EIF2B5 Research Articles

Druggable genome-wide Mendelian randomization for identifying the role of integrated stress response in therapeutic targets of bipolar disorder

For bipolar disorder (BD), the inconsistency of treatment guidelines and the long phases of pharmacological adjustment remain major challenges. BD is known to be comorbid with many medical and psychiatric conditions and they may share inflammatory and stress-related aetiologies, which could give rise to this association. The integrated stress response (ISR) responds to various stress conditions that lead to alterations in cellular homeostasis. However, as a causative mechanism underlying cognitive deficits and neurodegeneration in a broad range of brain disorders, the impact of ISR on BD is understudied. Mendelian randomization has been widely used to repurpose licensed drugs and discover novel therapeutic targets. Thus, we aimed to identify novel therapeutic targets for BD and analyze their pathophysiological mechanisms, using the summary data-based Mendelian Randomization (SMR) and Bayesian colocalization (COLOC) methods to integrate the summary-level data of the GWAS on BD and the expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) study in blood. We utilized the GWAS data including 41,917 BD cases and 371,549 controls from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and the eQTL data from 31,684 participants of predominantly European ancestry from the eQTLGen consortium. The SMR analysis identified the EIF2B5 gene that was associated with BD due to no linkage but pleiotropy or causality. The COLOC analysis strongly suggested that EIF2B5 and the trait of BD were affected by shared causal variants, and thus were colocalized. Utilizing data in EpiGraphDB we find other putative causal BD genes (EIF2AK4 and GSK3B) to prioritize potential alternative drug targets.

Vanishing white matter disease: imaging, clinical and molecular correlation in Brazilian families.

To characterize Vanishing White Matter Disease (VWM) cases from a Brazilian University Tertiary hospital, focusing on brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) aspects, clinical and molecular data. Medical records and brain MRI of 13 genetically confirmed VWM patients were reviewed. Epidemiological data such as age at symptom onset, gender and main symptoms were analyzed, along with genetic mutations and MRI characteristics, such as the distribution of white matter lesions and atrophy. The majority of patients were female, with the age of symptom onset ranging from 1year and 6months to 40years. All mutations were identified in the EIF2B5 gene, the most prevalent being c.338G > A (p.Arg113His), and a novel mutation related to the disease was discovered, c.1051G > A (p.Gly351Ser). Trauma or infection were significant triggers. The most frequent symptoms were ataxia and limb spasticity. All MRI scans displayed deep white matter involvement, cystic degeneration, with U-fibers relatively spared and a predilection for the frontoparietal region. Lesions in the corpus callosum and posterior fossa were present in all patients. Follow-up exams revealed the evolution of white matter lesions and cerebral atrophy, which correlated with clinical deterioration. VWM affects various age groups, with a significant clinical and genetic variability. A novel mutation associated with the disease is highlighted. MRI reveals a typical pattern of white matter involvement, characterized by diffuse lesions in the periventricular and deep regions, with subsequent extension to the subcortical areas, accompanied by cystic degeneration, and plays a crucial role in diagnosis and follow-up.

Evaluation of safety and early efficacy of AAV gene therapy in mouse models of vanishing white matter disease

Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter (VWM) is a progressive incurable white matter disease that most commonly occurs in childhood and presents with ataxia, spasticity, neurological degeneration, seizures, and premature death. A distinctive feature is episodes of rapid neurological deterioration provoked by stressors such as infection, seizures, or trauma. VWM is caused by autosomal recessive mutations in one of five genes that encode the eukaryotic initiation factor 2B complex, which is necessary for protein translation and regulation of the integrated stress response. The majority of mutations are in EIF2B5. Astrocytic dysfunction is central to pathophysiology, thereby constituting a potential therapeutic target. Herein we characterize two VWM murine models and investigate astrocyte-targeted adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9)-mediated EIF2B5 gene supplementation therapy asa therapeutic option for VWM. Our results demonstrate significant rescue in body weight, motor function, gait normalization, life extension, and finally, evidence that gene supplementation attenuates demyelination. Last, the greatest rescue results from a vector using a modified glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter-AAV9-gfaABC(1)D-EIF2B5-thereby supporting that astrocytic targeting is critical for disease correction. In conclusion, we demonstrate safety and early efficacy through treatment with a translatable astrocyte-targeted gene supplementation therapy for a disease that has no cure.

Association between homozygous c.318A>GT mutation in exon 2 of the EIF2B5 gene and the infantile form of vanishing white matter leukoencephalopathy

Association between homozygous c.318A>GT mutation in exon 2 of the EIF2B5 gene and the infantile form of vanishing white matter leukoencephalopathy

Teaching Neuro Images : Vanishing white matter ovarioleukodystrophy

A 21-year-old Pakistani woman with a history of 2 seizures at 20 months of age and consanguineous parents was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure and hyperprolactinemia. Her neurologic examination was normal. Brain imaging showed confluent white matter T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensities with periventricular cavitations (figure). Genetic testing showed homozygosity for a p.Lys273Arg missense mutation in the EIF2B2 gene (NM_014239.3: c.818A>G), which had previously been reported as disease-causing,1 and confirmed vanishing white matter (VWM) ovarioleukodystrophy. At 2-year follow-up, she remains neurologically asymptomatic with stable imaging. There is phenotypic variation in VWM disease and neurologic deterioration is associated with stressors (head trauma, fever).1,2

EIF2B2 gene mutation causing early onset vanishing white matter disease: a case report

BackgroundLeukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter (VWM) is an autosomal recessive neurological disease. The physiopathology of disease is still little understood, but it seems to involve impairment in maturation of astrocytes; as a consequence white matter is more prone to cellular stress. Disease is caused by mutations in five genes encoding subunits of the translation initiation factor eIF2B. We know five different types of VWM syndrome classified based different ages of onset (prenatal, infantile, childhood, juvenile and adult onset).Case presentationWe report the case of a 4-month-old boy with early seizure onset, recurrent hypoglycemia and post mortem diagnosis of vanishing white matter disease (VMD). At the admission he presented suspected critical episodes, resolved after intravenous administration of benzodiazepines. The brain MRI showed total absence of myelination that suggested hypomyelination leukoencephalopathy. The whole exome sequencing (WES) revealed a variant of EIF2B2 gene (p. Val308Met) present in homozygosity. In this case report we also describe the clinical evolution of seizures, in fact the epileptic seizures had a polymorphic aspect, from several complex partial seizures secondarily generalized to status epilepticus.ConclusionInfantile and early childhood onset forms are associated with chronic progressive neurological signs, with episodes of rapid neurological worsening, and poor prognosis, with death in few months or years. Clinical presentation of epilepsy is poorly documented and do not include detailed information about the type, time of onset and severity of seizures. No therapeutic strategies for VWM disease have been reported.

Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter caused by <i>EIF2B5</i> gene mutations: a case report

Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter (VWM disease) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with a specific magnetic resonance pattern characterized by diffuse lesions to the white matter and cystic degeneration. In this article, we report a case VWM disease in a boy with white matter lesions, in whom early onset and neurological symptoms suggested infantile form of the disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of biallelic mutations c.1688G>A (p.Arg563Gln) and c.1309G>A (p.Val437Met) in the EIF2B5 gene. The c.1309G>A mutation (p.Val437Met) was detected for the first time; it caused the development of severe disease.

A Vanishing White Matter Disease Case with a Homozygous Point Mutation in the EIF2B2 Gene Assessed by the Whole-Exome Sequencing

A 30-year-old female patient presented with a progressive gait disturbance, who had been previously diagnosed for cataract and ovarian failure. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a high signal intensity of white matter in fluid attenuated inversion recovery and low signal intensity in brain volume imaging, suggesting demyelinating leukodystrophy. Genetic analysis confirmed the pathogenic homozygous mutations c.245T>A in the EIF2B2 gene, which is associated with vanishing white matter disease.

Foetal onset of EIF2B related disorder in two siblings: cerebellar hypoplasia with absent Bergmann glia and severe hypomyelination

