Transcranial sonography findings in a large family with homozygous and heterozygous PINK1 mutations

J. M. Hagenah, B. Becker, N. Brüggemann, A. Djarmati, K. Lohmann, A. Sprenger, C. Klein, G. Seidel

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To investigate substantia nigra (SN) echogenicity in members of a family with homozygous and heterozygous PTEN induced kinase (PINK1) mutations with or without signs of Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: Transcranial sonography (TCS) was used to investigate 20 members of a family with PINK1 mutations, including four homozygous and 11 heterozygous mutation carriers and five individuals with no mutation. For comparison, a healthy control group of 18 subjects without a positive family history of PD (control group) and a healthy control group of 15 subjects with a positive family history of sporadic PD (relative group) were investigated. For statistical analysis, the larger area of the two SNs echogenicity (aSNmax) of each individual was selected. Results: A significantly increased aSNmax was found for all subgroups compared with the control group. The group of homozygous carriers of a PINK1 mutation had a significantly increased aSNmax compared with all of the other subgroups, except the group of heterozygous mutation carriers. Conclusions: These findings in carriers of a PINK1 mutation are comparable with those in carriers of Parkin mutations and non-genetic PD. The increased aSNmax in family members without a mutation suggests an additional contributing factor independent of the PINK1 mutation that may also play a role in relatives of patients with sporadic PD.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
Volume79
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)1071-1074
Number of pages4
ISSN0022-3050
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.09.2008

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