the corresponding gene was detected.

References

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Correspondence

C. Zühlke

Institut für Humangenetik

Universität zu Lübeck

Ratzeburger Allee 160

23538 Lübeck

Germany

Phone: +49/451/500 26 22

Fax: +49/451/500 41 87

Email: Christine.Zuehlke@uk-sh.de

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