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{{Infobox_Disease |
__NOTOC__
  Name          = {{PAGENAME}} |
  Image          = |
  Caption        = |
  DiseasesDB    = 29298 |
  ICD10          = {{ICD10|G|31|8|g|30}} |
  ICD9          = {{ICD9|330.8}} |
  ICDO          = |
  OMIM          = 203700 |
  MedlinePlus    = |
  eMedicineSubj  = |
  eMedicineTopic = |
  MeshID        = D002549 |
}}
{{SI}}
{{SI}}
{{CMG}}
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{ZMalik}}
 
{{SK}} [[Alpers-Huttenlocher Syndrome]], [[Progressive Infantile Poliodystrophy]], [[Mitochondrial Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) depletion syndrome-4A]]


==Overview==
==Overview==
'''Alpers' disease''', also called '''Alpers' syndrome''',<ref name="naude2004">Naudé, J te Water, C M Verity, R G Will, G Devereux, and L Stellitano. (2004.) [http://jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/75/6/910 "Is variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in young children misdiagnosed as Alpers’ syndrome? An analysis of a national surveillance study"] ''Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry'', 2004;75:910-913. (Fee for full text.) Retrieved on [[2007]]-[[09-27]].</ref> '''progressive neuronal degeneration of childhood''',<ref name="naude2004" /> '''progressive sclerosing poliodystrophy''', and '''progressive infantile poliodystrophy''', is a progressive degenerative disease of the [[central nervous system]] that occurs in infants and children. It is an autosomal recessive disorder that is sometimes seen in siblings.
'''Alpers' disease''' is an [[autosomal recessive]] genetic syndrome characterized by [[seizures]], [[hepatopathy]], and progressive [[cognitive impairment]]. It is caused by [[mutation]] in the [[POLG]] gene resulting in [[mitochondrial DNA]] depletion.
 
==Historical Perspective==
*Alpers disease was first described by a North-American neurologist named, Bernard Jacob Alpers in 1931.<ref name="Alpers1931">{{cite journal|last1=Alpers|first1=Bernard J.|title=DIFFUSE PROGRESSIVE DEGENERATION OF THE GRAY MATTER OF THE CEREBRUM|journal=Archives of Neurology And Psychiatry|volume=25|issue=3|year=1931|pages=469|issn=0096-6754|doi=10.1001/archneurpsyc.1931.02230030027002}}</ref>
*In 1970, Peter Richard Huttenlocher a [[pediatric]] [[neurologist]] and [[neuroscientist]] described more [[phenotypic]] features associated with the disease. <ref name="HuttenlocherSolitare1976">{{cite journal|last1=Huttenlocher|first1=P. R.|last2=Solitare|first2=G. B.|last3=Adams|first3=G.|title=Infantile Diffuse Cerebral Degeneration With Hepatic Cirrhosis|journal=Archives of Neurology|volume=33|issue=3|year=1976|pages=186–192|issn=0003-9942|doi=10.1001/archneur.1976.00500030042009}}</ref>
*Alpers disease is also refered as Alpers–Huttenlocher syndrome.
 
==Classification==
*There is no established system for the [[classification]] of Alpers disease.
 
==Pathophysiology==
*Alpers disease is inherited in an [[autosomal recessive]] pattern.
*[[Mutation]] in [[POLG]]1 [[gene]] reduces [[polymerase gamma]] functionality resulting in defective [[mitochondrial DNA]] replication and causing depletion of [[mitochondrial DNA]]. <ref name="pmid22176657">{{cite journal| author=Copeland WC| title=Defects in mitochondrial DNA replication and human disease. | journal=Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol | year= 2012 | volume= 47 | issue= 1 | pages= 64-74 | pmid=22176657 | doi=10.3109/10409238.2011.632763 | pmc=3244805 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22176657  }} </ref>
*[[Heterozygous]] [[mutation]] of POLG1 [[gene]] causes classic and severe presentation of the disease at an early age of onset.
*[[Homozygous]] [[mutation]] results in the milder form with onset of symptoms in adolescence.<ref name="SanetoCohen2013">{{cite journal|last1=Saneto|first1=Russell P.|last2=Cohen|first2=Bruce H.|last3=Copeland|first3=William C.|last4=Naviaux|first4=Robert K.|title=Alpers-Huttenlocher Syndrome|journal=Pediatric Neurology|volume=48|issue=3|year=2013|pages=167–178|issn=08878994|doi=10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.09.014}}</ref>
*[[Brain]], [[liver]] and [[skeletal muscles]] are most involved due to high number of [[mitochondria]].<ref name="pmid23419467]">{{cite journal| author=Saneto RP, Cohen BH, Copeland WC, Naviaux RK| title=Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome. | journal=Pediatr Neurol | year= 2013 | volume= 48 | issue= 3 | pages= 167-78 | pmid=23419467] | doi=10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.09.014 | pmc=3578656 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23419467  }} </ref>
 
