Folate receptor α deficiency – Myelin-sensitive MRI as a reliable biomarker to monitor the efficacy and long-term outcome of a new therapeutic approach
Steffi Dreha-Kulaczewski, Prativa Sahoo, Matthias Preusse, Irini Gkalimani, Peter Dechent, Gunther Helms, Sabine Hofer, Robert Steinfeld, Jutta Gärtner
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Cerebral folate transport deficiency, caused by a genetic defect in folate receptor α, is a devastating neurometabolic disorder that, if untreated, leads to epileptic encephalopathy, psychomotor decline and hypomyelination. Currently, there are limited data on effective dosage and duration of treatment, though early diagnosis and therapy with folinic acid appears critical. The aim of this long-term study was to identify new therapeutic approaches and novel biomarkers for assessing efficacy, focusing on myelin-sensitive MRI. Clinical, biochemical, structural and quantitative MRI parameters of seven patients with genetically confirmed folate receptor α deficiency were acquired over 13 years. Multimodal MRI approaches comprised MR-spectroscopy (MRS), magnetization transfer (MTI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) sequences. Patients started oral treatment immediately following diagnosis or in an interval of up to 2.5 years. Escalation to intravenous and intrathecal administration was performed in the absence of effects. Five patients improved, one with a presymptomatic start of therapy remained symptom-free, and one with inconsistent treatment deteriorated. While CSF 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and MRS parameters normalized immediately after therapy initiation, myelin-sensitive MTI and DTI measures correlated with gradual clinical improvement and ongoing myelination under therapy. Early initiation of treatment at sufficient doses, considering early intrathecal applications, is critical for favorable outcome. The majority of patients showed clinical improvements that correlated best with MTI parameters, allowing individualized monitoring of myelination recovery. Presymptomatic therapy seems to ensure normal development and warrants newborn screening. Furthermore, the quantitative parameters of myelin-sensitive MRI for therapy assessments can now be used for hypomyelination disorders in general.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease (JIMD) is the official journal of the Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (SSIEM). By enhancing communication between workers in the field throughout the world, the JIMD aims to improve the management and understanding of inherited metabolic disorders. It publishes results of original research and new or important observations pertaining to any aspect of inherited metabolic disease in humans and higher animals. This includes clinical (medical, dental and veterinary), biochemical, genetic (including cytogenetic, molecular and population genetic), experimental (including cell biological), methodological, theoretical, epidemiological, ethical and counselling aspects. The JIMD also reviews important new developments or controversial issues relating to metabolic disorders and publishes reviews and short reports arising from the Society''s annual symposia. A distinction is made between peer-reviewed scientific material that is selected because of its significance for other professionals in the field and non-peer- reviewed material that aims to be important, controversial, interesting or entertaining (“Extras”).