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Pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 2

Further clinical characterization and evidence of positive response of dyskinesia to levodopa

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Abstract

Pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 2 (PCH2) is a very rare autosomal recessive disorder. We report two unrelated female patients born to consanguineous parents presenting with this condition. Patient 1 showed a classical clinical/neuroradiological phenotype of PCH2 with dyskinesia/dystonia. Patient 2 had a neonatal onset of PCH2 with polyhydramnios, apneic spells, myoclonus, and an akinetic/rigidity condition. Neuroradiologically, patient 2 showed extensive pancerebral degeneration. Based on these observations, and in accordance with the published cases, two groups of PCH2 patients may be defined: (a) patients with dyskinesia/dystonia, severe hypoplasia of the infratentorial structures and less severe involvement of the supratentorial brain; and (b) patients with polyhydramnios, neonatal onset with tremulousness (hyperekplexia), no spontaneous activity, absence of dyskinesia and pancerebral degeneration. Finally, we report a dramatic positive response of the patient with dyskinesia/dystonia to levodopa treatment, and discuss the associated physiopathological implications.

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Received: 8 June 2001, Received in revised form: 26 September 2001, Accepted: 5 October 2001

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Grosso, S., Mostadini, R., Cioni, M. et al. Pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 2. J Neurol 249, 596–600 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004150200069

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004150200069

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