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Creatine Deficiency Disorders

Synonym: Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Disorders

, MD, PhD, FCCMG, FRCPC and , PhD.

Author Information and Affiliations

Initial Posting: ; Last Update: February 10, 2022.

Estimated reading time: 35 minutes

Summary

Clinical characteristics.

The creatine deficiency disorders (CDDs), inborn errors of creatine metabolism and transport, comprise three disorders: the creatine biosynthesis disorders guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency and L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) deficiency; and creatine transporter (CRTR) deficiency. Developmental delay and cognitive dysfunction or intellectual disability and speech-language disorder are common to all three CDDs.

  • Onset of clinical manifestations of GAMT deficiency (reported in ~130 individuals) is between ages three months and two years; in addition to developmental delays, the majority of individuals have epilepsy and develop a behavior disorder (e.g., hyperactivity, autism, or self-injurious behavior), and about 30% have movement disorder.
  • AGAT deficiency has been reported in 16 individuals; none have had epilepsy or movement disorders.
  • Clinical findings of CRTR deficiency in affected males (reported in ~130 individuals) in addition to developmental delays include epilepsy (variable seizure types and may be intractable) and behavior disorders (e.g., attention deficit and/or hyperactivity, autistic features, impulsivity, social anxiety), hypotonia, and (less commonly) a movement disorder. Poor weight gain with constipation and prolonged QTc on EKG have been reported. While mild-to-moderate intellectual disability is commonly observed up to age four years, the majority of adult males with CRTR deficiency have been reported to have severe intellectual disability. Females heterozygous for CRTR deficiency are typically either asymptomatic or have mild intellectual disability, although a more severe phenotype resembling the male phenotype has been reported.

Diagnosis/testing.

The diagnosis of a CDD is established in a proband with suggestive findings and biallelic pathogenic variants in GAMT or GATM or a hemizygous or heterozygous pathogenic variant in SLC6A8 identified by molecular genetic testing.

Management.

Treatment of manifestations: GAMT deficiency and AGAT deficiency are treated with oral creatine monohydrate to replenish cerebral creatine levels. Treatment of GAMT deficiency requires supplementation of ornithine and dietary restriction of arginine or protein. CRTR deficiency is treated with oral creatine monohydrate and arginine and glycine supplementation. The developmental delay, intellectual disability, and behavior problems are managed with an individualized education and therapy program; epilepsy and movement disorder are treated by the appropriate specialist in a standard manner.

Surveillance: In those treated with creatine monohydrate, periodic determination of cerebral creatine level by in vivo 1H-MRS and annual measurement of renal function to detect possible creatine-associated nephropathy is warranted. Developmental and neurologic assessments are recommended at each clinic visit.

Evaluation of relatives at risk: Early diagnosis of neonates at risk for a CDD by biochemical or molecular genetic testing allows for early diagnosis and treatment.

Genetic counseling.

GAMT deficiency (caused by pathogenic variants in GAMT) and AGAT deficiency (caused by pathogenic variants in GATM) are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. CRTR deficiency (caused by pathogenic variants in SLC6A8) is inherited in an X-linked manner.

  • Autosomal recessive inheritance. If both parents are known to be heterozygous for a GAMT or GATM pathogenic variant, each sib of an affected individual has at conception a 25% chance of being affected, a 50% chance of being an asymptomatic carrier, and a 25% chance of being unaffected and not a carrier. Once the GAMT or GATM pathogenic variants have been identified in an affected family member, molecular genetic carrier testing and prenatal and preimplantation genetic testing are possible.
  • X-linked inheritance. Mothers who are heterozygous for an SLC6A8 pathogenic variant have a 50% chance of transmitting the pathogenic variant in each pregnancy; sons who inherit the pathogenic variant will be affected; daughters who inherit the pathogenic variant will be heterozygotes and may develop clinical findings related to the disorder. Once the SLC6A8 pathogenic variant has been identified in an affected family member, molecular genetic testing to identify female heterozygotes and prenatal and preimplantation genetic testing are possible.

GeneReview Scope


Creatine Deficiency Disorders: Included Phenotypes
  • Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency
  • L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) deficiency
  • Creatine transporter (CRTR) deficiency

Diagnosis

The creatine deficiency disorders (CDDs) are inborn errors of creatine metabolism and transport that comprise:

  • Two creatine biosynthesis defects (both inherited in an autosomal recessive manner):
    • Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency
    • L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) deficiency
  • One creatine transporter defect (inherited in an X-linked manner): creatine transporter (CRTR) deficiency

Suggestive Findings

A CDD should be suspected in probands with the following clinical, biochemical, and imaging findings and family history.

Clinical findings

  • Developmental delay
  • Cognitive dysfunction or intellectual disability
  • Hypotonia
  • Seizures or refractory epilepsy
  • Movement disorders (e.g., chorea-athetosis, dystonia)
  • Behavior problems (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, aggressive behavior)

Biochemical findings [van de Kamp et al 2014, Mørkrid et al 2015]

  • GAMT deficiency. Elevated guanidinoacetate (GAA) levels in urine, plasma, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and low or low-normal creatine and creatinine levels in urine, plasma, or CSF
  • AGAT deficiency. Low GAA levels in urine, plasma, or CSF and low or low-normal creatine and creatinine levels in urine, plasma, or CSF
  • CRTR deficiency. Elevated creatine-to-creatinine ratio in urine in males. Females can have normal or mildly elevated creatine-to-creatinine ratio in urine.

Imaging findings

  • Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) reveals absent or significantly decreased creatine peak in the brain in all individuals with GAMT deficiency and AGAT deficiency and in males with CRTR deficiency [van de Kamp et al 2014].
  • 1H-MRS reveals partial depletion or normal levels of creatine peak in the brain in heterozygous females with X-linked CRTR deficiency [van de Kamp et al 2011].

Family history

  • GAMT and AGAT deficiencies. Consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance (e.g., affected sibs and/or parental consanguinity). Absence of a known family history does not preclude the diagnosis.
  • CRTR deficiency. Consistent with X-linked inheritance (e.g., no male-to-male transmission, affected maternal uncle or male sibs, normal to mildly affected female sibs or mother). Absence of a known family history does not preclude the diagnosis.

Establishing the Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a CDD is established in a proband with suggestive clinical findings by identification of biallelic pathogenic (or likely pathogenic) variants in GAMT or GATM or of a hemizygous or heterozygous pathogenic (or likely pathogenic) variant in SLC6A8 on molecular genetic testing.

