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Suzanne Lesage

Publications and source records attributed to Suzanne Lesage.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Genome-wide association study of copy number variations in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of copy number variations (CNVs) on Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis using genome-wide data and explore their role in sporadic PD. METHODS: We analyzed CNV data from 11,035 PD patients (including 2,731 early-onset PD (EOPD)) and 8,901 controls from the COURAGE-PD consortium using a sliding window CNV-GWAS and genome-wide burden analysis. The independent dataset from the Global Parkinson Genetics Program (GP2) consisted of 23,089 cases and 18,824 controls were used to validate our initial findings. RESULTS: The exploratory dataset identifies multiple CNV regions associated with PD risk. The nominated CNV loci were not confirmed in an independent dataset, except that only a deletion in the PRKN gene, a well-established EOPD locus, remained genome-wide significant and robustly supported. CNV burden analysis showed a higher prevalence of CNVs in PD-related genes in patients compared to controls (OR=1.56 [1.18-2.09], p=0.0013), with PRKN showing the highest burden (OR=1.47 [1.10-1.98], p=0.026). Patients with CNVs in PRKN had an earlier disease onset. Burden analysis with controls and EOPD patients showed similar results. INTERPRETATION: The largest CNV-based GWAS on PD highlights both the promise and pitfalls of array-based CNV detection in PD and underscores the relevance of whole-genome sequencing approaches in resolving the role of CNV in PD. The array-based findings are prone towards false positive findings that might arise either from platform limitations and/or cohort biases. Future studies require improved genotyping resolution and rigorous cross-cohort validation to reliably assess CNV contributions to PD risk.

Journal Article↗

Biological effects of the PINK1 c.1366C>T mutation: implications in Parkinson disease pathogenesis.

PINK1 gene mutations are a cause of recessively inherited, early-onset Parkinson's disease. In some patients, a single heterozygous mutation has been identified, including the recurrent c.1366C>T transition. The interpretation of this finding remains controversial. Furthermore, the c.1366C>T mutation is associated with lower levels of PINK1 transcript, raising the question of whether mRNA levels correlate with the clinical status. We sequenced genomic DNA and copy DNA (cDNA) from 20 subjects carrying the c.1366C>T mutation in the homozygous (n = 5) or heterozygous (n = 15) state. In 17 mutation carriers, messenger RNA (mRNA) was quantified by real-time PCR using four different assays (PINK1 exon 5-6 or exon 7-8 relative to control genes SDHA or YWHAZ). Genomic sequencing confirmed the presence and zygosity of PINK1 mutations. cDNA sequencing in heterozygous mutation carriers revealed a strong wild-type and a much weaker or almost absent mutant signal, whereas in the homozygous patients, only the mutant signal was detected. Homozygous and heterozygous carriers showed PINK1 mRNA levels relative to a reference gene in the range of 0.1-0.2 and 0.5-0.6, respectively, compared with values of 0.9-1.0 in mutation-negative individuals. Treatment of lymphoblasts from a heterozygous mutation carrier with cycloheximide markedly increased the mutant transcript signal. We conclude that the recurrent PINK1 c.1366C>T mutation exerts a major effect at the mRNA level (80-90% reduction), most likely via nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. The absence of correlation between PINK1 mRNA levels and clinical status in heterozygous mutation carriers suggests that other genetic or environmental factors play a role in determining the phenotypic variability associated with the c.1366C>T mutation.

Base Sequence↗

Deletion of the parkin and PACRG gene promoter in early-onset parkinsonism.

Autosomal recessive mutations in the parkin gene (PARK2) have been identified as a common cause of familial and also sporadic, early-onset parkinsonism (EOPD): point mutations, exonic deletions, and duplications or triplications have been described. Here we report a novel mutation, consisting of a deletion of the promoter and exon 1 of parkin (c.1-?_7+?del), in a family compatible with autosomal recessive EOPD and an isolated case. The former was compound heterozygous for the parkin c.1-?_7+?del mutation and an exon 3 deletion (c.172-?_412+?del). The latter was homozygous for the parkin c.1-?_7+?del mutation. The promoter region is shared by parkin and the neighboring parkin coregulated gene (PACRG), which are oriented head-to-head and are transcribed on opposite DNA strands. There were no parkin transcripts in lymphoblasts from the patients carrying the parkin c.1-?_7+?del mutation. The phenotypes of patients with promoter deletions and consequently absence of parkin and possibly PACRG expression, were similar to and no more severe than those of other EOPD patients with parkin mutations.

