Treatable neurotransmitter deficiency in mild phenylketonuria

Neurology. 2001 Sep 11;57(5):908-11. doi: 10.1212/wnl.57.5.908.

Abstract

The authors describe a case of neurologic involvement in mild hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA), not due to tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) deficiency, with low levels of monoamine neurotransmitter metabolites in CSF. The combined BH(4)-Phe loading test suggested a BH(4) response, confirmed by clinical improvement after BH(4) therapy. Molecular study revealed a compound heterozygosity of the phenylalanine hydroxylase alleles: a mild HPA-associated mutation (T380M) and the new mutation D151E. This case demonstrates that even mild HPA, generally considered a benign disorder, may present neurologic impairment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Biogenic Monoamines / blood
  • Biogenic Monoamines / deficiency*
  • Biopterins / analogs & derivatives*
  • Biopterins / blood
  • Biopterins / deficiency*
  • Biopterins / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Phenylalanine / blood
  • Phenylalanine / therapeutic use
  • Phenylketonurias / blood
  • Phenylketonurias / drug therapy*
  • Tyrosine / blood

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biogenic Monoamines
  • Biopterins
  • Tyrosine
  • Phenylalanine
  • sapropterin