Note: (1) Per ACMG/AMP variant interpretation guidelines, the terms "pathogenic variants" and "likely pathogenic variants" are synonymous in a clinical setting, meaning that both are considered diagnostic and both can be used for clinical decision making [Richards et al 2015]. Reference to "pathogenic variants" in this section is understood to include any likely pathogenic variants. (2) Identification of biallelic GAMT or GATM variants of uncertain significance (or of one known pathogenic variant and one variant of uncertain significance) does not establish or rule out the diagnosis of GAMT or AGAT deficiency. In these individuals, typical brain 1H-MRS and abnormal urine, plasma, or CSF GAA and creatine levels and GAMT and AGAT activity measurements in fibroblasts or in lymphocytes will be required to confirm biochemical diagnosis of GAMT or AGAT deficiency. (3) Identification of a hemizygous or heterozygous SLC6A8 variant of uncertain significance does not establish or rule out a diagnosis of CTR deficiency. In these individuals, abnormal brain 1H-MRS and abnormal levels of urine creatine-to-creatinine ratio in males will be required to confirm biochemical diagnosis. Creatine uptake in the individual's cultured skin fibroblasts will be required to confirm biochemical diagnosis of CRTR deficiency in males.

A diagnostic testing algorithm is useful for guiding molecular genetic testing in an individual suspected of having suggestive clinical, biochemical, and/or imaging findings and/or reduced creatine levels on brain 1H-MRS (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. . Algorithm for diagnosis of the creatine deficiency disorders.

Figure 1.

Algorithm for diagnosis of the creatine deficiency disorders. Note: Urinary creatine-to-creatinine ratio and creatine uptake studies in cultured skin fibroblasts are often not informative in females with SLC6A8 deficiency; hence, molecular genetic testing (more...)

Molecular genetic testing approaches can include a combination of gene-targeted testing (single-gene testing, multigene panel for epilepsy, intellectual disability, or autism spectrum disorder) and comprehensive genomic testing (exome sequencing, genome sequencing) depending on the phenotype.

Gene-targeted testing requires that the clinician determine which gene(s) are likely involved based on the biochemical and imaging findings, whereas genomic testing does not. Individuals with the distinctive biochemical or imaging findings described in Suggestive Findings are likely to be diagnosed using gene-targeted testing (see Option 1), whereas those with a phenotype indistinguishable from many other inherited disorders with intellectual disability and/or epilepsy are more likely to be diagnosed using genomic testing (see Option 2).

Option 1

Single-gene testing. Sequence analysis of the gene predicted from the diagnostic testing algorithm is performed first to detect small intragenic deletions/insertions and missense, nonsense, and splice site variants. Note: Depending on the sequencing method used, single-exon, multiexon, or whole-gene deletions/duplications may not be detected. If only one (for GAMT or GATM) or no variant (for any of the 3 genes) is detected by the sequencing method used, the next step is to perform gene-targeted deletion/duplication analysis to detect exon and whole-gene deletions or duplications.

A multigene panel for epilepsy, intellectual disability, or autism spectrum disorder that includes GAMT, GATM, SLC6A8, and other genes of interest (see Differential Diagnosis) is most likely to identify the genetic cause of the condition while limiting identification of variants of uncertain significance and pathogenic variants in genes that do not explain the underlying phenotype. Note: (1) The genes included in the panel and the diagnostic sensitivity of the testing used for each gene vary by laboratory and are likely to change over time. (2) Some multigene panels may include genes not associated with the condition discussed in this GeneReview. (3) In some laboratories, panel options may include a custom laboratory-designed panel and/or custom phenotype-focused exome analysis that includes genes specified by the clinician. (4) Methods used in a panel may include sequence analysis, deletion/duplication analysis, and/or other non-sequencing-based tests.

For an introduction to multigene panels click here. More detailed information for clinicians ordering genetic tests can be found here.

Option 2

Comprehensive genomic testing does not require the clinician to determine which gene is likely involved. Exome sequencing is most commonly used; genome sequencing is also possible.

For an introduction to comprehensive genomic testing click here. More detailed information for clinicians ordering genomic testing can be found here.

Table 1.

Molecular Genetic Testing Used in Creatine Deficiency Disorder

Gene 1, 2Proportion of CDD Attributed to Pathogenic Variants in Gene 3Proportion of Pathogenic Variants 3, 4 Detectable by Method
Sequence analysis 5Gene-targeted deletion/duplication analysis 6
GAMT 33% (20%)~100%Unknown 7
GATM 3% (8%)~100% (94%)Unknown (6%)
SLC6A8 64% (72%)~95% (100%)~5% (0%)
1.

Genes are listed in alphabetic order.

2.

See Table A. Genes and Databases for chromosome locus and protein.

3.

Percentages are based on number of families in authors' own databases / LOVD (SLC6A8, GATM, GAMT); percentages in ( )s are based on the subscription-based professional view of Human Gene Mutation Database [Stenson et al 2020], if different.

4.

See Molecular Genetics for information on variants detected in these genes.

5.

Sequence analysis detects variants that are benign, likely benign, of uncertain significance, likely pathogenic, or pathogenic. Variants may include small intragenic deletions/insertions and missense, nonsense, and splice site variants; typically, exon or whole-gene deletions/duplications are not detected. For issues to consider in interpretation of sequence analysis results, click here.

6.

Gene-targeted deletion/duplication analysis detects intragenic deletions or duplications. Methods used may include a range of techniques such as quantitative PCR, long-range PCR, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and a gene-targeted microarray designed to detect single-exon deletions or duplications.

7.

No data on detection rate of gene-targeted deletion/duplication analysis are available.

Clinical Characteristics

Clinical Description

Developmental delay, cognitive dysfunction, and intellectual disability are common to all three creatine deficiency disorders (CDDs). See Table 2 for comparison of the three deficiencies; further details follow the table.

Table 2.

Creatine Deficiency Disorders: Comparison of Phenotypes by Select Features

FeatureGAMT Deficiency 1AGAT Deficiency 2CRTR Deficiency 3
DD & cognitive dysfunction 4 ●●●●●●●●●
Speech-language disorder ●●●●●●
Seizure ●●●●
Epilepsy ●●NR●●
Behavior problems ●●●●
Muscle weakness /
Myopathy
NR●●NR
Hypotonia ●●
Movement disorder NR

●●● = all; ●● = common; ● = infrequent; AGAT = L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase; CRTR = creatine transporter; DD = developmental delay; GAMT = guanidinoacetate methyltransferase; NR = not reported

1.
2.
3.
4.

