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. 2016:25:83-86.
doi: 10.1007/8904_2015_469. Epub 2015 Jun 17.

GM2-Gangliosidosis, AB Variant: Clinical, Ophthalmological, MRI, and Molecular Findings

Deborah Renaud  1   2 , Michael Brodsky  3   4   5
Affiliations

GM2-Gangliosidosis, AB Variant: Clinical, Ophthalmological, MRI, and Molecular Findings

Deborah Renaud et al. JIMD Rep. 2016.

Abstract

GM2-gangliosidosis, AB variant is a very rare form of GM2 gangliosidosis due to a deficiency of GM2 activator protein, associated with autosomal recessive mutations in GM2A. Less than ten patients, confirmed by molecular analysis, have been described in the literature.A 12-month-old Hmong girl presented to the neurometabolic clinic for evaluation of global developmental delay, hypotonia, and cherry red spots. The parents were not known to be consanguineous. Her examination was remarkable for hypotonia with hyperreflexia and excessive startling. The head circumference was normal. An extensive neurometabolic evaluation was negative.Developmental regression began at 14 months of age. Retinal examination at 16 months of age disclosed 4+ cherry red/black spots with "heaped up" ring of whitish infiltrate surrounding both foveae but no evidence of optic atrophy or peripheral retinal abnormalities. Repeat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan at 17 months of age revealed delayed but interval myelination associated with abnormal signal intensity of the bilateral thalami presenting as T2 hyperintensity of the posterior thalami in the region of the pulvinar nuclei and T2 hypointensity in the anterior thalami. Sequencing of the GM2A gene revealed a homozygous c.160 G>T mutation, predicted to result in a premature protein termination p. Glu54*.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Retinal examination disclosed 4+ cherry red with a ring of “heaped up” whitish infiltrate surrounding both fovea with no optic atrophy or peripheral retinal abnormalities
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan at 17 months of age revealed delayed but interval myelination associated with abnormal signal intensity of the bilateral thalami presenting as T2 hyperintensity of the posterior thalami in the region of the pulvinar nuclei (arrowhead) and T2 hypointensity in the anterior thalami
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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