Leigh's disease

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


Overview

Leigh's disease, a form of Leigh syndrome, also known as Subacute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy (SNEM), is a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder that mainly affects the central nervous system and becomes apparent during infancy, often after a viral illness. There is progressive loss of mental and movement abilities (psychomotor regression) and often leads to death within 2-3 years, usually due to respiratory failure.

Historical Perspective

Leigh's Syndrome was first described by Archibald Denis Leigh, a British neuropsychiatrist, in 1951. [1]

Pathophysiology

It is thought that manifestation of Leigh's syndrome is caused by brain lesion at different parts including brainstem, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and other regions of the brain. Brain lesions may be present in different forms such as demyelination, gliosis, spongiosis, necrosis and capillary proliferation. Due to demyelination, neurons in brain loses their ability to communicate with other neurons which hampers basic life functions, movements and balance. Lactic acidosis may be observed in some patients with pyruvate buildup, due to defective oxidative phosphorylation. [2]

Causes

Leigh's syndrome may be caused by mutations of any of 30 different genes, present in nuclear DNA. The most common cause of Leigh's syndrome is mutations in a gene called SURF1 (surfeit1) among nuclear DNA genes. Around 20 % of the cases are found to be due to mutation in mitochondrial DNA. Among mitochondrial DNA genes, mutations in MT-ATP6 gene, that codes for ATP synthase is most common cause known to cause the disease. [3]

Epidemiology and Demographics

The prevalence of Leigh's Syndrome is approximately 1 per 40,000 live births individuals worldwide.[4]

Risk Factors

There are no established risk factors for Leigh's disease.

Screening

There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for Leigh's disease.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Life expectancy for children diagnosed with Leigh's disease usually exceeds no more than two or three years. [5]

Differential diagnosis

Leigh's disease must be differentiated from other diseases that cause neurological manifestations in infants. Leigh's disease must be differentiated from birth asphyxia, kernicterus, encephalitis, thiamine deficiency, Wilson's disease, biotin-responsive basal ganglia disease. Birth asphyxia and hyperbilirubinemia can cause damage to thalamus and basal ganglia, which can cause lesions similar to leigh's disease. [2]

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Leigh's syndrome is suggested based on the clinical findings, confirmed through laboratory and genetic testing.

Diagnostic study of Choice

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain may reveal abnormal areas in certain parts of the brain including basal ganglia, brain stem, and grey matter. Finding in MRI suggestive of Leigh's disease includes hyperintense signal abnormalities on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).[6]

History and Symptoms

Symptoms began to appear from infancy that begins with vomiting, diarrhoea, and poor sucking that leads to failure to thrive. On progressive note, muscular system involved leading to hypotonia (decrease tone), dystonia (sustained spasm) and ataxia (loss of control over movements). Muscles that controls eye movement get affected leading to ophthalmoparesis and nystagmus (involuntary eye movement). Lungs and heart can be involved leading to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and respiratory failure, most common cause of death. Peripheral neuropathy have been noted in some cases of Leigh's syndrome. Hypertrichosis can be seen in some patient due SURF1 nuclear gene mutation. [2]

Physical Examinations

Common physical examination findings of Leigh's disease include dystonia, nystagmus, autonomic dysfunction (due to damage to basal ganglia and brain stem).

Laboratory Findings

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of Leigh's syndrome include high levels of acidic waste products in the blood (lactic acidosis) as well as elevated levels of pyruvate and alanine.

Echocardiogram

There are no ECG findings associated with Leigh's disease.

X-ray

There are no x-ray findings associated with Leigh's disease.

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

Echocardiography may be helpful in the diagnosis of Leigh's disease. Findings on an echocardiography suggestive of Leigh's disease includes cardiomyopathy and pericardial effusion. [7]

CT Scan

A Head CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of Leigh's disease. Findings on CT scan suggestive of Leigh's disease include bilateral symmetric subcortical hypodensities. [6]

Treatment

There is no treatment for Leigh's disease; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care. Anti-epileptic drugs can be used to manage patient who present with epilepsy. In addition, coenzyme Q10, thiamine and biotin can be used to supplement deficiencies. [8]

References

  1. LEIGH D (1951). "Subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy in an infant". J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 14 (3): 216–21. doi:10.1136/jnnp.14.3.216. PMC 499520. PMID 14874135.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Baertling F, Rodenburg RJ, Schaper J, Smeitink JA, Koopman WJ, Mayatepek E; et al. (2014). "A guide to diagnosis and treatment of Leigh syndrome". J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 85 (3): 257–65. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2012-304426. PMID 23772060.
  3. 1. Leigh syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics [Internet]. [cited 2021 Jul 30]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/leigh-syndrome/
  4. 1. Leigh syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics [Internet]. [cited 2021 Jul 30]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/leigh-syndrome/
  5. Sofou K, De Coo IF, Isohanni P, Ostergaard E, Naess K, De Meirleir L; et al. (2014). "A multicenter study on Leigh syndrome: disease course and predictors of survival". Orphanet J Rare Dis. 9: 52. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-9-52. PMC 4021638. PMID 24731534.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Bonfante E, Koenig MK, Adejumo RB, Perinjelil V, Riascos RF (2016). "The neuroimaging of Leigh syndrome: case series and review of the literature". Pediatr Radiol. 46 (4): 443–51. doi:10.1007/s00247-015-3523-5. PMID 26739140.
  7. Hadzsiev K, Maasz A, Kisfali P, Kalman E, Gomori E, Pal E; et al. (2010). "Mitochondrial DNA 11777C>A mutation associated Leigh syndrome: case report with a review of the previously described pedigrees". Neuromolecular Med. 12 (3): 277–84. doi:10.1007/s12017-010-8115-9. PMID 20502985.
  8. Pfeffer G, Majamaa K, Turnbull DM, Thorburn D, Chinnery PF (2012). "Treatment for mitochondrial disorders". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (4): CD004426. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004426.pub3. PMC 7201312 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 22513923.

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