Note that individuals diagnosed and treated from the newborn period or infancy with good treatment compliance may have normal developmental milestones, cognitive functions, and IQ.

GAMT Deficiency

To date, about 130 individuals have been identified with biallelic pathogenic variants in GAMT [Stockler-Ipsiroglu et al 2014, Khaikin et al 2018]. The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on these reports.

Onset of the first clinical manifestations ranges from early infancy (age 3-6 months) to age two years [Khaikin et al 2018]. The age of diagnosis ranges from neonatal to 34 years [Stockler-Ipsiroglu et al 2014, Khaikin et al 2018].

Developmental delay (DD) and cognitive dysfunction or intellectual disability (ID), the most consistent clinical manifestation, is present in all affected individuals. The severity ranges from mild to severe. About 50%-75% of individuals with GAMT deficiency have severe DD or ID [Mercimek-Mahmutoglu et al 2014, Stockler-Ipsiroglu et al 2014, Khaikin et al 2018].

Speech-language disorder. Variable expressive language defects were reported in two sibs with GAMT deficiency: the proband spoke fewer than ten words, whereas her younger sister spoke in short sentences at age 13 years [O'Rourke et al 2009].

A behavior disorder (e.g., hyperactivity, autism, or self-injurious behavior) is reported in more than 75% of affected individuals [Mercimek-Mahmutoglu et al 2014, Khaikin et al 2018].

Seizures, the third most consistent manifestation in GAMT deficiency, are observed in more than 70% of affected individuals. Seizure types include myoclonic, generalized tonic-clonic, partial complex, head nodding, and atonic seizures. Seizure severity ranges from occasional seizures to seizures that are non-responsive to various anti-seizure medications [Mercimek-Mahmutoglu et al 2014, Stockler-Ipsiroglu et al 2014, Khaikin et al 2018].

Movement disorders, observed in about 30% of individuals, are mainly chorea, athetosis, dystonia, or ataxia [Mercimek-Mahmutoglu et al 2014, Stockler-Ipsiroglu et al 2014, Khaikin et al 2018]. Pathologic signal intensities in the basal ganglia in brain MRI are observed in individuals with or without a movement disorder [Mercimek-Mahmutoglu et al 2014, Stockler-Ipsiroglu et al 2014, Khaikin et al 2018]. The onset is usually before age 12 years; however, a young woman with GAMT deficiency was reported to have onset of a movement disorder (including ballistic and dystonic movements) at age 17 years [O'Rourke et al 2009].

AGAT Deficiency

To date, 16 individuals have been identified with biallelic pathogenic variants in GATM [Stockler-Ipsiroglu et al 2015]. The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on these reports.

DD and cognitive dysfunction or ID, the most consistent clinical manifestation, is present in all affected individuals. The severity of intellectual disability ranges from mild to severe, although more than 80% of the individuals have mild-to-moderate intellectual disability.

A single seizure, observed in about 10% of affected individuals, was reported to occur with or without fever.

Movement disorders were not reported in any affected individuals.

A behavior disorder was present in 25% of affected individuals.

Muscle weakness / myopathy was observed in 50% of affected individuals.

CRTR Deficiency ‒ Affected Males

To date, about 130 individuals have been identified with a pathogenic variant in SLC6A8 [van de Kamp et al 2013a, Bruun et al 2018, Bahl et al 2020]. The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on these reports.

Onset of the first clinical manifestations ranges from four to 54 months [Bruun et al 2018]. The age at diagnosis ranges from one to 66 years, indicating that life expectancy can be normal. Now that the disorder is reasonably well described and diagnostic testing is more widely available, it is anticipated that diagnosis will mainly occur within the first three years of life.

DD and cognitive dysfunction or ID was present in all affected male individuals ranging from mild to severe: 85% of affected males had mild-to-moderate ID up to age four years; 75% of affected males older than age 18 years had severe ID [van de Kamp et al 2013a]. One adult had progressive cognitive dysfunction [Kleefstra et al 2005].

Speech-language disorder. Speech development was delayed in all affected males. First words were at a mean age of 3.1 years (age range: 9 months to 10 years). In affected males older than age ten years, 14% had no speech development, 55% were able to speak single words, and 31% were able to speak in sentences [van de Kamp et al 2013a].

A neuropsychological profile in four affected boys from two unrelated families from the Netherlands revealed a semantic-pragmatic language disorder (difficulty in understanding the meaning of words) with oral dyspraxia [Mancini et al 2005].

Seizures were present in 59% of affected male individuals. The most common seizure types were generalized tonic-clonic and simple or complex partial seizures with or without secondary generalization. Absence and myoclonic seizures were rare. Seizure onset was between ages one and 21 years [van de Kamp et al 2013b]. Intractable epilepsy has been reported in fewer than ten individuals [Mercimek-Mahmutoglu et al 2010, van de Kamp et al 2013a].

Movement disorder. Wide-based gait or ataxia and dystonia or athetosis were reported in 29% and 11% of affected males, respectively [van de Kamp et al 2013a].

Behavior disorder. Behavior disorder was reported in 85% of affected males. The most common behavior disorders were attention deficit and/or hyperactivity (55%) and autistic features (41%). Other behavior disorders reported in affected males include social anxiety or shyness (20%), stereotypic behavior (20%), impulsive behavior (27%), aggressive behavior (19%), self-injurious behavior (10%), and obsessive-compulsive behavior (8%) [van de Kamp et al 2013a].

Other neurologic clinical features. Hypotonia was present in 40% of affected males. Spasticity was reported in 26% of affected males. Four individuals had mild (sensorineural) hearing loss. Nine affected males were reported with strabismus or bilateral abducens nerve palsy. Myopathic face, ptosis, joint laxity (likely secondary to the hypotonia), and decreased muscle bulk were also reported [van de Kamp et al 2013a].