==Causes==
*Alpers disease is a [[mitochondrial disorder]] caused by a mutation in the [[POLG1]] gene.<ref name="pmid25914719">{{cite journal| author=Qian Y, Ziehr JL, Johnson KA| title=Alpers disease mutations in human DNA polymerase gamma cause catalytic defects in mitochondrial DNA replication by distinct mechanisms. | journal=Front Genet | year= 2015 | volume= 6 | issue=  | pages= 135 | pmid=25914719 | doi=10.3389/fgene.2015.00135 | pmc=4391263 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=25914719  }} </ref>
 
==Differentiating Alpers disease from other Diseases==
*Alpers disease must be differentiated from other [[mitochondrial]] diseases caused [[POLG]] [[gene]] [[mutation]]:
**[[Childhood Myocerbrohepatopathy Spectrum Disorder]]<ref name="pmid20301791">{{cite journal| author=Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Stephens K | display-authors=etal| title=GeneReviews® | journal= | year= 1993 | volume=  | issue=  | pages=  | pmid=20301791 | doi= | pmc= | url= }} </ref>
**Myoclonus epilepsy myopathy sensory ataxia (MEMSA)
**[[Progressive external ophthalmoplegia]]<ref name="pmid18546365">{{cite journal| author=Wong LJ, Naviaux RK, Brunetti-Pierri N, Zhang Q, Schmitt ES, Truong C | display-authors=etal| title=Molecular and clinical genetics of mitochondrial diseases due to POLG mutations. | journal=Hum Mutat | year= 2008 | volume= 29 | issue= 9 | pages= E150-72 | pmid=18546365 | doi=10.1002/humu.20824 | pmc=2891192 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=18546365  }} </ref>
 
==Epidemiology and Demographics==
*The [[prevalence]] of Alpers disease is approximately 1 per 100,000 individuals worldwide.
*Alpers disease affects men and women equally.
*Higher [[carrier]] frequency is seen in the Northern European population.<ref name="pmid23419467]">{{cite journal| author=Saneto RP, Cohen BH, Copeland WC, Naviaux RK| title=Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome. | journal=Pediatr Neurol | year= 2013 | volume= 48 | issue= 3 | pages= 167-78 | pmid=23419467] | doi=10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.09.014 | pmc=3578656 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23419467  }} </ref> Although, it is seen in other ethnic groups as well.
 
==Risk Factors==
*There are no established risk factors for Alpers disease.
 
==Screening==
*There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine [[screening]] for Alpers disease.
 
==Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis==
*Common complications of Alpers disease include [[seizures]], [[liver failure]] poor growth, infection-associated [[encephalopathy]], increased muscle tone, [[gastrointesinal dysfunction]], [[dilated cardiomyopathy]], [[dementia]], [[cortical blindness]], [[spasticity]], [[jaundice]] and/or [[ascites]].<ref name="pmid27555780">{{cite journal| author=Saneto RP| title=Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome: the role of a multidisciplinary health care team. | journal=J Multidiscip Healthc | year= 2016 | volume= 9 | issue=  | pages= 323-33 | pmid=27555780 | doi=10.2147/JMDH.S84900 | pmc=4968991 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=27555780  }} </ref>
*The [[prognosis]] is generally poor, death usually occurs within ten years after diagnosis due to life threatening complications of the disease.