Adolescent↗

Subthalamic nucleus stimulation is efficacious in patients with Parkinsonism and LRRK2 mutations.

Stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) improves motor signs in patients with levodopa-responsive Parkinson's disease (PD). Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase-2 (LRRK2) gene cause Parkinsonism. We assessed 69 patients under STN stimulation and found heterozygous LRRK2 mutations in 9 (G2019S in 8 and T2031S in 1). The age at onset of PD, the clinical characteristics before or after neurosurgery, and the clinical response to STN stimulation were similar in both groups. Two patients with the G2019S LRRK2 mutation still benefited from STN stimulation, 9 and 10 years after surgery. Patients with LRRK2 mutations are, therefore, good candidates for STN stimulation.

Adult↗

A genetic cluster of early onset Parkinson's disease in a Colombian population.

We previously identified in two families with early onset Parkinson's Disease (PD) from the isolated population of Antioquia (Colombia), a parkin Cys212Tyr substitution caused by a G736A mutation. This mutation was subsequently observed in a Spanish family, suggesting that it could have been taken to Antioquia by Spanish immigrants. Here we screened for the G736A mutation in additional Antioquian early onset PD cases and used haplotype analysis to investigate the relationship between Spanish and Antioquian G736A chromosomes. We confirmed the occurrence of an extensive founder effect in Antioquia. Thirteen individuals (10 homozygotes) from seven nuclear families were identified with the G736A mutation. Genealogical investigations demonstrated the existence of shared ancestors between six of these families four to five generations ago and no evidence of Spanish ancestry during this period. A second parkin mutation (a duplication of exon 3), was detected in the three G736A heterozygote carriers. Haplotype data exclude a recent common ancestry between the Spanish and Antioquian patients studied here and is consistent with the introduction of the G736A mutation in Antioquia during early colonial times (about 16 generations ago).

Cluster Analysis↗

Segregation analysis of restless legs syndrome: possible evidence for a major gene in a family study using blinded diagnoses.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to ascertain the most likely inheritance pattern of restless legs syndrome (RLS) using segregation analysis. METHODS: Probands were RLS patients presenting to the Neurology and Sleep clinics of the Johns-Hopkins Bayview medical center with willing first and second degree relatives. Blinded diagnosis was made in those who exhibited the four diagnostic features of RLS. Analysis was performed on RLS as a dichotomous trait and considering age of onset models on 590 phenotyped subjects from 77 pedigrees. RESULTS: All non-genetic models were rejected considering RLS as a dichotomous trait. A single locus Mendelian dominant model with gender as a covariate had best fit with allele frequency of 0.077 and complete penetrance. RLS frequency in non-carrier subjects was estimated to be 0.14. Two underlying distributions of age of onset, with a possible dichotomy at 26.3 years, were identified. Contrary to the results for RLS as a dichotomous trait, age of onset models did not indicate single major gene inheritance. CONCLUSION: This segregation analysis suggests that the pattern of segregation is consistent with that of a single major locus, when RLS is treated as a dichotomous trait without considering age of onset. The high rate of phenocopies matches known population frequencies and taken with significant residual familial effects and the lack of evidence for a major gene controlling age of onset, indicates that non-genetic causes of RLS may exist and RLS is a complex disorder.

