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An African-American family with dystonia.

ABSTRACT: The genetic cause of late-onset focal and segmental dystonia remains unknown in most individuals. Recently, mutations in Thanatos-associated protein domain containing, apoptosis associated protein 1 (THAP1) have been described in DYT6 dystonia and associated with some cases of familial and sporadic late-onset dystonia in Caucasians. We are not aware of any previous descriptions of familial dystonia in African-Americans or reports of THAP1 mutations in African-Americans. Herein, we characterize an African-American (AA) kindred with late-onset primary dystonia, clinically and genetically. The clinical phenotype included cervical, laryngeal and hand-forearm dystonia. Symptoms were severe and disabling for several family members, whereas others only displayed mild signs. There were no accompanying motor or cognitive signs. In this kindred, age of onset ranged from 45 to 50 years and onset was frequently sudden, with symptoms developing within weeks or months. DYT1 was excluded as the cause of dystonia in this kindred. The entire genomic region of THAP1, including non-coding regions, was sequenced. We identified 13 sequence variants in THAP1, although none co-segregated with dystonia. A novel THAP1 variant (c.-237-3G>T/A) was found in 3/84 AA dystonia patient alleles and 3/212 AA control alleles, but not in 5870 Caucasian alleles. In summary, although previously unreported, familial primary dystonia does occur in African-Americans. Genetic analysis of the entire genomic region of THAP1 revealed a novel variant that was specific for African-Americans. Therefore, genetic testing for dystonia and future studies of candidate genes must take genetic background into consideration.

SUBMITTER: Puschmann A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3137742 | biostudies-other | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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An African-American family with dystonia.

Puschmann Andreas A Xiao Jianfeng J Bastian Robert W RW Searcy Jill A JA LeDoux Mark S MS Wszolek Zbigniew K ZK

Parkinsonism & related disorders 20110520 7

The genetic cause of late-onset focal and segmental dystonia remains unknown in most individuals. Recently, mutations in Thanatos-associated protein domain containing, apoptosis associated protein 1 (THAP1) have been described in DYT6 dystonia and associated with some cases of familial and sporadic late-onset dystonia in Caucasians. We are not aware of any previous descriptions of familial dystonia in African-Americans or reports of THAP1 mutations in African-Americans. Herein, we characterize a ...[more]

PMID: 21601506

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Project description:ImportanceUterine fibroids are an understudied condition, with earlier onset in Black than White women. Prior studies of the importance of family history on fibroid development are limited by reliance on hospital-based participant selection, poorly defined measures of family history, and nonsystematic fibroid assessment.ObjectiveTo examine whether family history is a risk factor for fibroid development using prospective ultrasonography data to identify incident fibroids and measure fibroid growth and standardized methods to ascertain family history.Design, setting, and participantsThis prospective community cohort of Black and African American women from the Detroit, Michigan, area was conducted from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018, using 4 standardized ultrasonographic examinations during 5 years to detect fibroids 0.5 cm or larger in diameter and measure fibroid growth. Data analysis was performed between May 2022 and January 2024.ExposuresMaternal fibroid history data were gathered directly from participants' mothers when possible (1425/1628 [88%]), and 2 exposure variables were created: maternal history of fibroids (diagnosed vs not diagnosed) and age at maternal fibroid diagnosis (20-29, 30-39, or ≥40 years vs not diagnosed).Main outcomes and measuresFibroid incidence was assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models; fibroid growth was calculated as change in log-volume per 18 months for fibroids matched at successive ultrasonograms.ResultsA total of 1610 self-identified Black and/or African American women aged 23 to 35 years (mean [SD] age, 29.2 [3.4] years) with no prior clinical diagnosis of fibroids at enrollment were available for analysis. Of 1187 fibroid-free participants at enrollment, 442 (37%) had mothers who were diagnosed with fibroids. Compared with participants without a maternal history of fibroids, those reporting maternal history had an adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) of 1.21 (95% CI, 0.96-1.52). Risk was strongest in those whose mothers were diagnosed at a younger age (20-29 years: AHR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.11-2.21; 30-39 years: AHR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.71-1.49; ≥40 years: AHR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.81-1.52; P = .053 for trend). Fibroid growth rates were higher when mothers were diagnosed with fibroids vs not diagnosed (8.0% increased growth; 95% CI, -1.2% to 18.0%).Conclusions and relevanceIn this prospective cohort study, results supported maternal history of fibroids as a risk factor for incident fibroids, especially when mothers were diagnosed at a younger age. Maternal history was also associated with increased fibroid growth. Asking patients about their family history of fibroids could encourage patient self-advocacy and inform care.

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An African-American family with dystonia.

Publications

An African-American family with dystonia.

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