==Presentation==
==Diagnosis==
First signs of the disease, which include intractable [[seizure]]s and failure to meet meaningful developmental milestones, usually occur in infancy, after the first year of life, but sometimes as late as the fifth year. Primary symptoms of the disease are developmental delay, progressive [[mental retardation]], hypotonia (low muscle tone), spasticity (stiffness of the limbs) possibly leading to [[quadriplegia]], and progressive [[dementia]]. Seizures may include [[epilepsia partialis continua]], a type of seizure that consists of repeated myoclonic (muscle) jerks. [[Optic nerve|Optic]] atrophy may also occur, often leading to [[blindness]]. [[Deafness]] may also occur. And, although physical signs of chronic [[liver]] dysfunction may not be present, many patients suffer liver impairment leading to liver failure. While some researchers believe that Alpers' disease is caused by an underlying metabolic defect, no consistent defect has been identified. [[Pathology|Pathologically]], there is status spongiosus of the cerebral grey matter.
'''Diagnostic Study of Choice'''
*There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of Alpers disease. However, it usually manifests with a triad consist of refractory [[seizures]], [[hepatopathy]], and psychomotor regression.
*The diagnosis is established by testing for the [[POLG]] gene.<ref name="SanetoCohen2013">{{cite journal|last1=Saneto|first1=Russell P.|last2=Cohen|first2=Bruce H.|last3=Copeland|first3=William C.|last4=Naviaux|first4=Robert K.|title=Alpers-Huttenlocher Syndrome|journal=Pediatric Neurology|volume=48|issue=3|year=2013|pages=167–178|issn=08878994|doi=10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.09.014}}</ref>
 
'''History and Symptoms'''
*Alpers disease has a bimodal age of onset. The majority cases present in first two years of life and the rest present between the ages of 2 and 25.<ref name="HayhurstAnagnostou2018">{{cite journal|last1=Hayhurst|first1=Hannah|last2=Anagnostou|first2=Maria‐Eleni|last3=Bogle|first3=Helen J.|last4=Grady|first4=John P.|last5=Taylor|first5=Robert W.|last6=Bindoff|first6=Laurence A.|last7=McFarland|first7=Robert|last8=Turnbull|first8=Doug M.|last9=Lax|first9=Nichola Z.|title=Dissecting the neuronal vulnerability underpinning Alpers’ syndrome: a clinical and neuropathological study|journal=Brain Pathology|volume=29|issue=1|year=2018|pages=97–113|issn=1015-6305|doi=10.1111/bpa.12640}}</ref>
*Alpers disease is characterized by presence of refractory [[seizures]], [[psychomotor regression]] and liver failure.
*Other symptoms may include hypoglycemia secondary to underlying liver disease, vision changes, [[migraines]], [[hallucinations]], [[cognitive impairment]], [[depression]], [[anxiety]] and/or [[ataxia]].<ref name="pmid27555780">{{cite journal| author=Saneto RP| title=Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome: the role of a multidisciplinary health care team. | journal=J Multidiscip Healthc | year= 2016 | volume= 9 | issue=  | pages= 323-33 | pmid=27555780 | doi=10.2147/JMDH.S84900 | pmc=4968991 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=27555780  }} </ref>
 
'''Physical Examination'''
*Common physical examination findings of Alpers disease include [[spasticity]], [[ataxia]], altered muscle tone.
*Other physical findings include poor growth, developmental delay, failure to thrive, and/or vision changes.
 
'''Laboratory Findings'''
*There are no diagnostic laboratory findings associated with Alpers disease.
*However [[CSF]] [[lactate]] may be elevated in some cases due to respiratory chain disorder.<ref name="WolfRahman2009">{{cite journal|last1=Wolf|first1=Nicole I.|last2=Rahman|first2=Shamima|last3=Schmitt|first3=Bernhard|last4=Taanman|first4=Jan-Willem|last5=Duncan|first5=Andrew J.|last6=Harting|first6=Inga|last7=Wohlrab|first7=Gabriele|last8=Ebinger|first8=Friedrich|last9=Rating|first9=Dietz|last10=Bast|first10=Thomas|title=Status epilepticus in children with Alpers’ disease caused byPOLG1mutations: EEG and MRI features|journal=Epilepsia|volume=50|issue=6|year=2009|pages=1596–1607|issn=00139580|doi=10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01877.x}}</ref>
 
