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Spinocerebellar ataxia, autosomal recessive 31(SCAR31)

MedGen UID:
1786855
Concept ID:
C5543627
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: SCAR31; SPINOCEREBELLAR ATAXIA, AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE 31
 
Gene (location): ATG7 (3p25.3)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0030323
OMIM®: 619422

Definition

Autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia-31 (SCAR31) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by global developmental delay with hypotonia and variably impaired intellectual and language development. Affected individuals have an ataxic gait, tremor, and dysarthria; more severely affected patients also have spasticity with inability to walk. Most have optic atrophy. Brain imaging shows cerebellar hypoplasia, enlarged ventricles, and atrophy of the posterior corpus callosum. Additional features may include retinitis pigmentosa, sensorineural deafness, dysmorphic facial features, and possibly endocrine dysfunction (summary by Collier et al., 2021). [from OMIM]

Clinical features

From HPO
Pes cavus
MedGen UID:
675590
Concept ID:
C0728829
Congenital Abnormality
An increase in height of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot that does not flatten on weight bearing (i.e., a distinctly hollow form of the sole of the foot when it is bearing weight).
Clinodactyly of the 5th finger
MedGen UID:
340456
Concept ID:
C1850049
Congenital Abnormality
Clinodactyly refers to a bending or curvature of the fifth finger in the radial direction (i.e., towards the 4th finger).
Growth delay
MedGen UID:
99124
Concept ID:
C0456070
Pathologic Function
A deficiency or slowing down of growth pre- and postnatally.
Dysphagia
MedGen UID:
41440
Concept ID:
C0011168
Disease or Syndrome
Difficulty in swallowing.
Feeding difficulties
MedGen UID:
65429
Concept ID:
C0232466
Finding
Impaired ability to eat related to problems gathering food and getting ready to suck, chew, or swallow it.
Bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment
MedGen UID:
96788
Concept ID:
C0452138
Disease or Syndrome
A bilateral form of sensorineural hearing impairment.
Bruxism
MedGen UID:
676
Concept ID:
C0006325
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Bruxism is characterized by the grinding of the teeth including the clenching of the jaw and typically occur during sleep, but also can occur while the affected individual is awake.
Cerebellar ataxia
MedGen UID:
849
Concept ID:
C0007758
Disease or Syndrome
Cerebellar ataxia refers to ataxia due to dysfunction of the cerebellum. This causes a variety of elementary neurological deficits including asynergy (lack of coordination between muscles, limbs and joints), dysmetria (lack of ability to judge distances that can lead to under- or overshoot in grasping movements), and dysdiadochokinesia (inability to perform rapid movements requiring antagonizing muscle groups to be switched on and off repeatedly).
Dysarthria
MedGen UID:
8510
Concept ID:
C0013362
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Dysarthric speech is a general description referring to a neurological speech disorder characterized by poor articulation. Depending on the involved neurological structures, dysarthria may be further classified as spastic, flaccid, ataxic, hyperkinetic and hypokinetic, or mixed.
Dyskinesia
MedGen UID:
8514
Concept ID:
C0013384
Disease or Syndrome
A movement disorder which consists of effects including diminished voluntary movements and the presence of involuntary movements.
Dystonic disorder
MedGen UID:
3940
Concept ID:
C0013421
Sign or Symptom
An abnormally increased muscular tone that causes fixed abnormal postures. There is a slow, intermittent twisting motion that leads to exaggerated turning and posture of the extremities and trunk.
Schizophrenia
MedGen UID:
48574
Concept ID:
C0036341
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Schizophrenia is highly heritable, as shown by family, twin, and adoption studies. For example, for identical twins, if one twin develops schizophrenia, the other twin has about a 50% chance of also developing the disease. The risk of the general population developing the schizophrenia is about 0.3-0.7% worldwide. The search for “schizophrenia genes” has been elusive. Initial linkage studies looked at parts of the genome associated with schizophrenia, and many candidate genes were identified, including APOE, COMT, DAO, DRD1, DRD2, DRD4, DTNBP1, GABRB2, GRIN2B, HP, IL1B, MTHFR, PLXNA2, SLC6A4, TP53, and TPH1. However, some of these have later been questioned. Microdeletions and microduplications have been found to be three times more common in individuals with schizophrenia, compared to controls. Because these deletions and duplications are in genes that are overexpressed in pathways related to brain development, it is possible that the inheritance of multiple rare variants may contribute to the development of schizophrenia. Several genetic disorders feature schizophrenia as a clinical feature. The 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome comprises many different syndromes, of which one of the most serious is DiGeorge syndrome. Children born with DiGeorge syndrome typically have heart defects, cleft palate, learning difficulties, and immune deficiency. Schizophrenia is a late manifestation, affecting around 30% of individuals. Microdeletions and duplications in chromosome 1, 2, 3, 7, 15 and 16 have also been associated with schizophrenia. In 2014, a genome-wide association study looked at the genomes of over 35,000 patients and 110,00 controls. The study identified 108 SNPs that were associated with schizophrenia, 83 of which had not been previously reported. As expected, many of these loci occurred in genes that are expressed in the brain. For example, the SNPs included a gene that encodes the dopamine D2 receptor, DRD2 (the target of antipsychotic drugs), and many genes involved in glutamine neurotransmitter pathways and synaptic plasticity (e.g., GRM3, GRIN2A, SRR, GRIA1). More surprisingly, however, associations were also enriched among genes expressed in tissues with important immune functions. In 2016, a study based on nearly 65,000 people investigated the association between schizophrenia and variation in the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) locus—a region on chromosome 6 that is important for immune function. The study focused on the C4 gene (complement component 4) that exists as two distinct genes: C4A and C4B, which encode particularly structurally diverse alleles. The study found that the alleles which promoted greater expression of C4A in the brain were associated with a greater risk of schizophrenia. By using mice models, the study showed that C4 is involved in the elimination of synapses during brain maturation. In humans, “synaptic pruning” is most active during late adolescence, which coincides with the typical onset of symptoms of schizophrenia. It is therefore possible that the inheritance of specific C4A alleles could lead to “run away” synaptic pruning, increasing the risk of schizophrenia. Further research may even determine C4 as a potential therapeutic target.
