Adult alpha-mannosidosis: clinical progression in the absence of demyelination

Neurology. 2004 Nov 9;63(9):1744-6. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000143057.25471.4f.

Abstract

Alpha-mannosidosis is an inherited lysosomal storage disease. The authors report three siblings (ages 38 to 47 years) with the rare adult variant. All three had late-onset ataxia and retinal degeneration, adding to hearing loss, cognitive impairment, and dysotosis multiplex. One sibling also had psychosis. MRI revealed cerebellar atrophy and predominantly parieto-occipital white matter changes. MR spectroscopy showed no evidence for demyelination. It appears that the disabling course of adult alpha-mannosidosis is caused by lysosomal accumulation rather than demyelination.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Atrophy
  • Cerebellum / pathology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / diagnosis
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • alpha-Mannosidosis / diagnosis*
  • alpha-Mannosidosis / pathology