The possibility of using skin biopsy in the diagnosis of Lafora disease

Abstract

Lafora disease is a hereditary, autosomal recessive progressive myoclonus epilepsy caused by mutations in the EPM2A (laforin) and EPM2B (malin) genes, with no substantial genotype-phenotype differences between the two. Clinical manifestations of the disease are determined by the accumulation of specific cytoplasmic “amyloid inclusions” consisting of polyglycosans (an abnormally branched glycogen molecule). Polyglycosans, or Lafora bodies, are typically found in the brain, hepatocytes of the liver, skeletal and cardiac muscles, in the ducts of sweat glands, and in the skin. The diagnosis is made following visual, generalized tonic-clonic and myoclonic seizures, progressing dementia, cerebellar ataxia, detection of specific Lafora bodies during sweat gland biopsy and data of genetic testing.The article describes a clinical case of Lafora disease in a patient with disease onset at 11 years old caused by the mutation in the EPM2A (laforine) gene with focal sensory visual seizures with subsequent generalized tonic-clonic seizures, progressive motor impairments in the form of ataxia and gait abnormality as well as behavioral and cognitive disorders. The presented clinical case demonstrates the need for additional research, such as biopsy and genetic testing, for diagnosing diseases proceeding with resistant epileptic seizures and progressive motor and cognitive impairments.