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ObjectiveVariants inSCN8Aare associated with a spectrum of epilepsies and neurodevelopmental disorders. Ataxia as a predominant symptom ofSCN8Avariation has not been well studied. We set out to investigate disease mechanisms and genotype-phenotype correlations ofSCN8A-related ataxia.MethodsWe collected genetic and electro-clinical data of ten individuals from nine unrelated families carrying novelSCN8Avariants associated with chronic progressive or episodic ataxia. Electrophysiological characterizations of these variants were performed in ND7/23 cells and cultured neurons.ResultsVariants associated with chronic progressive ataxia either significantly decreased Na+current densities and shifted activation curves towards more depolarized potentials (p.Asn995Asp, p.Lys1498Glu and p.Trp1266Cys) or resulted in a premature stop codon (p.Trp937Ter), i.e. strong loss-of-function (LOF) effects. Three variants (p.Arg847Gln and biallelic p.Arg191Trp/p.Asp1525Tyr) were associated with episodic ataxia causing LOF by decreasing Na+current densities or a hyperpolarizing shift of the inactivation curve. Two additional episodic ataxia-associated variants caused mixed gain-and loss-of function effects in ND7/23 cells and were further examined in primary murine hippocampal neuronal cultures. Neuronal firing in excitatory neurons was increased by p.Arg1629His, but decreased by p.Glu1201Lys. Neuronal firing in inhibitory neurons was decreased for both variants. No functional effect was observed for p.Arg1913Trp. In four individuals, treatment with sodium channel blockers exacerbated symptoms.InterpretationWe identified episodic or chronic ataxia as new phenotypes caused by variants inSCN8A. Genotype-phenotype correlations revealed a more pronounced LOF effect for variants causing chronic ataxia. Sodium channel blockers should be avoided under these conditions.Summary for Social MediaTwitter handles@cmbosselmann, @FiladelfiaGene1, @Katrine92658231, @ElegardellaWhat is the current knowledge on the topic?Variants inSCN8A, a gene encoding the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.6, are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, including epilepsy, intellectual disability, and autism spectrum disorder.What question did this study address?This study investigated whetherSCN8Avariants can cause predominant episodic or chronic ataxia, as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these variants.What does this study add to our knowledge?Episodic or chronic ataxia as a sole or predominant symptom caused by NaV1.6 channel loss-of-function comprise new phenotypes in the broad spectrum associated withSCN8Adysfunction. Genotype-phenotype correlations help to differentiate between chronic and episodic ataxia.How might this potentially impact on the practice of neurology?Loss-of-functionSCN8Avariants may represent an underdiagnosed etiology in hereditary ataxia. Treatment with sodium channel blockers, commonly prescribed in other types of episodic ataxia, may harm these individuals, and should be avoided.

Background: Sporadic adult-onset ataxias without known genetic or acquired cause are subdivided into multiple system atrophy of cerebellar type (MSA-C) and sporadic adult-onset ataxia of unknown etiology (SAOA). Objectives: To study the differential evolution of both conditions including plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers. Methods: SPORTAX is a prospective registry of sporadic ataxia patients with an onset >40 years. Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia was the primary outcome measure. In subgroups, blood samples were taken and MRIs performed. Plasma NfL was measured via a single molecule assay. Regional brain volumes were automatically measured. To assess signal changes, we defined the pons and middle cerebellar peduncle abnormality score (PMAS). Using mixed-effects models, we analyzed changes on a time scale starting with ataxia onset. Results: Of 404 patients without genetic diagnosis, 130 met criteria of probable MSA-C at baseline and 26 during follow-up suggesting clinical conversion to MSA-C. The remaining 248 were classified as SAOA. At baseline, NfL, cerebellar white matter (CWM) and pons volume, and PMAS separated MSA-C from SAOA. NfL decreased in MSA-C and did not change in SAOA. CWM and pons volume decreased faster, whereas PMAS increased faster in MSA-C. In MSA-C, pons volume had highest sensitivity to change, and PMAS was a predictor of faster progression. Fulfillment of possible MSA criteria, NfL and PMAS were risk factors, CWM and pons volume protective factors for conversion to MSA-C. Conclusions: This study provides detailed information on differential evolution and prognostic relevance of biomarkers in MSA-C and SAOA. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Neurological syndromes associated with glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies provide a challenge in understanding disease pathogenesis, interpreting antibody results, and deciding manage- ment. We retrospectively reviewed 277 patients with positive anti-GAD antibodies (≥ 10 IU/mL) at our centre between 2012-2020. 154 (56%) had one or more neurological disorders including 27 stiff person spectrum disorders (SPSD) (18%), 20 cerebellar ataxia (13%), 18 epilepsy (12%), 18 encephalitis (12%),12 ‘mixed’ (8%), and 59 other neurological disorders (38%). Co-existing autoimmunity was common; 57 (33%) had diabetes and 46 autoimmune thyroid disease (30%). A wide range of GAD titres was seen, but serum GAD antibody titres were significantly higher in patients with ‘classical’ GAD antibody syndromes than other neurological disorders (p

