DYT-PRKRA

Alternate names

DYT16; Young-onset dystonia-(parkinsonism); Dystonia-16

Definition

Dystonia 16 is one of many forms of dystonia, which is a group of conditions characterized by involuntary movements, twisting (torsion) and tensing of various muscles, and unusual positioning of affected body parts.

Epidemiology

It has been described in 8 patients from three Brazilian families and one German family to date.

Cause

• Dystonia 16 is caused by mutations in the PRKRA gene, which provides instructions for making a protein called PACT.
• The PACT protein helps control a cell's response to stress, such as exposure to viruses, damaging molecules called free radicals, or other toxic substances.
• When a cell is under stress, the PACT protein turns on signals that reduce protein production, which helps protect cells from damage.
• These signals can ultimately lead to self-destruction (apoptosis) of the cell if it remains under stress.

Gene mutations

• PRKRA gene mutations result in production of abnormal PACT proteins.
• The pattern of signals stimulated by these abnormal proteins in response to stress is altered, which increases the rate at which cell death occurs.
• Researchers suspect that the excessive loss of cells in certain regions of the brain impairs the brain's ability to control muscles and movement, resulting in the features of dystonia 16.
• It is unclear why brain cells are particularly affected by PRKRA gene mutations.

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive inheritance, a 25% chance

DYT16 is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, and genetic counseling is possible and recommended.

Signs and symptoms

• The signs and symptoms of dystonia 16 vary among people with the condition.
• In many affected individuals, the disorder first affects muscles in one or both arms or legs.
• Tensing (contraction) of the muscles often sets the affected limb in an abnormal position, which may be painful and can lead to difficulty performing tasks, such as walking.
• In others, muscles in the neck are affected first, causing the head to be pulled backward and positioned with the chin in the air (retrocollis).
• In dystonia 16, muscles of the jaw, lips, and tongue are also commonly affected (oromandibular dystonia), causing difficulty opening and closing the mouth and problems with swallowing and speech.
• Speech can also be affected by involuntary tensing of the muscles that control the vocal cords (laryngeal dystonia), resulting in a quiet, breathy voice or an inability to speak clearly.
• Dystonia 16 gradually gets worse, eventually involving muscles in most parts of the body.
• Some people with dystonia 16 develop a pattern of movement abnormalities known as parkinsonism.
• These abnormalities include unusually slow movement (bradykinesia), muscle rigidity, tremors, and an inability to hold the body upright and balanced (postural instability).
• In dystonia 16, parkinsonism is relatively mild if it develops at all.
• The signs and symptoms of dystonia 16 usually do not get better when treated with drugs that are typically used for movement disorders.

Clinical presentation

For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed.

80%-99% of people have these symptoms

• Limb dystonia

30%-79% of people have these symptoms

• Abnormal pyramidal sign
• Bradykinesia(Slow movements)
• Dysarthria(Difficulty articulating speech)
• Dysphagia(Poor swallowing)
• Dysphonia(Inability to produce voice sounds)
• Hyperreflexia(Increased reflexes)
• Lower limb pain(Leg pain)
• Orofacial dyskinesia
• Parkinsonism
• Postural tremor
• Torticollis(Wry neck)
• Unsteady gait(Unsteady walk)

5%-29% of people have these symptoms

• Cognitive impairment(Abnormality of cognition)
• Motor delay

1%-4% of people have these symptoms

• Intellectual disability(Mental deficiency)

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on DYT-PRKRA

DYT-PRKRA is a rare disease.