Seizure
MedGen UID:
20693
Concept ID:
C0036572
Sign or Symptom
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterized by a transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain.
Self-mutilation
MedGen UID:
19925
Concept ID:
C0036601
Injury or Poisoning
Deliberate harm to one's body resulting in tissue damage, without a conscious intent to die.
Tremor
MedGen UID:
21635
Concept ID:
C0040822
Sign or Symptom
An unintentional, oscillating to-and-fro muscle movement about a joint axis.
Choreoathetosis
MedGen UID:
39313
Concept ID:
C0085583
Disease or Syndrome
Involuntary movements characterized by both athetosis (inability to sustain muscles in a fixed position) and chorea (widespread jerky arrhythmic movements).
Encephalopathy
MedGen UID:
39314
Concept ID:
C0085584
Disease or Syndrome
Encephalopathy is a term that means brain disease, damage, or malfunction. In general, encephalopathy is manifested by an altered mental state.
Cerebral atrophy
MedGen UID:
116012
Concept ID:
C0235946
Disease or Syndrome
Atrophy (wasting, decrease in size of cells or tissue) affecting the cerebrum.
Delayed ability to walk
MedGen UID:
66034
Concept ID:
C0241726
Finding
A failure to achieve the ability to walk at an appropriate developmental stage. Most children learn to walk in a series of stages, and learn to walk short distances independently between 12 and 15 months.
Cerebellar hypoplasia
MedGen UID:
120578
Concept ID:
C0266470
Congenital Abnormality
Cerebellar hypoplasia is a descriptive term implying a cerebellum with a reduced volume, but a normal shape and is stable over time.
Delayed speech and language development
MedGen UID:
105318
Concept ID:
C0454644
Finding
A degree of language development that is significantly below the norm for a child of a specified age.
Autistic behavior
MedGen UID:
163547
Concept ID:
C0856975
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Persistent deficits in social interaction and communication and interaction as well as a markedly restricted repertoire of activity and interest as well as repetitive patterns of behavior.
Absent speech
MedGen UID:
340737
Concept ID:
C1854882
Finding
Complete lack of development of speech and language abilities.
Posterior atrophy of corpus callosum
MedGen UID:
1786962
Concept ID:
C5543630
Disease or Syndrome
The presence of atrophy (wasting) of the posterior portion of the corpus callosum.
Retrognathia
MedGen UID:
19766
Concept ID:
C0035353
Congenital Abnormality
An abnormality in which the mandible is mislocalised posteriorly.
Muscle weakness
MedGen UID:
57735
Concept ID:
C0151786
Finding
Reduced strength of muscles.
Lumbar kyphoscoliosis
MedGen UID:
371940
Concept ID:
C1834953
Finding
Axial hypotonia
MedGen UID:
342959
Concept ID:
C1853743
Finding
Muscular hypotonia (abnormally low muscle tone) affecting the musculature of the trunk.
Pectus excavatum
MedGen UID:
781174
Concept ID:
C2051831
Finding
A defect of the chest wall characterized by a depression of the sternum, giving the chest ("pectus") a caved-in ("excavatum") appearance.
Hypernasal speech
MedGen UID:
107884
Concept ID:
C0566620
Finding
A type of speech characterized by the presence of an abnormally increased nasal airflow during speech associated with structural abnormality of the nasal passages.
High palate
MedGen UID:
66814
Concept ID:
C0240635
Congenital Abnormality
Height of the palate more than 2 SD above the mean (objective) or palatal height at the level of the first permanent molar more than twice the height of the teeth (subjective).
Gingival overgrowth
MedGen UID:
87712
Concept ID:
C0376480
Finding
Hyperplasia of the gingiva (that is, a thickening of the soft tissue overlying the alveolar ridge. The degree of thickening ranges from involvement of the interdental papillae alone to gingival overgrowth covering the entire tooth crown.
Smooth philtrum
MedGen UID:
222980
Concept ID:
C1142533
Finding
Flat skin surface, with no ridge formation in the central region of the upper lip between the nasal base and upper vermilion border.
Long face
MedGen UID:
324419
Concept ID:
C1836047
Finding
Facial height (length) is more than 2 standard deviations above the mean (objective); or, an apparent increase in the height (length) of the face (subjective).
Ptosis
MedGen UID:
2287
Concept ID:
C0005745
Disease or Syndrome
The upper eyelid margin is positioned 3 mm or more lower than usual and covers the superior portion of the iris (objective); or, the upper lid margin obscures at least part of the pupil (subjective).
Optic atrophy
MedGen UID:
18180
Concept ID:
C0029124
Disease or Syndrome
Atrophy of the optic nerve. Optic atrophy results from the death of the retinal ganglion cell axons that comprise the optic nerve and manifesting as a pale optic nerve on fundoscopy.
Retinopathy
MedGen UID:
11209
Concept ID:
C0035309
Disease or Syndrome
Any noninflammatory disease of the retina. This nonspecific term is retained here because of its wide use in the literature, but if possible new annotations should indicate the precise type of retinal abnormality.
Strabismus
MedGen UID:
21337
Concept ID:
C0038379
Disease or Syndrome
A misalignment of the eyes so that the visual axes deviate from bifoveal fixation. The classification of strabismus may be based on a number of features including the relative position of the eyes, whether the deviation is latent or manifest, intermittent or constant, concomitant or otherwise and according to the age of onset and the relevance of any associated refractive error.
External ophthalmoplegia
MedGen UID:
57662
Concept ID:
C0162292
Disease or Syndrome
Paralysis of the external ocular muscles.