Other non-neurologic clinical features

  • Dysmorphic features including microcephaly, broad forehead, midface retrusion, high palate, short nose, prominent nasal bridge, ear differences (underfolded helices, large ears, and/or cupped ears), deeply set eyes, fifth finger clinodactyly, and slender body build were reported in 45% of affected males [van de Kamp et al 2013a, van de Kamp et al 2013b].
  • Gastrointestinal findings, including poor weight gain, vomiting, constipation, ileus (likely secondary to constipation), hepatitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and hiatal hernia (which may or may not be related to CRTR deficiency) were reported in 35% of affected males [van de Kamp et al 2013a].
  • Cardiac features. One affected male had long QT disorder [van de Kamp et al 2013a]. Seven males with CRTR deficiency (39%) had prolonged QTc on EKG. These individuals also showed increased left ventricular internal dimension (diastole) and diminished left ventricular posterior wall dimension (diastole) in echocardiography [Levin et al 2021].
  • Medical concerns in adulthood. Twenty-one of 101 affected males were adults (age >18 years). They presented with myopathic face, ptosis, external ophthalmoplegia, or parkinsonism. Chronic constipation leading to megacolon, ileus, or bowel perforation and/or gastric or duodenal ulcer disease have been reported in some adults [van de Kamp et al 2013a].

CRTR Deficiency ‒ Heterozygous Females

Females heterozygous for their family-specific SLC6A8 pathogenic variant are typically either asymptomatic or have mild ID [van de Kamp et al 2011]. There was no clinical correlation between skewed X-chromosome inactivation in favor of the pathogenic variant allele and severity of clinical phenotype. There was no significant statistical correlation between intellectual ability and cerebral creatine level on brain 1H-MRS [van de Kamp et al 2011]. A female with mild ID, intractable epilepsy, and behavior problems (a phenotype similar to affected males) did not have evidence of skewed X-chromosome inactivation in peripheral blood cells; tissue-specific skewed X-chromosome inactivation in the brain could explain her severe neurologic findings [Mercimek-Mahmutoglu et al 2010].

Genotype-Phenotype Correlations

No genotype-phenotype correlations for any of the CDDs have been identified.

Prevalence

GAMT deficiency. About 130 individuals with GAMT deficiency have been diagnosed worldwide.

The estimated incidence of GAMT deficiency in the general population ranges from 1:2,640,000 to 1:250,000 [Desroches et al 2015, Mercimek-Mahmutoglu et al 2016]. This is in agreement with information from pilot newborn screening programs for GAMT deficiency, which screened more than 1,500,000 newborns; to date two of the newborns have a confirmed diagnosis of GAMT deficiency [Mercimek-Mahmutoglu et al 2012, Pasquali et al 2014, Pitt et al 2014, Stockler-Ipsiroglu et al 2014, Sinclair et al 2016, Hart et al 2021].

The estimated incidence of GAMT deficiency in the Utah and New York newborn population was 1:405,655 [Hart et al 2021].

Smaller studies of individuals with neurologic disease or severe intellectual disability found GAMT deficiency present in 1.1% [Cheillan et al 2012].

AGAT deficiency. The estimated carrier frequency of AGAT deficiency was one in 1,292 (0.077%; CI=0.06%-0.10%) in the general population using the ExAC Browser Beta database [DesRoches et al 2016].

CRTR deficiency. CRTR deficiency has been studied in many cohorts ranging from 49 to 4,426 individuals with familial or nonfamilial ID. These studies were summarized by van de Kamp et al [2014]; the prevalence in males with ID was estimated between 0.4% and 1.4%. In a recent study, the prevalence of creatine transporter deficiency was 2.64% in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders [Bahl et al 2020].

Differential Diagnosis

Disorders summarized in Table 3 should be considered in individuals with partial creatine deficiency in the brain detected by 1H-MRS, who have normal concentrations of guanidinoacetate (GAA) in the urine, plasma, and CSF and a normal creatine-to-creatinine ratio in urine.

Table 3.

Disorders of Interest in the Differential Diagnosis of Creatine Deficiency Disorders

GeneDisorderMOIBiochemical FeaturesClinical Features
ALDH18A1 P5CS deficiency 1AR
AD
Secondary (cerebral) creatine deficiencyDysmorphic features, DD, spasticity, myopathy, slow growth
ASL Argininosuccinate lyase deficiency ARSecondary (cerebral) creatine deficiency 2; ↑ plasma creatine level 3DD, seizures, ataxia, trichorrhexis nodosa, hyperammonemic encephalopathy, slow growth, hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis
ASS1 Argininosuccinate synthetase deficiency (citrullinemia type I)ARSecondary (cerebral) creatine deficiency 2; significantly ↓ plasma creatine concentration 3DD, seizures, ataxia, hyperammonemic encephalopathy, slow growth, hepatic cirrhosis
OAT Ornithine aminotransferase deficiency (gyrate atrophy of choroid & retina) (OMIM 258870)ARSecondary (cerebral) creatine deficiency 4Progressive chorioretinal degeneration & loss of peripheral vision, myopia, night blindness, posterior subcapsular cataracts, proximal muscle weakness
OTC Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency XLSignificantly ↓ plasma creatine 3DD, seizures, ataxia, hyperammonemic encephalopathy, slow growth
PC Pyruvate carboxylase deficiency AR↓ creatine in brain 1H-MRS 5DD, seizures, spasticity, hypotonia, hepatomegaly, lactic acidosis
SLC25A15 Hyperammonemia, hyperornithinemia, homocitrullinuria syndrome ARSignificantly ↓ plasma creatine concentration 3DD, seizures, spasticity, hypotonia, slow growth, hepatomegaly
SLC7A7 Lysinuric protein intolerance AR↑ plasma creatine level 3Short stature, vomiting, slow growth, respiratory insufficiency, hepatomegaly, diarrhea, osteoporosis

1H-MRS = proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy; AD = autosomal dominant; AR = autosomal recessive; DD = developmental delay; MOI = mode of inheritance; P5CS = delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase; XL = X-linked

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Management

No clinical practice guidelines for creatine deficiency disorders (CDDs) have been published. Some of the references list management recommendations for GAMT and CRTR deficiencies [Stockler-Ipsiroglu et al 2014, Bruun et al 2018, Khaikin et al 2018].

Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis

To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with a CDD, the evaluations summarized in Table 4 (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.

Table 4.

Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis in Individuals with Creatine Deficiency Disorders

System/ConcernEvaluationComment
Neurologic Neurologic eval
  • Brain 1H-MRS to document creatine deficiency if not done as part of diagnosis
  • EEG if any clinical seizures or suspicion of seizures
Development Developmental/neuropsychologic assessment
  • Incl motor, adaptive, cognitive, & speech/language eval
  • Eval for early intervention / special education
  • Eval of cognitive functions w/objective tests to measure IQ
Movement
disorder 1
  • Orthopedics / physical medicine & rehab / PT/OT eval
  • Video documentation of mvmt disorder
Incl assessment of:
  • Gross motor & fine motor skills
  • Mobility, ADL, & need for adaptive devices
  • Need for PT (to improve gross motor skills) &/or OT (to improve fine motor skills)
Behavioral Neurobehavioral evalFor persons age >12 mos screening for:
  • Behavior concerns
  • Sleep disturbances
  • ADHD
  • Anxiety
  • Traits suggestive of ASD
Potential for
treatment-assoc
nephropathy
Baseline kidney function studies
  • Blood urea
  • Blood creatinine
  • Urinalysis
  • If any abnormal kidney function, measure GFR or eGFR.
Cardiac
concerns 2
  • EKG
  • Echocardiography
Eval by pediatric cardiologist if any abnormalities in EKG &/or echocardiogram
Poor growth Assessment by nutritionist for feeding & growthConsider assessment if any aspiration.
Genetic
counseling
By genetics professionals 3To inform affected persons & families re nature, MOI, & implications of specific CDD to facilitate medical & personal decision making
Family support
& resources
Assess need for: Social work support as needed

ADHD = attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; ADL = activities of daily living; ASD = autism spectrum disorder; CDD = creatine deficiency disorder; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; GFR = glomerular filtration rate; MOI = mode of inheritance; OT = occupational therapy; PT = physical therapy

1.

Not typically present in those with GATM deficiency

2.

A concern for those with CRTR deficiency

3.

Medical geneticist, certified genetic counselor, certified advanced genetic nurse

Treatment of Manifestations

The general treatment of CDDs of any cause is presented in Table 5.

Medical treatment specific to the type of CDD follows in Table 6 (GAMT deficiency), Table 7 (AGAT deficiency), and Table 8 (CRTR deficiency).

Table 5.

Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with Creatine Deficiency Disorders

Manifestation/ConcernTreatmentConsiderations/Other
DD/ID & behavior problems See Developmental Delay / Intellectual Disability Management Issues.
Epilepsy Standardized treatment w/ASM by experienced neurologist
  • Many ASMs may be effective; none has been demonstrated effective specifically for this disorder.
  • Education of parents/caregivers 1
Movement disorder Treatment by movement disorder specialist
  • Medications to treat mvmt disorder
  • Deep brain stimulation if no response to medical mgmt

ASM = anti-seizure medication; DD = developemental delay; ID = intellectual disability

Developmental Delay / Intellectual Disability Management Issues

The following information represents typical management recommendations for individuals with developmental delay / intellectual disability in the United States; standard recommendations may vary from country to country.

Ages 0-3 years. Referral to an early intervention program is recommended for access to occupational, physical, speech, and feeding therapy as well as infant mental health services, special educators, and sensory impairment specialists. In the US, early intervention is a federally funded program available in all states that provides in-home services to target individual therapy needs.

Ages 3-5 years. In the US, developmental preschool through the local public school district is recommended. Before placement, an evaluation is made to determine needed services and therapies and an individualized education plan (IEP) is developed for those who qualify based on established motor, language, social, or cognitive delay. The early intervention program typically assists with this transition. Developmental preschool is center based; for children too medically unstable to attend, home-based services are provided.

All ages. Consultation with a developmental pediatrician is recommended to ensure the involvement of appropriate community, state, and educational agencies (US) and to support parents in maximizing quality of life. Some issues to consider:

  • IEP services:
    • An IEP provides specially designed instruction and related services to children who qualify.
    • IEP services will be reviewed annually to determine whether any changes are needed.
    • Special education law requires that children participating in an IEP be in the least restrictive environment feasible at school and included in general education as much as possible, when and where appropriate.
    • PT, OT, and speech services will be provided in the IEP to the extent that the need affects the child's access to academic material. Beyond that, private supportive therapies based on the affected individual's needs may be considered. Specific recommendations regarding type of therapy can be made by a developmental pediatrician.
    • As a child enters the teen years, a transition plan should be discussed and incorporated in the IEP. For those receiving IEP services, the public school district is required to provide services until age 21.
  • A 504 plan (Section 504: a US federal statute that prohibits discrimination based on disability) can be considered for those who require accommodations or modifications such as front-of-class seating, assistive technology devices, classroom scribes, extra time between classes, modified assignments, and enlarged text.
  • Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) enrollment is recommended. DDA is a US public agency that provides services and support to qualified individuals. Eligibility differs by state but is typically determined by diagnosis and/or associated cognitive/adaptive disabilities.
  • Families with limited income and resources may also qualify for supplemental security income (SSI) for their child with a disability.

Motor Dysfunction

Gross motor dysfunction

  • Physical therapy is recommended to maximize mobility and to reduce the risk for later-onset orthopedic complications (e.g., contractures, scoliosis, hip dislocation).
  • Consider use of durable medical equipment and positioning devices as needed (e.g., wheelchairs, walkers, bath chairs, orthotics, adaptive strollers).
  • For muscle tone abnormalities including hypertonia or dystonia, consider involving appropriate specialists to aid in management of baclofen, tizanidine, Botox®, anti-parkinsonian medications, or orthopedic procedures.

Fine motor dysfunction. Occupational therapy is recommended for difficulty with fine motor skills that affect adaptive function such as feeding, grooming, dressing, and writing.

Oral motor dysfunction should be assessed at each visit and clinical feeding evaluations and/or radiographic swallowing studies should be obtained for choking/gagging during feeds, poor weight gain, frequent respiratory illnesses, or feeding refusal that is not otherwise explained. Assuming that the child is safe to eat by mouth, feeding therapy (typically from an occupational or speech therapist) is recommended to help improve coordination or sensory-related feeding issues. Feeds can be thickened or chilled for safety. When feeding dysfunction is severe, an NG-tube or G-tube may be necessary.

Communication issues. Consider evaluation for alternative means of communication (e.g., augmentative and alternative communication [AAC]) for individuals who have expressive language difficulties. An AAC evaluation can be completed by a speech-language pathologist who has expertise in the area. The evaluation will consider cognitive abilities and sensory impairments to determine the most appropriate form of communication. AAC devices can range from low-tech, such as picture exchange communication, to high-tech, such as voice-generating devices. Contrary to popular belief, AAC devices do not hinder verbal development of speech, but rather support optimal speech and language development.

