Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0026838 (spasticity)
6,471 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

n-Hexane and methyl n-butyl ketone share a common metabolite, 2,5-hexanedione, a potent neurotoxin. Neurotoxic effects to both peripheral and central nervous systems may occur after occupational exposure or recreational abuse of n-hexane. Initial clinical manifestations include numbness and tingling sensation in the toes and fingers, followed by progressive weakness and areflexia, particularly in the distal limbs. Chronic low-dose n-hexane exposure, often observed in industrial workers, apparently causes axonal loss with sensory impairment. Subacute high-dose n-hexane exposure, often observed in glue-sniffers, can cause axonal swelling and secondary demyelination with muscle wasting and weakness. Electrophysiological studies demonstrate prominent prolongation of distal latencies, slowing of nerve conduction velocities, and conduction block with temporal dispersion particularly in severely intoxicated patients. Pathological hallmarks include giant axonal swelling with secondary demyelination and relative loss of large myelinated fibers. Giant axons are accumulated by 10 nm neurofilaments. The clinical course tends to be biphasic with "coasting" for 2-3 months, followed by a slow recovery for about 1-2 years after cessation of exposure to n-hexane. Prognosis is usually favorable. Severely affected patients may develop sequelae of muscle wasting, foot drop, and spasticity. Increased awareness of the n-hexane neurotoxicity in industrial workers and glue sniffers as well as use of safe solvents and adequate ventilation systems are important for preventing n-hexane toxicity.
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PMID:Polyneuropathy induced by n-hexane intoxication in Taiwan. 1856 21

Autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia (AD-HSP) is due to mutations in the "spastin" gene (SPAST gene) encoding the AAA protein. The main clinical features of "pure" HSP are progressive lower-limb spasticity with corticospinal tracts and dorsal column degeneration without peripheral neuropathy. Here we report the case of HSP with novel SPAST gene mutation that misdiagnosed with subacute combined degeneration initially. A 58-year-old man with gait disturbance came to our hospital. He was unable to regulate his steps by himself. The impaired gait began 3 years after he had undergone subtotal gastrectomy and chemotherapy for 6 months. Thereafter, he started feeling tingling sensations in the hands and feet and acquired gait difficulties. He denied having a family history of abnormal gait or developmental problem. We diagnosed him with subacute combined degeneration on the evidence of history of gastrectomy, lower normal limit of vitamin B12 (363 pg/ml), apparent absence of vibration sensations and paresthesia in the feet. He was intramuscularly administered cyanocobalamin regularly. However, there was no improvement in his condition. We reconsidered his symptoms and signs, decided to examine the SPAST gene, which is the most common mutation in HSP. The SPAST gene, c.870+1delG, heterozygote, splicing mutation is detected from the gene sample. There was no previous information of this polymorphism or mutation at this locus. We examined his two children, and the same mutation was founded in his son. We report a patient of novel SPAST gene mutation with AD-HSP which is misdiagnosed with SCD.
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PMID:Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia with a Novel SPAST Mutation Misdiagnosed with Subacute Combined Degeneration. 2383 62

We report a 48-year-old female with the history of Sjogren's syndrome who presented with 3-week history of tingling, numbness, and shooting back, waist, and bilateral leg pain and numbness in the pelvic region with urinary and bowel incontinence. Physical examination was remarkable for reduced motor power in both lower extremities with spasticity. Sensory deficit was noted at the T6 level. Laboratory investigation revealed elevated ESR and CRP and positive serum antiaquaporin-4 IgG. Thoracic and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal patchy areas, leptomeningeal enhancement through the thoracic cord extending from T3 through T6 levels, without evidence of cord compression. Impression of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder was made and patient was treated with methylprednisolone intravenously followed by tapering oral prednisone. Neurological symptoms gradually improved with resolution of bowel and urinary incontinence. In a patient with Sjogren's syndrome who presents with neurological complaints, the possibility of neuromyelitis optica or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder should be considered. Awareness of the possibility of CNS disease is important due to the serious nature of CNS complications, some of which are treatable with immunosuppressants. Our patient with Sjogren's syndrome who presented with myelopathy benefited from early recognition and institution of appropriate therapy.
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PMID:A Rare Case of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder in Patient with Sjogren's Syndrome. 2550 22