PRNP P39L Variant is a Rare Cause of Frontotemporal Dementia in Italian Population

J Alzheimers Dis. 2016;50(2):353-7. doi: 10.3233/JAD-150863.

Abstract

The missense P39L variant in the prion protein gene (PRNP) has recently been associated with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Here, we analyzed the presence of the P39L variant in 761 patients with FTD and 719 controls and found a single carrier among patients. The patient was a 67-year-old male, with a positive family history for dementia, who developed apathy, short term memory deficit, and postural instability at 66. Clinical and instrumental workup excluded prion disease. At MRI, bilateral frontal lobe atrophy was present. A diagnosis of FTD was made, with a mainly apathetic phenotype. The PRNP P39L mutation may be an extremely rare cause of FTD (0.13%).

Keywords: Frontotemporal dementia; P39L; PRNP; mutation; prion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Atrophy / pathology
  • Frontal Lobe / pathology
  • Frontotemporal Dementia / genetics*
  • Frontotemporal Dementia / pathology
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Language*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / genetics*
  • Memory Disorders / pathology
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Prion Proteins
  • Prions / genetics*
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology

Substances

  • PRNP protein, human
  • Prion Proteins
  • Prions