%0 Journal Article %T Frequency and phenotypic spectrum of KMT2B dystonia in childhood: A single-center cohort study. %A Carecchio M %A Invernizzi F %A Gonzàlez-Latapi P %A Panteghini C %A Zorzi G %A Romito L %A Leuzzi V %A Galosi S %A Reale C %A Zibordi F %A Joseph AP %A Topf M %A Piano C %A Bentivoglio AR %A Girotti F %A Morana P %A Morana B %A Kurian MA %A Garavaglia B %A Mencacci NE %A Lubbe SJ %A Nardocci N %J Mov Disord %V 34 %N 10 %D 10 2019 %M 31216378 %F 9.698 %R 10.1002/mds.27771 %X Childhood-onset dystonia is often genetically determined. Recently, KMT2B variants have been recognized as an important cause of childhood-onset dystonia.
To define the frequency of KMT2B mutations in a cohort of dystonic patients aged <18 years at onset, the associated clinical and radiological phenotype, and the natural history of disease.
Whole-exome sequencing or customized gene panels were used to screen a cohort of 65 patients who had previously tested negative for all other known dystonia-associated genes.
We identified 14 patients (21.5%) carrying KMT2B variants, of which 1 was classified as a variant of unknown significance. We also identified 2 additional patients carrying pathogenic mutations in GNAO1 and ATM. Overall, we established a definitive genetic diagnosis in 23% of cases. We observed a spectrum of clinical manifestations in KMT2B variant carriers, ranging from generalized dystonia to short stature or intellectual disability alone, even within the same family. In 78.5% of cases, dystonia involved the lower limbs at onset, with later caudocranial generalization. Eight patients underwent pallidal DBS with a median decrease of Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale-Motor score of 38.5% in the long term. We also report on 4 asymptomatic carriers, suggesting that some KMT2B mutations may be associated with incomplete disease penetrance.
KMT2B mutations are frequent in childhood-onset dystonia and cause a complex neurodevelopmental syndrome, often featuring growth retardation and intellectual disability as additional phenotypic features. A dramatic and long-lasting response to DBS is characteristic of DYT-KMT2B dystonia. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.