Background Movement changes in autosomal-dominant spinocerebellar ataxias are suggested to occur many years before clinical manifestation. Detecting and quantifying these changes in the preclinical phase offers a window for future treatment interventions and allows the clinician to decipher the earliest dysfunctions starting the evolution of spinocerebellar ataxia. We hypothesized that quantitative movement analysis of complex stance and gait tasks allows to (i) reveal movement changes already at early stages of the preclinical phase when clinical ataxia signs are still absent and to (ii) quantify motor progression in this phase. Methods A total of 46 participants (14 preclinical spinocerebellar ataxia mutation carriers [spinocerebellar ataxias 1,2,3,6], 9 spinocerebellar ataxia patients at an early stage; 23 healthy controls) were assessed by quantitative movement analyses of increasingly complex stance and walking tasks in a cross-sectional design. Results Body sway in stance and spatiotemporal variability in tandem walking differentiated between preclinical mutation carriers and healthy controls (P

Niemann–Pick disease type C (NP-C) is a rare multisystemic lysosomal disorder which, albeit treatable, is still starkly underdiagnosed. As NP-C features early onset ataxia (EOA) in 85–90 % of cases, EOA presents a promising target group for undiagnosed NP-C patients. Here, we assessed the ability of the previously established NP-C suspicion index (SI) and a novel abbreviated ‘2/3 SI’ tool for rapid appraisal of suspected NP-C in unexplained EOA. This was a retrospective observational study comparing ‘NP-C EOA’ cases (EOA patients with confirmed NP-C) with non-NP-C EOA controls (EOA patients negative for NP-C gene mutations). NP-C risk prediction scores (RPS) from both the original and 2/3 SIs were calculated and their discriminatory performance evaluated. Among 133 patients (47 NP-C EOA cases; 86 non-NP-C EOA controls), moderate (40–69 points) and high (≥70 points) RPS were common based on original SI assessments in non-NP-C EOA controls [16 (19 %) and 8 (9 %), respectively], but scores ≥70 points were far more frequent [46 (98 %)] among NP-C EOA cases. RPS cut-off values provided 98 % sensitivity and 91 % specificity for NP-C at 70-point cut-off, and ROC analysis revealed an AUC of 0.982. Using the 2/3 SI, 90 % of NP-C EOA cases had scores of 2 or 3, and RPS analysis showed an AUC of 0.961. In conclusion, the NP-C SI and the new, quick-to-apply 2/3 SI distinguished well between NP-C and non-NP-C patients, even in EOA populations with high background levels of broadly NPC-compatible multisystemic disease features. While the original SI showed the greatest sensitivity, both tools reliably aided identification of patients with unexplained EOA who warranted further investigation for NP-C. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00415-016-8178-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Treatment options are rare in degenerative ataxias, especially in advanced, multisystemic disease. Exergame training might offer a novel treatment strategy, but its effectiveness has not been investigated in advanced stages.We examined the effectiveness of a 12-week home-based training with body-controlled videogames in 10 young subjects with advanced degenerative ataxia unable or barely able to stand. Training was structured in two 6-weeks phases, allowing to adapt the training according to individual training progress. Rater-blinded clinical assessment (Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia; SARA), individual goal-attainment scoring (GAS), and quantitative movement analysis were performed two weeks before training, immediately prior to training, and after training phases 1 and 2 (intra-individual control design). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02874911).After intervention, ataxia symptoms were reduced (SARA -2.5 points, p 0.01), with benefits correlating to the amount of training (p = 0.04). Goal attainment during daily living was higher than expected (GAS: 0.45). Movement analysis revealed reduced body sway while sitting (p 0.01), which correlated with improvements in SARA posture and gait (p = 0.005), indicating training-induced improvements in posture control mechanisms.This study provides first evidence that, even in advanced stages, subjects with degenerative ataxia may benefit from individualized training, with effects translating into daily living and improving underlying control mechanisms. The proposed training strategy can be performed at home, is motivating and facilitates patient self-empowerment.

Movement changes in autosomal-dominant spinocerebellar ataxias are suggested to occur many years before clinical manifestation. Detecting and quantifying these changes in the preclinical phase offers a window for future treatment interventions and allows the clinician to decipher the earliest dysfunctions starting the evolution of spinocerebellar ataxia. We hypothesized that quantitative movement analysis of complex stance and gait tasks allows to (i) reveal movement changes already at early stages of the preclinical phase when clinical ataxia signs are still absent and to (ii) quantify motor progression in this phase.A total of 46 participants (14 preclinical spinocerebellar ataxia mutation carriers [spinocerebellar ataxias 1,2,3,6], 9 spinocerebellar ataxia patients at an early stage; 23 healthy controls) were assessed by quantitative movement analyses of increasingly complex stance and walking tasks in a cross-sectional design.Body sway in stance and spatiotemporal variability in tandem walking differentiated between preclinical mutation carriers and healthy controls (P .01). Complex movement conditions allowed one to discriminate even those mutation carriers without any clinical signs in posture and gait (SARAOur results provide evidence for subclinical motor changes in spinocerebellar ataxia, which allow to discriminate patients without clinical signs even on a single-subject basis and may help capture disease progression in the preclinical phase. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.