'''Electrocardiogram'''
*There are no ECG findings associated with Alpers disease. However, [[cardiomyopathy]] may be one of the possible complications of Alpers disease.<ref name="Holmgren2003">{{cite journal|last1=Holmgren|first1=D|title=Cardiomyopathy in children with mitochondrial disease Clinical course and cardiological findings|journal=European Heart Journal|volume=24|issue=3|year=2003|pages=280–288|issn=0195668X|doi=10.1016/S0195-668X(02)00387-1}}</ref>
 
'''X-ray'''
*There are no [[x-ray]] findings associated with Alpers disease.
 
'''Echocardiography or Ultrasound'''
*There are no diagnostic [[echocardiography]]/[[ultrasound]] findings associated with Alpers disease.
 
'''CT scan'''
*[[CT]] may demonstrate areas of low density in occipital region and may show [[cerebral atrophy]].<ref name="EngelsenTzoulis2008">{{cite journal|last1=Engelsen|first1=B. A.|last2=Tzoulis|first2=C.|last3=Karlsen|first3=B.|last4=Lillebo|first4=A.|last5=Laegreid|first5=L. M.|last6=Aasly|first6=J.|last7=Zeviani|first7=M.|last8=Bindoff|first8=L. A.|title=POLG1 mutations cause a syndromic epilepsy with occipital lobe predilection|journal=Brain|volume=131|issue=3|year=2008|pages=818–828|issn=0006-8950|doi=10.1093/brain/awn007}}</ref>
 
'''MRI'''
*[[MRI]] demonstrates [[gray matter]] involvement in regions with the highest metabolic activity.<ref name="HikmatEichele2017">{{cite journal|last1=Hikmat|first1=Omar|last2=Eichele|first2=Tom|last3=Tzoulis|first3=Charalampos|last4=Bindoff|first4=Laurence|title=Understanding the Epilepsy in POLG Related Disease|journal=International Journal of Molecular Sciences|volume=18|issue=9|year=2017|pages=1845|issn=1422-0067|doi=10.3390/ijms18091845}}</ref>
*In most patients [[MRI]] demonstrated T2/FLAIR hyperintensities within the occipital region, [[basal ganglia]], deep [[cerebellar nuclei]], and [[thalamus]].<ref name="Tzoulis2006">{{cite journal|last1=Tzoulis|first1=C.|title=The spectrum of clinical disease caused by the A467T and W748S POLG mutations: a study of 26 cases|journal=Brain|volume=129|issue=7|year=2006|pages=1685–1692|issn=0006-8950|doi=10.1093/brain/awl097}}</ref>
 
'''Other Imaging Findings'''
*In areas of high diffusion signal, MR [[spectroscopy]] may show increased [[lactate]] signal intensity and decreased [[NAA]] signal intensity.<ref name="pmid12223390">{{cite journal| author=Flemming K, Ulmer S, Duisberg B, Hahn A, Jansen O| title=MR spectroscopic findings in a case of Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome. | journal=AJNR Am J Neuroradiol | year= 2002 | volume= 23 | issue= 8 | pages= 1421-3 | pmid=12223390 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12223390  }} </ref>
 
'''Other Diagnostic Studies'''
*Rhythmic high-amplitude delta with superimposed (poly)spikes(RHADS) on [[EEG]] are reported to be highly specific of Alpers disease.<ref name="van WestrhenenCats2018">{{cite journal|last1=van Westrhenen|first1=Anouk|last2=Cats|first2=Elisabeth A.|last3=van den Munckhof|first3=Bart|last4=van der Salm|first4=Sandra M.A.|last5=Teunissen|first5=Nico W.|last6=Ferrier|first6=Cyrille H.|last7=Leijten|first7=Frans S.S.|last8=Geleijns|first8=Karin P.W.|title=Specific EEG markers in POLG1 Alpers’ syndrome|journal=Clinical Neurophysiology|volume=129|issue=10|year=2018|pages=2127–2131|issn=13882457|doi=10.1016/j.clinph.2018.07.016}}</ref>
*Other [[EEG]] finding includes abnormal, often assymetrical flash [[visual evoked potential]] (VEP).


