Leukoencephalopathy with thalamus and brainstem involvement and high lactate caused by novel mutations in the EARS2 gene in two siblings.

Abstract

Leukoencephalopathy with thalamus and brainstem involvement, and high lactate (LTBL) is a recently identified disease related to mutations in the EARS2 gene encoding glutamyl-tRNA synthetase. We report clinical and radiological findings for two siblings with new pathogenic mutations in the EARS2 gene. Both patients showed symptoms of mild-type disease, but there were clinical differences between the two siblings. While the older brother had hypotonia and delayed developmental milestones, the younger brother had seizures and spasticity in the lower extremities. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were quite similar for the two siblings. MRI findings were specific to LTBL. MRI lesions of the older sibling had regressed over time. Clinical and radiological improvement, as in the previously reported patients with LTBL, may be an important clue for diagnosis.

• Authors: Sevim Şahin, Ali Cansu, Ersan Kalay, Tuba Dinçer, Sibel Kul, İsmet Miraç Çakır, Tülay Kamaşak, Gülden Yorgancıoğlu Budak
• Journal: Journal of the neurological sciences (J Neurol Sci) Vol. 365 Pg. 54-8 (Jun 15 2016) ISSN: 1878-5883 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 27206875 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Lactic Acid
• EARS2 protein, human
• Glutamate-tRNA Ligase

Topics

• Biomarkers (blood)
• Brain Stem (diagnostic imaging)
• Child
• Glutamate-tRNA Ligase (genetics)
• Humans
• Infant
• Lactic Acid (blood)
• Leukoencephalopathies (blood, diagnostic imaging, genetics)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Mutation
• Siblings
• Thalamus (diagnostic imaging)