Bi-allelic pathogenic variants in genes of the EIF2B family are responsible for Childhood Ataxia with Central nervous system Hypomyelination/Vanishing White Matter disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the central white matter. Only seven molecularly proven cases with antenatal onset have been reported so far. We report for the first time the neuropathological findings obtained from two foetuses harbouring deleterious variants in the EIF2B5 gene who presented in utero growth retardation and microcephaly with simplified gyral pattern that led to a medical termination of the pregnancy at 27 and 32 weeks of gestation. Neuropathological examination confirmed microcephaly with delayed gyration, periventricular pseudo-cysts and severe cerebellar hypoplasia. Histologically, the cerebellar cortex was immature, the dentate nuclei were fragmented and myelin stains revealed almost no myelination of the infratentorial structures. Bergmann glia was virtually absent associated to a drastic decreased number of mature astrocytes in the cerebellar white matter, multiple nestin-positive immature astrocytes as well as increased numbers of PDGRFα-positive oligodendrocyte precursors. Whole exome sequencing performed in the two foetuses and their parents allowed the identification of two EIF2B5 compound heterozygous variants in the two foetuses: c.468C > G p.Ile156Met and c.1165G > A p.Val389Met, the parents being heterozygous carriers. These variants are absent in the genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD r2.0.2). Contrary to the variant Ile156Met already described in a patient with CACH syndrome, the variant p.Val389Met is novel and predicted to be deleterious using several softwares. Neuropathological findings further expand the phenotypic spectrum of the disease that very likely occurs during early gestation and may manifest from the second half of pregnancy by a severe impairment of cerebral and cerebellar development.

Clinical features of 54 cases of leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter disease in children

Objective: To summarize the clinical features of leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter disease (VWM) in children. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 54 genetically diagnosed VWM patients in Peking University First Hospital from January 2007 to March 2019. Paper registration form and electronic medical record system were used to collect the data,and the children were divided into five groups according to the age of disease onset:<1 year, 1-<2 years, 2-<4 years, 4-<8 years and 8-<18 years respectively. The progression of motor function, episodic aggravation, epileptic seizures, survival time, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and genotype features were analyzed and compared. Non-parametric test, χ(2) test or Fisher's exact test were used for comparison among groups; Kaplan-Meier survival curve was adopted to delineate the survival status of the children. Results: Fifty-four VWM patients were included in the study, including 34 males and 20 females.The age of disease onset was 2 years and 8 months (ranged from 6 months to 9 years and 7 months). Onset age was less than 1 year in 5 cases; onset age was 1-<2 years in 12 cases; onset age was 2-<4 years in 25 cases; onset age was 4-<8 years, in 10 cases; onset age was 8-<18 years in 2 cases; 94% (51/54) of patients had complaint of motor regression at the first visit; 87% (47/54) of patients suffered from episodic aggravation. Episodic seizures occurred in 43% (23/54) patients. In survivors with disease durations of 1-3 years, in 38% (9/24) patients the disease was classified as grades Ⅳ-Ⅴ by gross motor function classification system (GMFCS). For the onset age 1-<2 years group, 1 patient was classified as GMFCS Ⅳ among 3 survivors with disease durations of 1-3 years. As for the 2-<4 years group, 6 patients were classified as GMFCS Ⅳ-Ⅴ among 15 patients with disease durations of 1-3 years, whereas 1 patient was classified as GMFCS Ⅳ-Ⅴ among 4 patients with disease durations of 1-3 years in the 4-<8 years group. Lesions, liquefaction and diffusion restriction in brain MRI were compared among different groups, and it was revealed that the earlier the age of disease onset was, the more likely the subcortical white matter (frontal lobe P<0.01,temporal and parieto-occipital lobe both P=0.002), internal capsule (anterior limb P<0.01, posterior limb P=0.00) and brain stem (midbrain P=0.001, pons P<0.01) were to be involved. In addition, internal capsule (anterior limb P=0.002, posterior limb P=0.005) and brain stem (midbrain P=0.001, pons P=0.003) showed more diffuse restricted diffusion. Moreover, the subcortical white matter (frontal and parieto-occipital lobe both P<0.01, temporal lobe P=0.005) showed earlier rarefaction. The 1-year and 2-year survival rates of the overall patients were 81% and 75% respectively, while the 15-year survival rate was 45%. EIF2B5 gene variation was the most common, which accounts for 43% (23/54), followed by EIF2B3 (22%, 12/54). Conclusions: The majority of VWM patients complained of motor regression at the first visit, episodic aggravation and epileptic seizures are common in the course. Earlier age at onset is associated with more rapid clinical progression, shorter survival time as well as more extensive lesions, liquefaction and diffusion restriction in brain MRI. The most common variant gene is EIF2B5, followed by EIF2B3.

Glial pathology in a novel spontaneous mutant mouse of the Eif2b5 gene: a vanishing white matter disease model.