==Treatment==
==Treatment==
There is no cure for Alpers' disease and, currently, no way to slow its progression. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. [[Anticonvulsant]]s may be used to treat the seizures. However, caution should be used when selecting [[valproate]] as therapy since it may increase the risk of liver failure. Physical therapy may help to relieve spasticity and maintain or increase muscle tone.
'''Medical Therapy'''
*There is no treatment for Alpers disease and no way to slow its progression; the mainstay of therapy is supportive and [[palliative]] care, achieved by a multidisciplinary care team.
*[[Seizure]] management should be achieved by with drugs with newer generation drugs(lamotrigine, primidone, topiramate, oxcarbazepine) with low hepatic impact.  
*[[Valproic acid]] should be avoided for [[seizure]] management as it can worsen liver disease.<ref name="pmid23419467">{{cite journal| author=Saneto RP, Cohen BH, Copeland WC, Naviaux RK| title=Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome. | journal=Pediatr Neurol | year= 2013 | volume= 48 | issue= 3 | pages= 167-78 | pmid=23419467 | doi=10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.09.014 | pmc=3578656 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23419467  }} </ref>
*[[Physical therapy]] may help relieve [[spasticity]].
*Occupational/speech therapies may also help with neurological deficits.
*[[Tracheostomy]], gastric feeding tube, and/or [[artificial ventilation]] may be helpful once the disease progresses.<ref name="pmid18787099">{{cite journal| author=Giordano C, Sebastiani M, De Giorgio R, Travaglini C, Tancredi A, Valentino ML | display-authors=etal| title=Gastrointestinal dysmotility in mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy is caused by mitochondrial DNA depletion. | journal=Am J Pathol | year= 2008 | volume= 173 | issue= 4 | pages= 1120-8 | pmid=18787099 | doi=10.2353/ajpath.2008.080252 | pmc=2543079 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=18787099  }} </ref>


==Prognosis==
'''Surgery'''
The prognosis for individuals with Alpers' disease is poor. Those with the disease usually die within their first decade of life. Liver failure is usually the cause of death, although cardiorespiratory failure may also occur.
*[[Surgical]] intervention is not recommended for the management of Alpers disease.


==Eponym==
'''Primary Prevention'''
It is named for Bernard Jacob Alpers.<ref>{{WhoNamedIt|doctor|185|Bernard Jacob Alpers}}</ref><ref>{{WhoNamedIt|synd|1459|Alpers' disease}}</ref><ref>B. J. Alpers. Diffuse progressive degeneration of the grey matter of the cerebrum. Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry, Chicago, 1931, 25: 469-505.</ref>
*There are no established measures for the [[primary prevention]] of Alpers disease.


==Notes==
'''Secondary Prevention'''
{{reflist|2}}
*There are no established measures for the [[secondary prevention]] of Alpers disease.


==References==
==References==
[http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/alpersdisease/alpersdisease.htm "Alpers' Disease Information Page".] (Website). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, U.S. National Institutes of Health.
{{reflist|2}}
 
{{Diseases of the nervous system}}
{{Diseases of the nervous system}}


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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Zehra Malik, M.B.B.S[3]

Synonyms and keywords: Alpers-Huttenlocher Syndrome, Progressive Infantile Poliodystrophy, Mitochondrial Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) depletion syndrome-4A

Overview

Alpers' disease is an autosomal recessive genetic syndrome characterized by seizures, hepatopathy, and progressive cognitive impairment. It is caused by mutation in the POLG gene resulting in mitochondrial DNA depletion.

Historical Perspective

  • Alpers disease was first described by a North-American neurologist named, Bernard Jacob Alpers in 1931.[1]
  • In 1970, Peter Richard Huttenlocher a pediatric neurologist and neuroscientist described more phenotypic features associated with the disease. [2]
  • Alpers disease is also refered as Alpers–Huttenlocher syndrome.

