A Western Australian kindred with Dutch cerebral amyloid angiopathy

J Neurol Sci. 2005 Dec 15;239(1):75-80. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2005.08.002. Epub 2005 Oct 5.

Abstract

A family from the south of Western Australia is described with Dutch cerebral amyloid angiopathy (HCHWA-D). The proband died at age 60 from recurrent lobar haemorrhages in the brain, as did his sister and five other family members. The APP 693 mutation at position 22 of the Abetapeptide resulting in a glutamine for glutamic acid was identified in the proband and the affected sister. Pathologically lobar haemorrhages were found with cerebrovascular angiopathy; neuritic plaques were found but no neurofibrilary tangles. There was a leukoencephalopathy on MRI scanning. Dementia and cognitive decline has not been observed in this family. This is the first family reported outside of Europe and the Northern Hemisphere. The discovery highlights the importance of detecting this rare cause of fatal cerebral haemorrhage as it has implications for gene testing and general medical management.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amino Acid Substitution / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / genetics*
  • Brain / blood supply
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Familial / genetics*
  • Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Familial / pathology*
  • Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Familial / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Arteries / metabolism
  • Cerebral Arteries / pathology*
  • Cerebral Arteries / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / genetics
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Family Health
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Genetic Testing
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands
  • Pedigree
  • Plaque, Amyloid / genetics
  • Plaque, Amyloid / metabolism
  • Plaque, Amyloid / pathology
  • Point Mutation / genetics*
  • Western Australia

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides