Abstract

VAN COLLER, R; SCHUTTE, C-M; LUBBE, E  and  NGELE, B. TOR1A mutation-related isolated childhood-onset generalised dystonia in South Africa. SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. [online]. 2021, vol.111, n.10, pp.946-949. ISSN 2078-5135.  http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/samj.2021.v111i10.15801.

BACKGROUND: Childhood-onset generalised dystonia is commonly caused by T0R1A mutations and is known to respond well to pallidal deep-brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. The incidence and prevalence of monogenic dystonia in individuals from Africa and specifically of African ancestry are unknown, and no local cases of T0R1A mutation dystonia are found in the literatureOBJECTIVES: To describe our experience with the outcome of T0R1A mutation-positive patients with isolated generalised dystonia (IGD) of childhood onset who were treated with pallidal DBSMETHODS: All patients with T0R1A mutations from Steve Biko Academic Hospital and the Pretoria Neurology Institute in Pretoria, South Africa (SA), who underwent DBS for IGD of childhood onset were identified. We conducted a retrospective analysis of their demographics, clinical presentation and time to generalisation, genetic status and family history, and response to DBS treatment of the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi), utilising pre- and post-surgical scores of the United Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRSRESULTS: Three patients, all of black African ancestry, were identified. The median age at onset was 12 years and the median time to surgery from dystonia generalisation was 3 years. Two children presented with cervical-onset dystonia. Two patients were related, representing the only two with a positive family history. All three patients had a positive outcome after surgery, with improvement of 67 - 90% on the UDRS recorded at last follow-upCONCLUSIONS: TOR1A mutations are found in SA patients of black African ancestry, with age of onset and generalisation comparable to those described in international studies. However, onset with cervical dystonia was more common than previously reported. Response to GPi DBS was excellent in all patients

        · text in English     · English ( pdf )