Classification

  • There is no established system for the classification of Alpers disease.

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Alpers disease from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

  • The prevalence of Alpers disease is approximately 1 per 100,000 individuals worldwide.
  • Alpers disease affects men and women equally.
  • Higher carrier frequency is seen in the Northern European population.[5] Although, it is seen in other ethnic groups as well.

Risk Factors

  • There are no established risk factors for Alpers disease.

Screening

  • There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for Alpers disease.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

  • There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of Alpers disease. However, it usually manifests with a triad consist of refractory seizures, hepatopathy, and psychomotor regression.
  • The diagnosis is established by testing for the POLG gene.[4]

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

  • Common physical examination findings of Alpers disease include spasticity, ataxia, altered muscle tone.
  • Other physical findings include poor growth, developmental delay, failure to thrive, and/or vision changes.

Laboratory Findings

  • There are no diagnostic laboratory findings associated with Alpers disease.
  • However CSF lactate may be elevated in some cases due to respiratory chain disorder.[11]

Electrocardiogram

  • There are no ECG findings associated with Alpers disease. However, cardiomyopathy may be one of the possible complications of Alpers disease.[12]

X-ray

  • There are no x-ray findings associated with Alpers disease.

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

CT scan

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

  • In areas of high diffusion signal, MR spectroscopy may show increased lactate signal intensity and decreased NAA signal intensity.[16]

Other Diagnostic Studies

  • Rhythmic high-amplitude delta with superimposed (poly)spikes(RHADS) on EEG are reported to be highly specific of Alpers disease.[17]
  • Other EEG finding includes abnormal, often assymetrical flash visual evoked potential (VEP).

Treatment

Medical Therapy

  • There is no treatment for Alpers disease and no way to slow its progression; the mainstay of therapy is supportive and palliative care, achieved by a multidisciplinary care team.
  • Seizure management should be achieved by with drugs with newer generation drugs(lamotrigine, primidone, topiramate, oxcarbazepine) with low hepatic impact.
  • Valproic acid should be avoided for seizure management as it can worsen liver disease.[18]
  • Physical therapy may help relieve spasticity.
  • Occupational/speech therapies may also help with neurological deficits.
  • Tracheostomy, gastric feeding tube, and/or artificial ventilation may be helpful once the disease progresses.[19]

Surgery

  • Surgical intervention is not recommended for the management of Alpers disease.