Vanishing white matter disease (VWM) is an autosomal recessive neurological disorder caused by mutation(s) in any subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B), an activator of translation initiation factor eIF2. VWM occurs with mutation of the genes encoding eIF2B subunits (EIF2B1, EIF2B2, EIF2B3, EIF2B4, and EIF2B5). However, little is known regarding the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms or how to treat patients with VWM. Here we describe the identification and detailed analysis of a new spontaneous mutant mouse harboring a point mutation in the Eif2b5 gene (p.Ile98Met). Homozygous Eif2b5I98M mutant mice exhibited a small body, abnormal gait, male and female infertility, epileptic seizures, and a shortened lifespan. Biochemical analyses indicated that the mutant eIF2B protein with the Eif2b5I98M mutation decreased guanine nucleotide exchange activity on eIF2, and the level of the endoplasmic reticulum stress marker activating transcription factor 4 was elevated in the 1-month-old Eif2b5I98M brain. Histological analyses indicated up-regulated glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in the astrocytes of the Eif2b5I98M forebrain and translocation of Bergmann glia in the Eif2b5I98M cerebellum, as well as increased mRNA expression of an endoplasmic reticulum stress marker, C/EBP homologous protein. Disruption of myelin and clustering of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells were also indicated in the white matter of the Eif2b5I98M spinal cord at 8months old. Our data show that Eif2b5I98M mutants are a good model for understanding VWM pathogenesis and therapy development. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14751.

Adult-onset vanishing white matter disease with the EIF2B2 gene mutation presenting as menometrorrhagia

BackgroundVanishing white matter disease (VWMD) is one of the most prevalent inherited leukoencephalopathies, which generally presents in childhood as a progressive disorder while less beginning in adulthood. The present report describes the clinical, neuroimaging, and genetic findings of a female patient with adult-onset VWMD. In addition, to provide a clearer delineation of the clinical and genetic characteristics of female adult-onset VWMD patients, 32 genetically confirmed female adult-onset EIF2B-mutated cases are summarized.Case presentationThe patient described here suffered from long-term menometrorrhagia prior to manifesting progressive neurological impairments that included tremors, bilateral pyramidal tract injury, cerebellar ataxia, and dementia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first female patient with adult-onset VWMD suffering from long-term menometrorrhagia attributed to the c.254 T > A and c.496A > G mutations in the EIF2B2 gene; the c.496A > G mutation has not been reported in previous studies. The patient also exhibited metabolic dysfunction. The present findings widen the spectrum of phenotypic heterogeneity observed in VWMD patients.ConclusionsThe present report summarizes 33 female patients with adult-onset VWMD to provide an overview of the clinical and genetic characteristics of this disorder and ovarioleukodystrophy. The mean age of clinical onset in female patients with adult-onset VWMD was 36.8 years and the neurological symptoms primarily included motor and cognitive dysfunction such as paraparesis, cerebellar ataxia, and executive deficits. In addition, ovarian failure occurred in all of these female patients and usually preceded the neurological symptoms. Furthermore, several patients also suffered from metabolic dysfunction. All 33 patients had mutations on EIF2B1–5, and of these, the c.338 G > A mutation in the EIF2B5 gene (p.Arg113His) was the most common. These findings suggest that clinicians should be aware of adult-onset forms of VWMD as well as its typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical characteristics although this pathology is usually recognized as a pediatric disorder. No curative treatment is presently available, and thus early recognition is important to prevent triggering events and to allow for genetic counseling.

Seizure as the Early and Main Manifestation of Infantile Vanishing White Matter Disease: A Case Report

Introduction: Vanishing white matter disease (VWM) is considered as one of the most frequent types of inherited childhood leukoencephalopathies. Various neurological and non-neurological manifestations have been reported in this type of leukodystrophy; however, seizures are rarely described in infantile type of VWM. Case Presentation: To patient is a 12 months old boy who experienced frequent seizures at 4th month of age. The seizures were resistant to anti-epileptic drugs and caused 3 periods of hospitalization. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated demyelinating pattern and whole exome sequencing (WES) reported homozygous mutation (c.922G > A) in EIF2B2 gene in exon 8 leading to an amino-acid substitution (p.Val308Met). Conclusions: Infantile onset of vanishing white matter disease can be considered as one of few childhood leukodystrophies that are associated with early onset seizures.