Aged↗

Undiagnosed individuals with first-degree relatives with restless legs syndrome have increased periodic limb movements.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) in first-degree relatives of both restless legs syndrome (RLS) patients and matched controls without RLS in order to analyze patterns of this motor sign of RLS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: First-degree relatives of a consecutive case series of RLS patients and matched community controls without RLS were evaluated for diagnosis of primary RLS and for PLMS as determined by a leg activity meter. The data were analyzed to determine whether or not PLMS rates are higher than expected for RLS subjects in these families, who have mostly milder disease, and family members of early-onset RLS patients not themselves diagnosed with RLS. RESULTS: PLMS activity in family members was significantly higher for those diagnosed as RLS compared to those diagnosed as not-RLS. This difference was greater for older than younger subjects. In family members older than the median study age (52 years old) who were diagnosed as not-RLS, PLMS were significantly more frequent in those related to an early-onset RLS proband than in those related to either a control or late-onset RLS proband. CONCLUSIONS: PLMS are elevated even in those with mild RLS and reveal an age-related worsening of the motor component of RLS. PLMS may represent an incomplete expression of RLS tendencies in families of patients with early-onset RLS, but this needs to be confirmed in future longitudinal studies. The increase in PLMS with age, reported in healthy controls, may in fact occur in part as a partial expression of familial or genetic factors associated with RLS.

Age Distribution↗

Mutational analysis of the PINK1 gene in early-onset parkinsonism in Europe and North Africa.

Parkinson's disease is a frequent disorder caused primarily by the loss of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. Mutations in the PTEN-induced kinase (PINK1) gene, in addition to those in parkin and DJ-1, have been found in families with recessive early-onset Parkinson's disease. We screened for parkin and PINK1 mutations in a panel of 177 autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease families with ages at onset < or =60 years, mostly from Europe. In 7 unrelated families, we identified 10 pathogenic PINK1 mutations (5 missense, 2 nonsense and 3 frameshift deletion mutations), 8 of which were novel. All the mutations were in the homozygous or compound heterozygous states. Interestingly, pseudo-dominant inheritance was observed in a family with two different mutations. The clinical characteristics of 12 PINK1 patients and 114 parkin patients were similar, even for signs such as dystonia at onset and increased reflexes, which were thought to be specific to parkin. In contrast, onset in patients with PINK1 mutations was earlier and increased reflexes were found more frequently than in patients without PINK1 or parkin mutations. These results suggest that PINK1 is the second most frequent causative gene in early-onset Parkinson's disease with a slowly progressive phenotype, indistinguishable from early-onset patients with parkin mutations.

Adult↗

Clinical features of Parkinson disease patients with homozygous leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 G2019S mutations.

BACKGROUND: The G2019S mutation is the most common pathogenic substitution in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene, which has recently been identified in familial and sporadic Parkinson disease (PD). OBJECTIVES: To report the clinical characteristics of PD patients with homozygous LRRK2 6055G>A (G2019S) mutations and to compare them with previously published descriptions of heterozygous patients. DESIGN: Descriptive clinical report from an international consortium of studies. Subjects Patients with familial PD and homozygous LRRK2 mutations included 23 Tunisians, 2 Algerians, 2 US patients, 1 Canadian, and 1 Moroccan. RESULTS: There were no observable differences between the homozygote and heterozygote phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Parkinson disease related to LRRK2 is characterized by typical clinical features, and the similarities between patients with homozygous and heterozygous mutations do not support a gene dosage effect.

Aged↗

Juvenile-onset Parkinsonism as a result of the first mutation in the adenosine triphosphate orientation domain of PINK1.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) gene at 1p36 have been involved in autosomal recessive early-onset parkinsonism. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and genetic features of the largest kindred reported to date with early-onset parkinsonism associated with the PINK1 gene. DESIGN: Clinical and genetic study. SETTING: Collaborative study. Patients Eight patients from Sudan with particularly early onset (ages 9-17 years) and phenotypes varying from dopa-responsive dystonia-like to typical early-onset parkinsonism. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The PINK1 genotype and Parkinson disease status of all available family members. RESULTS: The disease was caused by a novel mutation, p.A217D, located in the highly conserved adenosine triphosphate orientation site of the PINK1 kinase domain. CONCLUSION: This study extends the phenotypic and molecular spectrum of the PINK1 gene and the geographic origin of patients with PINK1 gene mutations.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

G2019S LRRK2 mutation in French and North African families with Parkinson's disease.

