Tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency unresponsive to L-dopa treatment with unusual clinical and biochemical presentation.
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DE Lonlay P, Nassogne MC, van Gennip AH, van Cruchten AC, Billatte de Villemeur T, Cretz M, Stoll C, Launay JM, Steenberger-Spante GC, van den Heuvel LP, Wevers RA, Saudubray JM, Abeling NG
Tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency unresponsive to L-dopa treatment with unusual clinical and biochemical presentation.
J Inherit Metab Dis. 2000 Dec;23(8):819-25.
- PubMed ID
- 11196107 [ View in PubMed]
- Abstract
Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) deficiency is generally considered as a cause of the autosomal recessive form of dopa-responsive dystonia, also known as Segawa disease. Clinical hallmarks comprise parkinsonian and other extrapyramidal symptoms. Biochemically the defect leads to the defective synthesis of catecholamines, in particular dopamine. The diagnosis relies on a characteristic pattern of biogenic amine metabolites exclusively in the CSF and can be confirmed by establishing a mutation in the TH gene. Here we present a patient meeting all diagnostic criteria, including a new homozygous mutation (926T > C) with confirmed parental heterozygosity, extrapyramidal symptoms, but atypical other symptoms with periodic neurological episodes observed every 4 days and unresponsive to dopa treatment. The CSF biochemical abnormalities were severe. Uncharacteristically, a strongly abnormal urinary catecholamine metabolite pattern was also consistently observed. The atypical presentation of this patient shows that the clinical and metabolic phenotype of TH deficiency is more variable than formerly thought, and that the condition should no longer be considered as a treatable disorder per se.