Letter from the editor

Abstract

Episodic ataxias (EA) include a group of autosomal dominant disorders characterized by paroxysmal attacks of imbalance and incoordination. Currently, there are nine recognized forms of episodic ataxia (EA1–EA9) [1,2], with causative genes known for 6 of them. Particularly, pathogenic variants in KCNA1, CACNA1A, CACNB4, SLC1A3, UBR4 and FGF14 genes have been described for EA1, EA2, EA5, EA6, EA8 and EA9 respectively. EA2 is the most common episodic ataxia syndrome, characterized by paroxysmal attacks of ataxia, vertigo and nausea, sometimes associated with dysarthria, diplopia, tinnitus, dystonia, headache and hemiplegia [3,4]. These symptoms may last from minutes to days. Onset is typically in childhood or early adolescence and frequency of attacks may range from once or twice a year to three or four times a week. Attacks can be provoked by psychological stress or exertion. Between attacks, patients are asymptomatic, but they commonly develop interictal signs that may include nystagmus and ataxia [3,4]. Patients with EA2 respond well to acetazolamide treatment [5]. In 2009, we evaluated a 17-years old Italian boy who presented, since childhood, recurrent episodes of ataxia, nausea and incoordination, induced by exertion and, sometimes, psychological stress. The episodes occurred with a mean frequency of five times per month and lasted for 30-45 minutes. Between attacks, he was asymptomatic. There was no family history of neurological disorders. Past history revealed only congenital nystagmus. In the interictal neurological examination, the patient presents nystagmus horizontally beating on lateral gaze. No other oculomotor findings could be observed. Brain MRI was unremarkable, particularly cerebellar atrophy was not present. Suspecting Episodic Ataxia type 2, a genetic test was proposed. Informed consent was obtained for genetic testing in accordance with the Institution’s ethics committee board requirements. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood by standard techniques. All exons and flanking introns of CACNA1A were amplified from the proband. We used denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) in combination with direct Sanger sequencing to identify specific nucleotide changes or small indels. In the proband, a single heterozygous nucleotide substitution was detected in exon 5 (c.758 A > G; reference transcript NM_001127221.1), substituting a histidine for an arginine (p. His253Arg; reference protein sequence NP_001120693.1) in the putative protein. This variant was not present in GnomAD. In addition, the variant was absent in the proband’s parents, suggesting a de novo origin, and it was classified as “likely pathogenic” according to ACMG criteria. The patient was started on acetazolamide 250 mg twice a day, with clinical improvement: attacks were less severe and their frequency decreased to one every six months. Since then, he has been evaluated regularly every year. After ten years of follow up, he still reports benefits from acetazolamide treatment, being the frequency of his attacks rare and the ictal symptoms mild. His neurological assessment is unmodified, compared to the very first one. A recently performed brain MRI was unchanged, without signs of cerebellar atrophy. EA2 is a rare disorder due to mutations of CACNA1A gene, coding for the α1 subunit of the P/Q-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (CaV2.1). The α1 subunit has four domains (IIV), each formed by six transmembrane hydrophobic segments (S1-S6). Segments S5 and S6 of each domain line the pore region and play a critical role for ion selectivity and permeation of the Ca2+ channel [6,7]. CACNA1A mutations are distributed along the entire gene (Fig. 1), but missense mutations generally involve S5-S6 segments and their borders [8]. Molecular analysis of CACNA1A gene, in our proband, identified the presence of the novel c.758G > A variant at the heterozygous state and causing the p.His253Arg substitution in the putative protein. According to ACMG criteria [9], this previously unreported sequence variation fulfills one strong, two moderate, and one supporting criteria (PS2 + PM1 + PM5 + PP3) [10]. In conclusion, we have characterized a novel missense variant within the CACNA1A gene in a typical sporadic EA2 phenotype, with episodes of ataxia and incoordination triggered by exertion, which started in childhood and it is responsive to acetazolamide. Long term treatment showed effectiveness by improving the clinical course and without any adverse effect. Based on clinical evidence and the criteria set by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics [9], we conclude that the novel variant can be classified as “likely pathogenic”. EA2 is a rare disorder, however it should be considered in undiagnosed attacks of dizziness, vertigo and ataxia, even without family history, particularly in patients with inter-ictal nystagmus.