Social/Behavioral Concerns

Children may qualify for and benefit from interventions used in treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABA therapy is targeted to the individual child's behavioral, social, and adaptive strengths and weaknesses and typically performed one on one with a board-certified behavior analyst.

Consultation with a developmental pediatrician may be helpful in guiding parents through appropriate behavior management strategies or providing prescription medications, such as medication used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, when necessary.

Concerns about serious aggressive or destructive behavior can be addressed by a pediatric psychiatrist.

Table 6.

Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with GAMT Deficiency

Manifestation/ConcernTreatmentConsiderations/Other
Low cerebral creatine levels
  • Supplementation w/creatine monohydrate
  • Oral doses of 400-800 mg/kg bw/day in 3-6 divided doses
For symptomatic persons w/GAMT deficiency: 1
  • Only 1 person achieved normal development or cognitive functions on treatment; all showed some improvement.
  • Seizure freedom achieved in ~50%
  • Mvmt disorder resolved in 50%
For asymptomatic persons w/GAMT deficiency:
  • Normal neurodevelopmental outcome reported in 3 persons w/GAMT deficiency who were diagnosed & treated in neonatal period based on positive family history of disorder in older sib 2
Accumulation of neurotoxic levels of GAA
  • Supplementation w/ornithine
  • Oral doses of 400-800 mg/kg bw/day in 3-6 divided doses
  • Dietary restriction of arginine to 15-25 mg/kg/day that corresponds to 0.4-0.7 g/kg/day protein intake 3
  • To prevent protein malnutrition, essential amino acid medical formula should be supplemented (0.5-0.8 g/kg/day). 4

bw = body weight; GAA = guanidinoacetate

1.
2.
3.

Because of the challenges involved in understanding arginine restriction, reading dietary labels, and calculating arginine intake (particularly since arginine content is not always indicated), many centers use protein restriction instead.

4.

Available databases (e.g., the US Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database) can be used to determine exact arginine content of foods to allow precise calculation of daily arginine intake in individuals with GAMT deficiency.

Table 7.

Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with AGAT Deficiency

Manifestation/
Concern
TreatmentConsiderations/Other
Low cerebral
creatine
levels
  • Supplementation w/creatine monohydrate
  • Oral doses of 400-800 mg/kg bw/day in 3-6 divided doses
For symptomatic persons w/AGAT deficiency:
  • Muscle weakness was improved in all persons. 1
  • No improvement in cognitive function or ID if initiation of treatment was > age 10 yrs 1
  • Normal cognitive function reported when treatment was initiated < age 2 yrs in 2 persons. 2
For asymptomatic persons w/AGAT deficiency:
  • Normal neurodevelopment at age 18 mos when treatment started at age 4 mos in asymptomatic sib. 3

Table 8.

Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with CRTR Deficiency

Manifestation/
Concern
TreatmentConsiderations/Other
Low cerebral
creatine levels
  • Creatine monohydrate 100-200 mg/kg bw/day in 3 doses
  • Arginine (hydrochloride or base) 400 mg/kg bw/day in 3 doses
  • Glycine 150 mg/kg bw/day in 3 doses
  • The authors recommend that all 3 supplements be started together in newly diagnosed persons – esp in early childhood – to slow disease progression.
  • Clinical effectiveness of treatment w/3 supplements not confirmed, but improvements noted 1

Prevention of Primary Manifestations

See Treatment of Manifestations.

Surveillance

Surveillance recommendations for CDDs are summarized in Table 9.

Table 9.

Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with Creatine Deficiency Disorders

System/ConcernEvaluationFrequency
Development Monitor developmental progress & educational needs.At each visit
Neurologic Monitor those w/seizures as clinically indicated.
Assess for new manifestations such as seizures, mvmt disorders, & behavioral problems.
For those
undergoing
treatment of
low cerebral
creatine levels
Determination of cerebral creatine level by in vivo 1H-MRS
  • For those w/GAMT or AGAT deficiency: to monitor cerebral creatine levels during creatine supplementation therapy
  • For those w/CRTR deficiency: to monitor cerebral creatine levels for assessment of treatment outcome
Assess kidney function (GFR) while on creatine supplementation therapy to detect possible creatine-assoc nephropathy in GAMT, AGAT, & CRTR deficiencies.Annually
For GAMT deficiency, assess:
  • Growth & nutritional status;
  • Plasma GAA levels, plasma amino acids, ammonia, protein, albumin, pre-albumin levels.
Every 3-6 mos
For AGAT deficiency, no surveillance labs needed
For CRTR deficiency, assess plasma GAA levels & plasma amino acids. 1Every 3-6 mos

GAA = guanidinoacetate; GFR = glomerular filtration rate

1.

High-dose arginine and glycine supplementation can result in increased GAA levels.

Evaluation of Relatives at Risk

It is appropriate to evaluate neonates at risk for a creatine deficiency disorder to allow for early diagnosis and treatment. (Note: It is not proven that early treatment of CRTR deficiency would change the outcome.)

Evaluations can include:

  • Molecular genetic testing if the pathogenic variants in the family are known;
  • Biochemical genetic testing if the pathogenic variants in the family are not known.

See Genetic Counseling for issues related to evaluation of at-risk relatives for genetic counseling purposes.

Pregnancy Management

Pregnancy management has been reported in a single individual with AGAT deficiency. The fetal growth and head circumference declined by 20 weeks of pregnancy during monitoring. Creatine levels were low in the pregnant woman. Daily creatine dose was increased in the pregnant woman, and the baby was normal at delivery and was not affected with AGAT deficiency [Alessandrì et al 2020].

Therapies Under Investigation

There are no current clinical trials for any of the CDDs. Some pharmacotherapies are being investigated in cell lines or animal models of CRTR deficiency:

  • Swiss mice brain hippocampal slices were treated with diacetyl creatine ethyl ester (DAC) after creatine transporter was blocked using guanidinopropionic acid. The study showed an increase in intracellular creatine, and DAC was metabolized to creatine. Authors concluded that further research is needed to fully elucidate their hypotheses [Adriano et al 2018].
  • Dodecyl creatine ester was administered intranasally and intracerebroventricularly in Slc6a8-/y mice and a novel object recognition (NOR) test was applied. There was restoration of NOR learning and 50% increase in creatine [Ullio-Gamboa et al 2019].
  • 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA) was shown to increase creatine uptake in transfected HEK293 cells expressing pathogenic variants in SLC6A8 [El-Kasaby et al 2019]. 4-PBA was considered to be a pharmaco-chaperone to rescue CTRT activity.
  • Cyclocreatine was used in a CRTR deficiency mouse model and was effective in treating cognitive functions, epilepsy, and behavioral features [Cacciante et al 2020].

Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.

Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling is the process of providing individuals and families with information on the nature, mode(s) of inheritance, and implications of genetic disorders to help them make informed medical and personal decisions. The following section deals with genetic risk assessment and the use of family history and genetic testing to clarify genetic status for family members; it is not meant to address all personal, cultural, or ethical issues that may arise or to substitute for consultation with a genetics professional. —ED.

Mode of Inheritance

Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency and L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) deficiency are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.

Creatine transporter (CRTR) deficiency is inherited in an X-linked manner.

Autosomal Recessive Inheritance – Risk to Family Members

Parents of a proband

  • The parents of a child with GAMT or AGAT deficiency are presumed to be heterozygous for a GAMT or GATM pathogenic variant.
  • Molecular genetic testing recommended for the parents of a proband to confirm that both parents are heterozygous for a GAMT or GATM pathogenic variant and to allow reliable recurrence risk assessment.
  • If a pathogenic variant is detected in only one parent and parental identity testing has confirmed biological maternity and paternity, it is possible that one of the pathogenic variants identified in the proband occurred as a de novo event in the proband or as a postzygotic de novo event in a mosaic parent [Jónsson et al 2017]. If the proband appears to have homozygous pathogenic variants (i.e., the same 2 pathogenic variants), additional possibilities to consider include:
    • A single- or multiexon deletion in the proband that was not detected by sequence analysis and that resulted in the artifactual appearance of homozygosity;
    • Uniparental isodisomy for the parental chromosome with the pathogenic variant that resulted in homozygosity for the pathogenic variant in the proband.
  • Heterozygotes (carriers) are asymptomatic and are not at risk of developing the disorder.

Sibs of a proband

  • If both parents are known to be heterozygous for a GAMT or GATM pathogenic variant, each sib of an affected individual has at conception a 25% chance of being affected, a 50% chance of being an asymptomatic carrier, and a 25% chance of being unaffected and not a carrier.
  • Heterozygotes (carriers) are asymptomatic and are not at risk of developing the disorder.

Offspring of a proband. To date, individuals with GAMT or AGAT deficiency are not known to reproduce.

Other family members. Each sib of the proband's parents is at 50% risk of being a carrier of a GAMT or GATM pathogenic variant.

Carrier detection. Molecular genetic carrier testing for at-risk relatives requires prior identification of the GAMT or GATM pathogenic variants in the family.

Note: Because biochemical testing is normal in carriers for GAMT and AGAT deficiencies, identification of carriers requires molecular genetic testing for the familial GAMT or GATM pathogenic variants.

X-Linked Inheritance – Risk to Family Members

Parents of a male proband

  • The father of a male with CRTR deficiency will not have the disorder nor will he be hemizygous for the SLC6A8 pathogenic variant; therefore, he does not require further evaluation/testing.
  • In a family with more than one affected child, the mother of an affected male is an obligate heterozygote. Note: If a woman has more than one affected child and no other affected relatives and if the SLC6A8 pathogenic variant cannot be detected in her leukocyte DNA, she most likely has germline mosaicism.
  • If a male is the only affected family member, the mother may be a heterozygote, the affected male may have a de novo SLC6A8 pathogenic variant (in which case the mother is not a heterozygote), or the mother may have somatic/germline mosaicism [van de Kamp et al 2013a, van de Kamp et al 2014].
    • SLC6A8 pathogenic variants occurred de novo in 30% of the individuals with CRTR deficiency in a retrospective study of 85 families [van de Kamp et al 2013a].
    • 7% of mothers in a retrospective study of 85 families had somatic/germline mosaicism [van de Kamp et al 2013a].
  • Molecular genetic testing of the mother is recommended to confirm her genetic status and to allow reliable recurrence risk assessment.
  • Heterozygous mothers may have a history of learning disability or mild intellectual disability or seizures [Mercimek-Mahmutoglu et al 2010, van de Kamp et al 2011] (see Clinical Description, CRTR Deficiency ‒ Heterozygous Females).

Sibs of a male proband. The risk to sibs depends on the genetic status of the mother:

  • If the mother of the proband has an SLC6A8 pathogenic variant, the chance of transmitting it in each pregnancy is 50%:
    • Males who inherit the pathogenic variant will be affected;
    • Females who inherit the pathogenic variant will be heterozygous and may develop clinical findings related to the disorder (see Clinical Description, CRTR Deficiency ‒ Heterozygous Females).
  • If the proband represents a simplex case (i.e., a single occurrence in a family) and if the SLC6A8 pathogenic variant cannot be detected in the leukocyte DNA of the mother, the risk to sibs is presumed to be low but greater than that of the general population because of the possibility of maternal germline mosaicism [van de Kamp et al 2011, van de Kamp et al 2013a].

Offspring of a male proband. Affected males are not to known to reproduce.

Other family members. The proband's maternal aunts may be at risk of being heterozygous for the SLC6A8 pathogenic variant and the aunts' offspring, depending on their sex, may be at risk of being heterozygous or hemizygous for the pathogenic variant.

Heterozygote detection. Molecular genetic testing to identify female heterozygotes requires prior identification of the SLC6A8 pathogenic variant in the family. Note: Females who are heterozygous for an SLC6A8 pathogenic variant may develop clinical findings related to the disorder (see Clinical Description, CRTR Deficiency ‒ Heterozygous Females).

Note: Because heterozygous females may have a normal creatine-to-creatinine ratio in urine and normal creatine content on brain 1H-MRS [van de Kamp et al 2011], identification of female heterozygotes requires SLC6A8 molecular genetic testing.

Related Genetic Counseling Issues

See Management, Evaluation of Relatives at Risk for information on evaluating at-risk relatives for the purpose of early diagnosis and treatment.

Family planning

  • The optimal time for determination of genetic risk and discussion of the availability of prenatal/preimplantation genetic testing is before pregnancy.
  • It is appropriate to offer genetic counseling (including discussion of potential risks to offspring and reproductive options) to young adults who are heterozygous or are at risk of being heterozygous.