Rapid Targeted Genomics in Critically Ill Newborns

Rapid diagnostic whole-genome sequencing has been explored in critically ill newborns, hoping to improve their clinical care and replace time-consuming and/or invasive diagnostic testing. A previous retrospective study in a research setting showed promising results with diagnoses in 57%, but patients were highly selected for known and likely Mendelian disorders. The aim of our prospective study was to assess the speed and yield of rapid targeted genomic diagnostics for clinical application. We included 23 critically ill children younger than 12 months in ICUs over a period of 2 years. A quick diagnosis could not be made after routine clinical evaluation and diagnostics. Targeted analysis of 3426 known disease genes was performed by using whole-genome sequencing data. We measured diagnostic yield, turnaround times, and clinical consequences. A genetic diagnosis was obtained in 7 patients (30%), with a median turnaround time of 12 days (ranging from 5 to 23 days). We identified compound heterozygous mutations in the EPG5 gene (Vici syndrome), the RMND1 gene (combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency-11), and the EIF2B5 gene (vanishing white matter), and homozygous mutations in the KLHL41 gene (nemaline myopathy), the GFER gene (progressive mitochondrial myopathy), and the GLB1 gene (GM1-gangliosidosis). In addition, a 1p36.33p36.32 microdeletion was detected in a child with cardiomyopathy. Rapid targeted genomics combined with copy number variant detection adds important value in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care setting. It led to a fast diagnosis in 30% of critically ill children for whom the routine clinical workup was unsuccessful.

Multiple Sclerosis and EIF2B5: A Paradox or a Missing Link.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an encumbering inflammatory condition of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by axonal demyelination. There is sufficient evidence suggesting role of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (EIF2B) gene family encoding the five subunits of eIF2B complex-α, β, γ, δ and ε respectively, in causing vanishing white matter (VWM) disease of the brain. Incidentally researchers have proposed overlapping between MS and VWM in terms of clinical, biochemical and genetic aspects, which incited us to write this chapter to explore the association between EIF2B5 and MS. eIF2B plays an essential role in translation initiation and its regulation in eukaryotes. Among EIF2B gene family, EIF2B5 gene encodes the catalytic and a crucial epsilon subunit of the eIF2B protein as most of the alterations have been found in this gene. The recent findings on the association between EIF2B5 and MS susceptibility point towards unfathomable and contentious role of EIF2B5 in MS development. This chapter briefly reviews the insights gleaned from recent studies conducted in understanding the association between EIF2B5 and MS risk. The need of hour is to conduct large scale conclusive studies aimed at expounding the mechanisms behind this relationship.

No evidence for a role of Ile587Val polymorphism of EIF2B5 gene in multiple sclerosis in Kashmir Valley of India

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory neurodegenerative disease of the nervous system with a profound genetic element. It is already known that alterations in Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 2B (EIF2B) gene encoding the five subunits of eIF2B complex cause Vanishing White Matter (VWM) disease of the brain and emerging evidences have advocated certain resemblances between MS and VWM in terms of clinical and epidemiological characteristics, thus validating the association study between EIF2B and MS. Moreover, a recent study has implicated EIF2B5 Ile587Val (rs843358) polymorphism as a susceptibility factor for MS. In order to investigate the association of EIF2B5 Ile587Val polymorphism with MS susceptibility in Kashmir region in India, we screened EIF2B5 Exon 13 in 30 MS patients and 65 controls (a total of 95 participants). During the present course of study, we could not find statistically significant difference in the frequency of Ile587Val between MS patients and controls, thus indicating that such alteration does not appear to influence MS development in Kashmiri population. Our results provide evidence against a major role for Ile587Val polymorphism in MS susceptibility.

The role of prolonged excessive activation of unfolded protein response pathway in the pathogenesis of leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter

Objective Intolerance to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and biomarkers in unfolded protein response (UPR) were measured, which provided clues to the investigation of potential pathogenesis. Methods Human oligodendrocytes cell lines transfected with full length EIF2B3 cDNA of the wild type or c. 1037T>C, were used as the cell model.Thapsigargin induced ERS condition.Cleaved Caspase-3 and cell viability assays (cell counting kit-8) were applied to reflect ERS tolerance between the wild type and mutant oligodendrocytes under baseline (0 h) or diffe-rent time points after ERS induction.The components in UPR pancreatic ER kinase-like ER kinase(UPR-PERK) pathway were also measured under baseline condition and after ERS induction. Results (1)Oligodendrocytes transfected with the mutant EIF2B3 showed less tolerance to ERS than the wild type, with declined cell viability and increased apoptosis rates.(2)UPR pathway was over activated in human oligodendrocyte cell line transfected with EIF2B3 mutation.(3)Western blot showed UPR biomarkers of phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α(P-eIF2α), activating transcription factor 4, CCAAT enhancer-binding homologous protein (CHOP) and growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene 34(GADD34) were expressed at a higher level in the mutant cells under basal condition.(4)The expression of apoptosis related UPR factors (CHOP, GADD34) and P-eIF2α stayed at a higher level from 24 to 72 hours with the time of ERS stimulation in the mutant cells, but decreased in the wild type group. Conclusions Oligodendrocytes with EIF2B3 were less tolerable to ERS. The ERS susceptibility is related to UPR mediated apoptotic cell death. The relief of the endoplasmic reticulum burden and stabilization of the over-activated UPR are the potential approaches for the delay of the progressive aggravation of the disease. Key words: Vanishing white matter disease; EIF2B3; Unfolded protein response; Endoplasmic reticulum stress