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Abitbol M, Jagannathan V, Laurent N, Noblet E, Dutil GF, Troupel T, de Dufaure de Citres C, Gache V, Blot S, Escriou C, Leeb T
Anim Genet 2022 Oct;53(5):709-712. Epub 2022 Jul 21 doi: 10.1111/age.13245. PMID: 35864734Free PMC Article
Lai KL, Liao YC, Tsai PC, Hsiao CT, Soong BW, Lee YC
Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2019 Sep;66:220-223. Epub 2019 Aug 7 doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2019.08.004. PMID: 31422002
Koutsis G, Kladi A, Karadima G, Houlden H, Wood NW, Christodoulou K, Panas M
J Neurol Sci 2014 Jan 15;336(1-2):87-92. Epub 2013 Oct 16 doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.10.012. PMID: 24209901
Krieger M, Roos A, Stendel C, Claeys KG, Sonmez FM, Baudis M, Bauer P, Bornemann A, de Goede C, Dufke A, Finkel RS, Goebel HH, Häussler M, Kingston H, Kirschner J, Medne L, Muschke P, Rivier F, Rudnik-Schöneborn S, Spengler S, Inzana F, Stanzial F, Benedicenti F, Synofzik M, Lia Taratuto A, Pirra L, Tay SK, Topaloglu H, Uyanik G, Wand D, Williams D, Zerres K, Weis J, Senderek J
Brain 2013 Dec;136(Pt 12):3634-44. Epub 2013 Oct 30 doi: 10.1093/brain/awt283. PMID: 24176978
Pietrobon D
Mol Neurobiol 2002 Feb;25(1):31-50. doi: 10.1385/MN:25:1:031. PMID: 11890456

