Cerebellar Hypoplasia with Heterotopic Purkinje Cells in the Molecular Layer and Preservation of the Granule Layers Associated with Severe Encephalopathy. A New Entity?

Abstract

We present the case of an infant girl, born to first cousins, with a clinical phenotype consisting of microcephaly, hypotonia, strabismus and severe psychomotor retardation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed global cerebellar atrophy involving the vermis and both hemispheres. The patient's serum transferrin levels were consistently unremarkable. Cerebellar biopsy, performed at 13 months of age, revealed heterotopic Purkinje cells in the molecular layer, but preservation of the external and internal granular layers. To our knowledge, this histological pattern of cerebellar cortical disorganization has not been described previously. The consanguinity of the parents suggests an autosomal recessive inheritance.

Key words

Cerebellum - hypoplasia - basket fibres - heterotopic Purkinje cells - mental retardation - hypotonia - calbindin-D_28k - tubulin - neurofilaments - psychomotor retardation

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