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

References

  1. ↑ Alpers, Bernard J. (1931). "DIFFUSE PROGRESSIVE DEGENERATION OF THE GRAY MATTER OF THE CEREBRUM". Archives of Neurology And Psychiatry. 25 (3): 469. doi:10.1001/archneurpsyc.1931.02230030027002. ISSN 0096-6754.
  2. ↑ Huttenlocher, P. R.; Solitare, G. B.; Adams, G. (1976). "Infantile Diffuse Cerebral Degeneration With Hepatic Cirrhosis". Archives of Neurology. 33 (3): 186–192. doi:10.1001/archneur.1976.00500030042009. ISSN 0003-9942.
  3. ↑ Copeland WC (2012). "Defects in mitochondrial DNA replication and human disease". Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol. 47 (1): 64–74. doi:10.3109/10409238.2011.632763. PMC 3244805. PMID 22176657.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Saneto, Russell P.; Cohen, Bruce H.; Copeland, William C.; Naviaux, Robert K. (2013). "Alpers-Huttenlocher Syndrome". Pediatric Neurology. 48 (3): 167–178. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.09.014. ISSN 0887-8994.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Saneto RP, Cohen BH, Copeland WC, Naviaux RK (2013). "Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome". Pediatr Neurol. 48 (3): 167–78. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.09.014. PMC 3578656. PMID [1] 23419467]] Check |pmid= value (help).
  6. ↑ Qian Y, Ziehr JL, Johnson KA (2015). "Alpers disease mutations in human DNA polymerase gamma cause catalytic defects in mitochondrial DNA replication by distinct mechanisms". Front Genet. 6: 135. doi:10.3389/fgene.2015.00135. PMC 4391263. PMID 25914719.
  7. ↑ Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Stephens K; et al. (1993). "GeneReviews®". PMID 20301791.
  8. ↑ Wong LJ, Naviaux RK, Brunetti-Pierri N, Zhang Q, Schmitt ES, Truong C; et al. (2008). "Molecular and clinical genetics of mitochondrial diseases due to POLG mutations". Hum Mutat. 29 (9): E150–72. doi:10.1002/humu.20824. PMC 2891192. PMID 18546365.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Saneto RP (2016). "Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome: the role of a multidisciplinary health care team". J Multidiscip Healthc. 9: 323–33. doi:10.2147/JMDH.S84900. PMC 4968991. PMID 27555780.
  10. ↑ Hayhurst, Hannah; Anagnostou, Maria‐Eleni; Bogle, Helen J.; Grady, John P.; Taylor, Robert W.; Bindoff, Laurence A.; McFarland, Robert; Turnbull, Doug M.; Lax, Nichola Z. (2018). "Dissecting the neuronal vulnerability underpinning Alpers' syndrome: a clinical and neuropathological study". Brain Pathology. 29 (1): 97–113. doi:10.1111/bpa.12640. ISSN 1015-6305.
  11. ↑ Wolf, Nicole I.; Rahman, Shamima; Schmitt, Bernhard; Taanman, Jan-Willem; Duncan, Andrew J.; Harting, Inga; Wohlrab, Gabriele; Ebinger, Friedrich; Rating, Dietz; Bast, Thomas (2009). "Status epilepticus in children with Alpers' disease caused byPOLG1mutations: EEG and MRI features". Epilepsia. 50 (6): 1596–1607. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01877.x. ISSN 0013-9580.
  12. ↑ Holmgren, D (2003). "Cardiomyopathy in children with mitochondrial disease Clinical course and cardiological findings". European Heart Journal. 24 (3): 280–288. doi:10.1016/S0195-668X(02)00387-1. ISSN 0195-668X.
  13. ↑ Engelsen, B. A.; Tzoulis, C.; Karlsen, B.; Lillebo, A.; Laegreid, L. M.; Aasly, J.; Zeviani, M.; Bindoff, L. A. (2008). "POLG1 mutations cause a syndromic epilepsy with occipital lobe predilection". Brain. 131 (3): 818–828. doi:10.1093/brain/awn007. ISSN 0006-8950.
  14. ↑ Hikmat, Omar; Eichele, Tom; Tzoulis, Charalampos; Bindoff, Laurence (2017). "Understanding the Epilepsy in POLG Related Disease". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 18 (9): 1845. doi:10.3390/ijms18091845. ISSN 1422-0067.
  15. ↑ Tzoulis, C. (2006). "The spectrum of clinical disease caused by the A467T and W748S POLG mutations: a study of 26 cases". Brain. 129 (7): 1685–1692. doi:10.1093/brain/awl097. ISSN 0006-8950.
  16. ↑ Flemming K, Ulmer S, Duisberg B, Hahn A, Jansen O (2002). "MR spectroscopic findings in a case of Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome". AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 23 (8): 1421–3. PMID 12223390.
  17. ↑ van Westrhenen, Anouk; Cats, Elisabeth A.; van den Munckhof, Bart; van der Salm, Sandra M.A.; Teunissen, Nico W.; Ferrier, Cyrille H.; Leijten, Frans S.S.; Geleijns, Karin P.W. (2018). "Specific EEG markers in POLG1 Alpers' syndrome". Clinical Neurophysiology. 129 (10): 2127–2131. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2018.07.016. ISSN 1388-2457.
  18. ↑ Saneto RP, Cohen BH, Copeland WC, Naviaux RK (2013). "Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome". Pediatr Neurol. 48 (3): 167–78. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.09.014. PMC 3578656. PMID 23419467.
  19. ↑ Giordano C, Sebastiani M, De Giorgio R, Travaglini C, Tancredi A, Valentino ML; et al. (2008). "Gastrointestinal dysmotility in mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy is caused by mitochondrial DNA depletion". Am J Pathol. 173 (4): 1120–8. doi:10.2353/ajpath.2008.080252. PMC 2543079. PMID 18787099.

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