Genotypic features of EIF2B1-5 in Chinese patients with vanishing white matter disease

Objective To analyze the genotype of Chinese patients clinically diagnosed with vanishing white matter disease(VWM) clinically and to provide the genetic diagnostic strategy for children with VWM. Methods Thirty-three Chinese patients were sequenced in the coding regions and splice sites of EIF2B1-5.Copy number variations(CNVs) were tested in mutation negative patients.Among the 9 patients who carried mutations in eIF2Bγ, 7 cases(78%, 7/9 cases) harbored at least one copy of the c. 1037T>C(p.Ile346Thr). The nature of founder mutation was suspected and determined by allele-specific PCR. Results 1.Mutations in EIF2B1-5 were identified in 29 cases(88%, 29/33 cases), which was compared with the data from Caucasian patients(88% vs 90%).2.Thirty-two diffe-rent mutations were identified, consisting of 23 novel and 9 previously reported mutations.3.The constituent ratio of patients was different from caucasian patients.In 29 mutation-positive children, EIF2B5 accounted for 38%(11/29 cases), EIF2B3 31%(9/29 cases), EIF2B4 17%(5/29 cases), EIF2B2 10%(3/29 cases), and EIF2B1 accounted for 3%(1/29 cases). Patients with EIF2B3 mutations were more common in Chinese patients.4.The SNPs on the mutant allele amplified by allele specific PCR were compared among all the patients who harbored the EIF2B3-c.1037T>C mutation.Within 2 200 bp up and down stream surrounding the c. 1037, all the mutant alleles shared the same SNPs. Conclusions The percentage of Chinese patients with EIF2B3 mutation is much higher than that of Caucasian population(31% vs 4%), indicating that Chinese children with VWM have unique spectrum of mutations.EIF2B3-c.1037T>C is the founder mutations in Chinese patients. Key words: Vanishing white matter disease; Genotype; Founder mutation

Hemiparesia como signo de comienzo de la enfermedad de la sustancia blanca evanescente. Identificación de una nueva mutación

Vanishing white matter disease is a genetic disorder of autosomal recessive inheritance that affects the brain white matter There are various phenotypes that differ in severity and age at onset. Usually, it is characterized by ataxia, spasticity and a progressive motor decline with exacerbations triggered by fever and mild head traumas.The patient was a 2.5 year-old girl who developed unstable gait, left hemiparesis and increased tendon reflexes following a mild head trauma. Brain MRI showed diffuse and symmetric white matter abnormalities with decreased signal on T1 and increased signal on T2 and FLAIR sequences. Vanishing White Matter disease was suspected. The diagnosis was confirmed by genetic molecular testing that showed 2 mutations in EIF2B5 gene. Both mutations were considered pathogenic, although one had not been previously described.Hemiparesis must be included among clinical features of vanishing white matter disease. Early diagnosis can help to avoid infections and traumas and allows families to be genetically counselled. Our case contributes with the identification of a new mutation in EIF2B5 gene (p.Gly132Ala in position 395), not previously described. Its characteristics suggest a high probability of being pathogenic. We believe that it should be considered among the complex EIF2B mutations responsible for the disease.

Vanishing white matter disease: an Italian case with A638G mutation in exon 5 of EIF2B2 gene, an unusual early onset and a long course

We report the clinical description of an Italian patient with c.638A>G mutation in exon 5 of EIF2B2 gene and a very slow progressive Vanishing White Matter disease phenotype. Infact, in relation to her causative mutation, our patient had an unusual early onset and long course. Furthermore, other than standard MRI examination and spectroscopy study, we report DWI and ADC maps and FA maps reconstruction from DTI in order to describe brain tissue degeneration in vanishing white matter disease.