DNA banking. Because it is likely that testing methodology and our understanding of genes, pathogenic mechanisms, and diseases will improve in the future, consideration should be given to banking DNA from probands in whom a molecular diagnosis has not been confirmed (i.e., the causative pathogenic mechanism is unknown). For more information, see Huang et al [2022].

Prenatal Testing and Preimplantation Genetic Testing

Molecular genetic testing. Once the GAMT, GATM, or SLC6A8 pathogenic variant(s) have been identified in an affected family member, prenatal testing for a pregnancy at increased risk and preimplantation genetic testing are possible.

Biochemical testing. Prenatal diagnosis for a pregnancy at increased risk for GAMT deficiency is possible by analysis of guanidinoacetate (GAA) and creatine in amniotic fluid. Amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis was performed at 15 weeks' gestation in the mother of a child with GAMT deficiency. GAA was 11.43 μmol/L (normal range for 15 weeks of amenorrhea was 2.96±0.70 μmol/L) [Cheillan et al 2006]. As there is very limited information on the use of biochemical testing in the prenatal diagnosis of creatine deficiency disorders, molecular genetic testing is the preferred method for prenatal diagnosis.

Differences in perspective may exist among medical professionals and within families regarding the use of prenatal testing. While most centers would consider use of prenatal testing to be a personal decision, discussion of these issues may be helpful.

Resources

GeneReviews staff has selected the following disease-specific and/or umbrella support organizations and/or registries for the benefit of individuals with this disorder and their families. GeneReviews is not responsible for the information provided by other organizations. For information on selection criteria, click here.

Molecular Genetics

Information in the Molecular Genetics and OMIM tables may differ from that elsewhere in the GeneReview: tables may contain more recent information. —ED.

Table A.

Creatine Deficiency Disorders: Genes and Databases

Data are compiled from the following standard references: gene from HGNC; chromosome locus from OMIM; protein from UniProt. For a description of databases (Locus Specific, HGMD, ClinVar) to which links are provided, click here.

Table B.

OMIM Entries for Creatine Deficiency Disorders (View All in OMIM)

300036SOLUTE CARRIER FAMILY 6 (NEUROTRANSMITTER TRANSPORTER, CREATINE), MEMBER 8; SLC6A8
300352CEREBRAL CREATINE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME 1; CCDS1
601240GUANIDINOACETATE METHYLTRANSFERASE; GAMT
602360L-ARGININE:GLYCINE AMIDINOTRANSFERASE; GATM
612718CEREBRAL CREATINE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME 3; CCDS3
612736CEREBRAL CREATINE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME 2; CCDS2

Molecular Pathogenesis

Creatine is synthesized by two enzymatic reactions:

  • Transfer of the amidino group from arginine to glycine, yielding guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and catalyzed by L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (also known as glycine amidinotransferase, mitochondrial, AGAT, or GATM)
  • Methylation of the amidino group in the GAA molecule by S-adenosyl-L-methionine:N-guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (also known as guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase or GAMT)

Creatine is synthesized primarily in the kidney and pancreas, which have high AGAT activity, and in the liver, which has high GAMT activity. Both genes and enzymes have been detected in the brain as well [Braissant & Henry 2008].

Synthesized creatine is transported via the bloodstream to the organs of utilization (mainly muscle and brain), where it is taken up via sodium- and chloride-dependent creatine transporter 1 (SLC6A8 protein) (Figure 2) [Wyss & Kaddurah-Daouk 2000]. This protein is predominantly expressed in skeletal muscle and kidney, but also found in brain, heart, colon, testis, and prostate. The creatine-phosphocreatine shuttle has a key function in the maintenance of the energy supply to skeletal and cardiac muscle. Muscle cells do not synthesize creatine, but take it up via a special sodium-dependent transporter, the creatine transporter.

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

Schema illustrating (1) CREATINE SYNTHESIS that occurs mainly in liver, pancreas, and kidney; (2) CREATINE UPTAKE into cells (especially for high energy-requiring organs such as muscles and the brain by the creatine transporter (CRTR); and (3) non-enzymatic (more...)

Mechanism of disease causation

  • Biallelic pathogenic variants in either GAMT or GATM result in a deficiency of the associated enzyme, resulting in deficient synthesis of creatine.
  • A hemizygous (or heterozygous) pathogenic variant in SLC6A8 results in deficient synthesis of the creatine transporter protein, resulting in deficient transport of creatine to the brain and muscle.

Gene-specific laboratory considerations: SLCA8. A paralogous copy of this gene is localized at chromosome 16, which can interfere with the genetic tests.

Chapter Notes

Author Notes

Dr Mercimek-Andrews has long-standing experience in the diagnosis and treatment of creatine deficiency disorders (CDDs). She is a neurometabolic physician and clinician scientist. She treats patients with CRTR deficiency and provides consultations to physicians and parents for the treatment of CDDs. She is one of the Scientific Medical Advisory Board members for the Association for Creatine Deficiencies.

www.wchri.org/members-and-trainees/find-a-researcher/saadet-andrews/

www.ualberta.ca/medical-genetics/people/faculty/saadet-andrews.html

Dr Salomons has long-standing experience in the laboratory diagnosis of CDDs. She is a clinical laboratory genetic specialist and head of the Laboratory of Genetic Metabolic Diseases at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, the Netherlands. She discovered CRTR deficiency with her team and that of Dr DeGrauw.

www.amc.nl/web/laboratory-genetic-metabolic-diseases-lgmd.htm

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr Sylvia Stöckler (Stöckler-Ipsiroglu), who discovered the first two creatine biosynthesis defects, GAMT deficiency and AGAT deficiency.

We would like to thank Dr DeGrauw and Dr Salomons, who discovered CRTR deficiency.

We would like to thank Dr Schulze, who discovered the high-dose ornithine supplementation combined with an arginine- and protein-restricted diet for the treatment of GAMT deficiency.

Author History

Saadet Mercimek-Andrews, MD, PhD, FCCMG, FRCPC (2008-present)
Gaija S Salomons, PhD (2008-present)
Sylvia Stöckler-Ipsiroglu, MD, PhD, MBA, FRCPC; University of British Columbia (2008-2015)

Revision History

  • 10 February 2022 (ha) Comprehensive update posted live
  • 10 December 2015 (me) Comprehensive update posted live
  • 18 August 2011 (me) Comprehensive update posted live
  • 15 January 2009 (me) Review posted live
  • 24 July 2008 (smm) Original submission

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