Project description:OBJECTIVE:To characterize the clinical and genetic features of cervical dystonia (CD). METHODS:Participants enrolled in the Dystonia Coalition biorepository (NCT01373424) with initial manifestation as CD were included in this study (n = 1,000). Data intake included demographics, family history, and the Global Dystonia Rating Scale. Participants were screened for sequence variants (SVs) in GNAL, THAP1, and Exon 5 of TOR1A. RESULTS:The majority of participants were Caucasian (95%) and female (75%). The mean age at onset and disease duration were 45.5 ± 13.6 and 14.6 ± 11.8 years, respectively. At the time of assessment, 68.5% had involvement limited to the neck, shoulder(s), and proximal arm(s), whereas 47.4% had dystonia limited to the neck. The remaining 31.5% of the individuals exhibited more extensive anatomical spread. A head tremor was noted in 62% of the patients. Head tremor and laryngeal dystonia were more common in females. Psychiatric comorbidities, mainly depression and anxiety, were reported by 32% of the participants and were more common in females. Family histories of dystonia, parkinsonian disorder, and tremor were present in 14%, 11%, and 29% of the patients, respectively. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic SVs in THAP1, TOR1A, and GNAL were identified in 8 participants (0.8%). Two individuals harbored novel missense SVs in Exon 5 of TOR1A. Synonymous and noncoding SVs in THAP1 and GNAL were identified in 4% of the cohort. CONCLUSIONS:Head tremor, laryngeal dystonia, and psychiatric comorbidities are more common in female participants with CD. Coding and noncoding variants in GNAL, THAP1, and TOR1A make small contributions to the pathogenesis of CD.
Project description:To elicit a dystonia-like phenotype in a genetically predisposed DYT-TOR1A mouse model (DYT1KI) by performing a right sciatic nerve crush injury. To identify novel pathophysiological pathways and possible biomarker, we performed a multi-omic analysis of three dystonia-relevant brain regions
Project description:To elicit a dystonia-like phenotype in a genetically predisposed DYT-TOR1A mouse model (DYT1KI) by performing a right sciatic nerve crush injury. To identify novel pathophysiological pathways and possible biomarker, we performed a multi-omic analysis of three dystonia-relevant brain regions
Project description:DYT-TOR1A dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. Despite being the most common monogenetic form of dystonia, its pathophysiolofy remains unclear. With a reduced penetrance of about 30%, there is a suggestion that extragenetic factors are needed to develeop a dystonic phenotype. In the present study, we induced a sciatic nerve crush injury in a genetically predisposed DYT-TOR1A mouse model (DYT1KI) to evoke a dystonic phenotype. Subsequently, we employed a multi-omic approach to uncover novel pathophysiological pathways associated with DYT-TOR1A dystonia. Utilizing a deep-learning-based characterization of the dystonic phenotype, we observed that nerve-injured DYT1KI animals exhibited significantly more dystonia-like movement (DLM) compared to naive DYT1KI animals, with noticeable effects as early as two weeks post-surgery. Moreover, nerve-injured DT1KI mice displayed significantly more DLM than their wildtype (wt) counterparts starting 6 weeks post-injury. In the cerebellum of nerve-injured wt mice, multi-omice analysis indicated regulatory changes in translation-related processes, a phenomenon not observed in the cerebellum of nerve-injured DYT1KI mice; instead, these changes were localized to the cortex and striatum. Our findings suggest a failure of translational compensatory mechanisms in the cerebellum of phenotypic DY1KI mice displaying DLM, while dysregulations in translation in the cortex and striatum likely contribute to the promotion of the dystonic phenotype.
Project description:Gene expression studies were performed to identify pathways possibly dysregulated by mutant in the gene GM-NM-1(olf). These experiments employed RNA derived from lymphoblastoid cell lines established for 4 affected carriers and 4 non-carriers. In comparison to endogenous control and other dystonia-associated genes, GNAL was expressed at relatively low levels in lymphoblastoid cell lines. Comparison of whole blood expression profiles of mutation carrying dystonia patients with normal controls
Project description:Background:Physical examination findings of dystonia are often underrecognized, especially in the setting of other movement disorders such as essential tremor (ET). Phenomenology Shown:A patient with ET exhibited numerous textbook features of cervical dystonia, which were misattributed to ET by a primary care physician and two neurologists. Educational Value:To provide a clear and unmistakable visual example of the clinically significant characteristics of cervical dystonia in the setting of concomitant ET.
Project description:Primary cervical dystonia is the most common form of adult-onset focal dystonia. Although most frequently sporadic, 15-20% of patients report a positive family history, suggesting a possible genetic cause. Head tremor is often present in patients with cervical dystonia and may be a prominent symptom.To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with tremulous cervical dystonia.Patients with primary cervical dystonia attending our botulinum toxin clinic were assessed with an interview and neurological examination and their notes reviewed. Patients were classified as having either tremulous or non-tremulous cervical dystonia, according to the presence or absence of head tremor on examination. Clinical and demographic data were compared between groups.From 273 patients included (190 females, 83 males), 125 (46%) were classified as tremulous and 148 (54%) as non-tremulous. Tremulous patients were more likely to have a segmental distribution (61% vs. 25%), often involving the arms (48%), and had more frequently associated arm tremor (55% vs. 10%). A positive family history of dystonia and/or tremor was more frequent in tremulous patients (50% vs. 18%).Patients with cervical dystonia with associated head tremor are more likely to have a segmental distribution (with frequent arm involvement), associated arm tremor and a positive family history, suggesting a genetic etiology in this subgroup of patients.