Genetic characteristic and clinical features of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL)

Introduction. Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is one of the most common genetic causes of small-vessel cerebral diseases.

Objective. The aim of our study was to examine the frequency and severity of phenotypic spectrum in patients with CADASIL, including the study of the prevalence of the NOTCH3 gene mutations in patients with suspected CADASIL.

Material and methods. Sanger sequencing of exons 2–7, 11 of NOTCH3 gene was conducted in 314 patients with suspected CADASIL (confirmed by anamnesis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Clinical and MRI data were collected and analyzed for 14 patients with CADASIL.

Results. NOTCH3 gene aberrations in exons 2–7, 11 were detected in 34 of 314 examined patients, that is 11% of all cases. The most frequent aberrations are localized in exon 4 (70.4%), exon 3 and exon 6 (8.8%) of the NOTCH3 gene. A detailed analysis of clinical and instrumental data was conducted in 14 cases of confirmed CADASIL with pathogenic mutations.

Conclusion. The age of manifestation of CADASIL in the Russian population varies significantly. Patients without a previous history of TIA/stroke may have an atypical course of the disease, including cerebellar ataxia and epilepsy. MRI pattern of the CADASIL patients of the studied cohort showed no severe damage of external capsules and temporal lobes. Spinal cord lesion are not to be excluded as a CADASIL symptom.

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