[A woman with beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration identified by the WDR45 mutation presenting as Rett-like syndrome in childhood]

Abstract

Beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN) is one of the neurodegenerative disorders characterized by iron deposition in the brain and is the only known disease in humans to be caused by an aberration in autophagocytosis. Here, we present the case of a 42-year-old woman with BPAN identified by the WDR45 mutation. From early childhood, she was recognized as having global developmental delay, and she frequently sucked her hand, which was considered to be a stereotypical movement. She had a febrile convulsion at 6 months of age but there was no history of epilepsy. The delay in language development was more severe than the delay in motor development; she was able to dress herself, walk unaided, and follow simple instructions until adolescence. After the age of 20, her movement ability rapidly declined. By the time she was 42 years old, she was bedridden and unable to communicate. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 21 years revealed no abnormality except non-specific cerebral atrophy. However, MRI at 39 years revealed abnormalities in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra, with neurodegeneration and iron accumulation in the brain. Genetic analysis for WDR45 revealed that she had a splice site mutation (NM_007075.3: c.830 + 2 T > C) which was previously reported, and a diagnosis of BPAN was confirmed. For specific therapies to be developed for BPAN in the future, it is necessary to establish early diagnosis, including genetic analysis.