Project description:Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is characterized by sudden episodes of involuntary movements. PKD is a very rare movement disorder, and correct clinical diagnosis is often a challenge.We present the case of a 23-year-old female with PKD. The patient showed episodes of twisting movements for 3 years. The symptoms lasted for about 5-10 minutes and subsided spontaneously. She was diagnosed as having epilepsy, and depressive and anxiety disorders successively. However, her symptoms did not alleviate after taking sodium valproate and antidepressants. Though there were no mutations in her PRRT2 gene, carbamazepine was used for treatment and was effective in controlling her symptoms.The clinical features of PKD patients are not always typical; therefore, it is important to distinguish PKD from the other subtypes of paroxysmal dyskinesia and psychogenic disorders.
Project description:Background:Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is a movement disorder, with an excellent response to carbamazepine treatment. It has been described in various populations, but not yet in an African population. Case report:In a patient who reported to clinic with side effects of carbamazepine, PRRT2 gene screening was performed based on a clinical history compatible with PKD. A common PRRT2 mutation was identified in this patient, hereby the first genetically confirmed PRRT2-associated PKD in Africa. Discussion:Reporting genetic confirmation of an unusual movement disorder from an equally unusual location shows the wide geographical distribution of PRRT2-associated disease. It also illustrates recognizability of this treatable disorder where the easiest accessible diagnostic tool is neurological history and examination.
Project description:Background: Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is a movement disorder characterized by transient dyskinetic movements, including dystonia, chorea, or both, triggered by sudden voluntary movements. Carbamazepine and other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are widely used in the treatment of PKD, and they provide complete remission in 80-90% of medically treated patients. However, the adverse effects of AEDs include drowsiness and dizziness, which interfere with patients' daily lives. For those with poor compatibility with AEDs, other treatment approaches are warranted. Case Report: A 19-year-old man presented to our institute with right hand and foot dyskinesia. He had a significant family history of PKD; his uncle, grandfather, and grandfather's brother had PKD. The patient first experienced paroxysmal involuntary left hand and toe flexion with left forearm pronation triggered by sudden voluntary movements at the age of 14. Carbamazepine (100 mg/day) was prescribed, which led to a significant reduction in the frequency of attacks. However, carbamazepine induced drowsiness, which significantly interfered with his daily life, especially school life. He underwent right-sided ventro-oral (Vo) thalamotomy at the age of 15, which resulted in complete resolution of PKD attacks immediately after the surgery. Four months after the thalamotomy, he developed right elbow, hand, and toe flexion. He underwent left-sided Vo thalamotomy at the age of 19. Immediately after the surgery, the PKD attacks resolved completely. However, mild dysarthria developed, which spontaneously resolved within three months. Left-sided PKD attacks never developed six years after the right Vo thalamotomy, and right-sided PKD attacks never developed two years after the left Vo thalamotomy without medication. Conclusion: The present case showed long-term suppression of bilateral PKDs after bilateral thalamotomy, which led to drug-free conditions.
Project description:IntroductionParoxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is a rare neurological disease characterized by recurrent dyskinesia or choreoathetosis triggered by sudden movements. Pathogenic variants in PRRT2 are the main cause of PKD. However, only about half of clinically diagnosed PKD patients have PRRT2 mutations, indicating that additional undiscovered causative genes could be implicated. PKD associated with POLG variant has not been reported.Patient concernsA 14-year-old boy presented with a 2-month history of involuntary dystonic movements triggered by sudden activities. He was conscious during the attacks. Neurological examination, laboratory tests, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG) were all normal. Genetic analysis showed a novel variant of POLG (c.440G>T, p.Ser147Ile), which was considered to be a likely pathogenic variant in this case.DiagnosesThe patient was diagnosed with PKD.InterventionsLow dose carbamazepine was used orally for treatment.OutcomesThe patient achieved complete resolution of symptoms without any dyskinesia during the 6-month follow up.ConclusionOur study identified the novel POLG variant (c.440G>T, p.Ser147Ile) to be a likely pathogenic variant in PKD.
Project description:Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is an abnormal involuntary movement that is episodic or intermittent, with sudden onset, and the attacks are induced by sudden movement. Mutations in proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene have been implicated in the cause of this disorder. This study presents a case of PKD on the basis of clinical findings supported and evidences obtained through a mutational analysis. Sequencing of all the exons of PRRT2 gene revealed a frameshift mutation (p.R217Pfs*8) in exon 2 and a novel transition mutation (c.244C > T) in 5'-untranslated region (UTR). Though mutations in PRRT2 gene are well-established in PKD, this study for the first time presents a novel transition mutation in the exon 2 region.
Project description:IntroductionParoxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia is characterized by sudden attacks of involuntary movements. It is often misdiagnosed clinically as psychogenic illness, which distresses the patients to a great extent. A correct diagnosis will improve the quality of life in patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia because treatment with low doses of anticonvulsants is effective for eliminating the clinical manifestations. Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia can occur independently of or concurrently with benign infantile convulsion. Identification of PRRT2 as the causative gene of benign infantile convulsion and paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia allows genetic confirmation of the clinical diagnosis.Case presentationWe describe the clinical features of a Japanese family with either paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia or benign infantile convulsion. A PRRT2 missense mutation (c.981C?>?G, p.Ile327Met) was identified in two patients with benign infantile convulsion and three patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia as well as in two unaffected individuals. Allowing incomplete penetrance in the mutation carriers, this mutation co-segregated completely with the phenotype. The patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia had been misdiagnosed with psychogenic illness for many years. They were correctly diagnosed with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia when their children visited a pediatrician for benign infantile convulsion. Treatment with carbamazepine controlled their involuntary movements completely.ConclusionsParoxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia is a treatable movement disorder that is often misdiagnosed clinically as psychogenic illness. It is important to note that two clinically distinct disorders, benign infantile convulsion and paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, are allelic conditions caused by PRRT2 mutations. Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia should be suspected in families with a child with benign infantile convulsion.
Project description:BackgroundParoxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is a rare disorder characterised by brief attacks of chorea, dystonia, or mixed forms precipitated by sudden movement.MethodsObservational study with a cohort of 14 PKD patients and genetic testing for PRRT2 mutations.ResultsIn a series of 14 PKD patients seen in our clinic at the National Hospital of Neurology, Queen Square, from 2012-2017, we noted tics in 11 patients (79%), which stand in stark contrast to the estimated lifetime prevalence of tics estimated to reach 1%.ConclusionsThe two reasons to point out this possible association are the clinical implications and the potential opportunity of a better understanding of shared pathophysiological mechanisms of neuronal hyperexcitability.