A case of infantile Alexander disease diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and genetic analysis

Brain Dev. 2007 Sep;29(8):525-8. doi: 10.1016/j.braindev.2007.02.002. Epub 2007 Mar 23.

Abstract

We encountered a male infant with infantile Alexander disease presenting with megalencephaly and hydrocephalus as a neonate and subtle seizures at 3 months of age. At 6 months of age, bulbar paralysis appeared. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed abnormal findings with white matter involvement and a characteristic periventricular rim, satisfying the diagnostic criteria proposed by van der Knaap, except for MRI contrast. R239H mutation of glial fibrillary acidic protein gene was identified, representing a common cause of infantile-type Alexander disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alexander Disease / diagnosis*
  • Alexander Disease / genetics*
  • Alexander Disease / physiopathology
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / etiology
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Seizures / etiology

Substances

  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein