Familial adult spinal muscular atrophy associated with the VAPB gene: report of 42 cases in Brazil

Familial spinal muscular atrophy (FSMA) associated with the vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB) gene is a rare autosomal dominant disease with late onset and slow progression. We studied 10 of 42 patients from 5 families by taking clinical histories and performing physica...

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Main Authors: Victor Kosac, Marcos R. G. de Freitas, Frederico M. Prado, Osvaldo J. M. Nascimento, Caroline Bittar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Revinter Publicações 2013-10-01
Series:Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2013001100788&lng=en&tlng=en
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author Victor Kosac
Marcos R. G. de Freitas
Frederico M. Prado
Osvaldo J. M. Nascimento
Caroline Bittar
author_facet Victor Kosac
Marcos R. G. de Freitas
Frederico M. Prado
Osvaldo J. M. Nascimento
Caroline Bittar
author_sort Victor Kosac
collection DOAJ
description Familial spinal muscular atrophy (FSMA) associated with the vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB) gene is a rare autosomal dominant disease with late onset and slow progression. We studied 10 of 42 patients from 5 families by taking clinical histories and performing physical exams, electrophysiological studies, and genetic tests. All patients presented late onset disease with slow progression characterized by fasciculations, proximal weakness, amyotrophy, and hypoactive deep tendon reflex, except two who exhibited brisk reflex. Two patients showed tongue fasciculations and respiratory insufficiency. Electrophysiological studies revealed patterns of lower motor neuron disease, and genetic testing identified a P56S mutation of the VAPB gene. Although it is a rare motor neuron disease, FSMA with this mutation might be much more prevalent in Brazil than expected, and many cases may be undiagnosed. Genetic exams should be performed whenever it is suspected in Brazil.
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spelling doaj-art-239cc2e2581b4119b90ed9e41108c42e2025-08-20T02:04:15ZengThieme Revinter PublicaçõesArquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria1678-42272013-10-01711078879010.1590/0004-282X20130123S0004-282X2013001100788Familial adult spinal muscular atrophy associated with the VAPB gene: report of 42 cases in BrazilVictor KosacMarcos R. G. de FreitasFrederico M. PradoOsvaldo J. M. NascimentoCaroline BittarFamilial spinal muscular atrophy (FSMA) associated with the vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B (VAPB) gene is a rare autosomal dominant disease with late onset and slow progression. We studied 10 of 42 patients from 5 families by taking clinical histories and performing physical exams, electrophysiological studies, and genetic tests. All patients presented late onset disease with slow progression characterized by fasciculations, proximal weakness, amyotrophy, and hypoactive deep tendon reflex, except two who exhibited brisk reflex. Two patients showed tongue fasciculations and respiratory insufficiency. Electrophysiological studies revealed patterns of lower motor neuron disease, and genetic testing identified a P56S mutation of the VAPB gene. Although it is a rare motor neuron disease, FSMA with this mutation might be much more prevalent in Brazil than expected, and many cases may be undiagnosed. Genetic exams should be performed whenever it is suspected in Brazil.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2013001100788&lng=en&tlng=enatrofia muscular progressiva familiargene VAPBgenetica
spellingShingle Victor Kosac
Marcos R. G. de Freitas
Frederico M. Prado
Osvaldo J. M. Nascimento
Caroline Bittar
Familial adult spinal muscular atrophy associated with the VAPB gene: report of 42 cases in Brazil
Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria
atrofia muscular progressiva familiar
gene VAPB
genetica
title Familial adult spinal muscular atrophy associated with the VAPB gene: report of 42 cases in Brazil
title_full Familial adult spinal muscular atrophy associated with the VAPB gene: report of 42 cases in Brazil
title_fullStr Familial adult spinal muscular atrophy associated with the VAPB gene: report of 42 cases in Brazil
title_full_unstemmed Familial adult spinal muscular atrophy associated with the VAPB gene: report of 42 cases in Brazil
title_short Familial adult spinal muscular atrophy associated with the VAPB gene: report of 42 cases in Brazil
title_sort familial adult spinal muscular atrophy associated with the vapb gene report of 42 cases in brazil
topic atrofia muscular progressiva familiar
gene VAPB
genetica
url http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2013001100788&lng=en&tlng=en
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