Diagnosis

Magri S, Nanetti L, Gellera C, Sarto E, Rizzo E, Mongelli A, Ricci B, Fancellu R, Sambati L, Cortelli P, Brusco A, Bruzzone MG, Mariotti C, Di Bella D, Taroni F
Genet Med 2022 Jan;24(1):29-40. Epub 2021 Nov 30 doi: 10.1016/j.gim.2021.08.003. PMID: 34906452
Merolla S, Borella M, Bassi F, Canonico F, Santilli IM, Grassi MP
Clin Neuropsychol 2022 Nov;36(8):2370-2378. Epub 2021 Aug 29 doi: 10.1080/13854046.2021.1965219. PMID: 34459356
Koutsis G, Kladi A, Karadima G, Houlden H, Wood NW, Christodoulou K, Panas M
J Neurol Sci 2014 Jan 15;336(1-2):87-92. Epub 2013 Oct 16 doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.10.012. PMID: 24209901
Coutinho P, Ruano L, Loureiro JL, Cruz VT, Barros J, Tuna A, Barbot C, Guimarães J, Alonso I, Silveira I, Sequeiros J, Marques Neves J, Serrano P, Silva MC
JAMA Neurol 2013 Jun;70(6):746-55. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2013.1707. PMID: 23609960
Németh AH, Bochukova E, Dunne E, Huson SM, Elston J, Hannan MA, Jackson M, Chapman CJ, Taylor AM
Am J Hum Genet 2000 Nov;67(5):1320-6. Epub 2000 Oct 5 doi: 10.1016/S0002-9297(07)62962-0. PMID: 11022012Free PMC Article

Therapy

Zheng R, Zhao Y, Wu J, Wang Y, Liu JL, Zhou ZL, Zhou XT, Chen DN, Liao WH, Li JD
Mol Med Rep 2018 Jul;18(1):261-267. Epub 2018 May 3 doi: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8955. PMID: 29749493Free PMC Article
Privette ED, Ram G, Treat JR, Yan AC, Heimall JR
Pediatr Dermatol 2014 Nov-Dec;31(6):703-7. Epub 2014 Sep 18 doi: 10.1111/pde.12411. PMID: 25236668
Zlotogora J
Hum Genet 2010 Nov;128(5):473-9. Epub 2010 Sep 18 doi: 10.1007/s00439-010-0890-8. PMID: 20852892
Gatti RA, Berkel I, Boder E, Braedt G, Charmley P, Concannon P, Ersoy F, Foroud T, Jaspers NG, Lange K
Nature 1988 Dec 8;336(6199):577-80. doi: 10.1038/336577a0. PMID: 3200306