Mutations in LRRK2 were recently identified in autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD), including the G2019S mutation. To evaluate its frequency, we analyzed 198 probands with autosomal dominant PD, mostly from France and North Africa. Surprisingly, the frequency in North African families (7/17, 41%) was greater than those from Europe (5/174, 2.9%). The clinical features in 21 patients, including 1 with a homozygous mutation, were those of typical PD, with lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores. There were also 15 unaffected mutation carriers, aged 32 to 74 years. LRRK2 mutations appear to be a common cause of autosomal dominant PD, particularly in North Africa.

Adult↗

Significant linkage to spondyloarthropathy on 9q31-34.

Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) is a frequent rheumatologic disorder with a prevalence of 0.3% in Caucasian populations from western Europe. It commonly presents as chronic axial and/or peripheral arthritis with potential disabling outcome. SpA is also variably associated with extra-articular manifestations. The pathogenesis of SpA is considered as complex, with a strong genetic component. Human leukocyte antigen B27 has been identified as a predisposing factor for SpA, but family and twin studies suggest that additional genetic risk factors exist outside the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). To map SpA susceptibility loci, 120 multiplex SpA families were included in a genome-wide scan. Linkage analyses performed on the first 65 families allowed us to identify four candidate non-MHC regions on chromosomes 5q, 9q, 13q and 17q, which were further explored in the remaining 55 multiplex families (extension study). Non-parametric multipoint linkage analyses of the whole data set yielded evidence of significant linkage to 9q31-34, in the vicinity of marker D9S1776 (NPL=4.87, LOD=5.15, P=0.00002). This result provides evidence for the presence of a non-MHC susceptibility locus for SpA mapping to 9q31-34.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Infevers: an evolving mutation database for auto-inflammatory syndromes.

The Infevers database (http://fmf.igh.cnrs.fr/infevers/) was established in 2002 to provide investigators with access to a central source of information about all sequence variants associated with periodic fevers: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), TNF Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS), Hyper IgD Syndrome (HIDS), Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome/Muckle-Wells Syndrome/Chronic Infantile Neurological Cutaneous and Articular Syndrome (FCAS/MWS/CINCA). The prototype of this group of disorders is FMF, a recessive disease characterized by recurrent bouts of unexplained inflammation. FMF is the pivotal member of an expanding family of autoinflammatory disorders, a new term coined to describe illnesses resulting from a defect of the innate immune response. Therefore, we decided to extend the Infevers database to genes connected with autoinflammatory diseases. We present here the biological content of the Infevers database, including the introduction of two new entries: Crohn/Blau and Pyogenic sterile arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum and acne (PAPA syndrome). Infevers has a range of query capabilities, allowing for simple or complex interrogation of the database. Currently, the database contains 291 sequence variants in related genes (MEFV, TNFRSF1A, MVK, CARD15, PSTPIP1, and CIAS1), consisting of published data and personal communications, which has revealed or refined the preferential mutational sites for each gene. This database will continue to evolve in its content and to improve in its presentation.

Arthritis↗

Restless Legs Syndrome.

In the past 10 years, restless legs syndrome (RLS) has gained recognition as a common sleep disorder. There are several therapeutic options in treating patients with RLS. RLS causes significant sleep disturbance and negatively impacts on patient quality of life. Pharmacologic treatment can result in improved sleep and quality of life issues. RLS patients should be evaluated for iron deficiency anemia; iron replacement in deficient patients may lead to a resolution of symptoms or may reduce the severity of their symptoms. For patients with daily symptoms, the initial therapy is dopamine agonists. Low doses given in the evening or 2 hours before bed provide adequate relief of symptoms for many RLS patients. Augmentation can be seen with all dopamine agents, but is most prevalent with levodopa. Levodopa therapy is best used for milder intermittent symptoms or in aggravating situations, such as long car rides. Opiates and antiepileptics remain a beneficial therapy for RLS and are useful in patients who experience pain as part of their RLS. Newer anticonvulsants may provide additional treatment options, but they have yet to undergo clinical trials. Intravenous iron also may provide relief of RLS symptoms; however, dosing and safety issues have not been fully evaluated in a RLS population.

Journal Article↗