Alpers syndrome: the natural history of a case highlighting neuroimaging, neuropathology, and fat metabolism.

Abstract

Mitochondrial diseases are increasingly being recognized as causes of encephalopathy and intractable epilepsy. There is no gold-standard test for diagnosing mitochondrial disease, and the current diagnosis relies on establishing a consistent pattern of evidence from clinical data, neuroimaging, tissue biopsy, and biochemical, genetic, and other investigations. Experience in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with certain forms of mitochondrial disease, such as Alpers syndrome, is largely gained from case reports or small case series. The authors describe a case of Alpers syndrome due to POLG1 mutations, including serial neuroimaging and pathological investigations, to illustrate two main points: (1) Unique characteristics evident on serial diffusion-weighted imaging can be a valuable indicator of Alpers syndrome; and (2) abnormal lipid metabolism can be present in Alpers syndrome, which may need to be considered when using a ketogenic diet.

• Authors: Aneal Khan, Cynthia Trevenen, Xing-Chang Wei, Harvey B Sarnat, Eric Payne, Adam Kirton
• Journal: Journal of child neurology (J Child Neurol) Vol. 27 Issue 5 Pg. 636-40 (May 2012) ISSN: 1708-8283 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22114215 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Lactic Acid
• DNA Polymerase gamma
• DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
• POLG protein, human

Topics

• Biopsy
• DNA Polymerase gamma
• DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase (genetics)
• Diffuse Cerebral Sclerosis of Schilder (genetics, metabolism, pathology, physiopathology)
• Frontal Lobe (pathology)
• Humans
• Infant
• Lactic Acid (metabolism)
• Lipid Metabolism
• Liver (pathology, ultrastructure)
• Male
• Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
• Mitochondria (pathology, ultrastructure)
• Mutation (genetics)
• Neuroimaging