Prognosis

Abitbol M, Jagannathan V, Laurent N, Noblet E, Dutil GF, Troupel T, de Dufaure de Citres C, Gache V, Blot S, Escriou C, Leeb T
Anim Genet 2022 Oct;53(5):709-712. Epub 2022 Jul 21 doi: 10.1111/age.13245. PMID: 35864734Free PMC Article
Iodice A, Spagnoli C, Cangini M, Soliani L, Rizzi S, Salerno GG, Frattini D, Pisani F, Fusco C
J Clin Neurosci 2020 Jul;77:232-234. Epub 2020 May 6 doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2020.05.008. PMID: 32387255
Zheng R, Zhao Y, Wu J, Wang Y, Liu JL, Zhou ZL, Zhou XT, Chen DN, Liao WH, Li JD
Mol Med Rep 2018 Jul;18(1):261-267. Epub 2018 May 3 doi: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8955. PMID: 29749493Free PMC Article
Schiess N, Zee DS, Siddiqui KA, Szolics M, El-Hattab AW
J Neurogenet 2017 Mar-Jun;31(1-2):23-25. doi: 10.1080/01677063.2017.1322079. PMID: 28552035
Li A, Swift M
Am J Med Genet 2000 May 29;92(3):170-7. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8628(20000529)92:3<170::aid-ajmg3>3.0.co;2-#. PMID: 10817650

Clinical prediction guides

Merolla S, Borella M, Bassi F, Canonico F, Santilli IM, Grassi MP
Clin Neuropsychol 2022 Nov;36(8):2370-2378. Epub 2021 Aug 29 doi: 10.1080/13854046.2021.1965219. PMID: 34459356
Havla J, Moser M, Sztatecsny C, Lotz-Havla AS, Maier EM, Hizli B, Schinner R, Kümpfel T, Strupp M, Bremova-Ertl T, Schneider SA
J Neurol 2020 Jul;267(7):2070-2082. Epub 2020 Mar 28 doi: 10.1007/s00415-020-09796-2. PMID: 32222928Free PMC Article
Minnerop M, Kurzwelly D, Wagner H, Soehn AS, Reichbauer J, Tao F, Rattay TW, Peitz M, Rehbach K, Giorgetti A, Pyle A, Thiele H, Altmüller J, Timmann D, Karaca I, Lennarz M, Baets J, Hengel H, Synofzik M, Atasu B, Feely S, Kennerson M, Stendel C, Lindig T, Gonzalez MA, Stirnberg R, Sturm M, Roeske S, Jung J, Bauer P, Lohmann E, Herms S, Heilmann-Heimbach S, Nicholson G, Mahanjah M, Sharkia R, Carloni P, Brüstle O, Klopstock T, Mathews KD, Shy ME, de Jonghe P, Chinnery PF, Horvath R, Kohlhase J, Schmitt I, Wolf M, Greschus S, Amunts K, Maier W, Schöls L, Nürnberg P, Zuchner S, Klockgether T, Ramirez A, Schüle R
Brain 2017 Jun 1;140(6):1561-1578. doi: 10.1093/brain/awx095. PMID: 28459997Free PMC Article
Zlotogora J
Hum Genet 2010 Nov;128(5):473-9. Epub 2010 Sep 18 doi: 10.1007/s00439-010-0890-8. PMID: 20852892
Li A, Swift M
Am J Med Genet 2000 May 29;92(3):170-7. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8628(20000529)92:3<170::aid-ajmg3>3.0.co;2-#. PMID: 10817650

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