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Salla disease

 
Wikipedia: Salla disease
Salla disease
Classification and external resources

Sialic acid
OMIM 604369
DiseasesDB 31935
MeSH D029461

Salla disease (also called sialic acid storage disease or Finnish type sialuria) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease characterized by early physical impairment and mental retardation. First described in 1979,[1] Salla disease is named after Salla, a municipality in Finnish Lapland. Salla disease is one of 40 Finnish heritage diseases and affects approximately 130 individuals, mainly from Finland and Sweden.

Contents

Diagnosis

Individuals with Salla disease may present with nystagmus in the first months of life as well as hypotonia, reduced muscle tone and strength, and cognitive impairment. The most severely impaired children do not walk or acquire language, but the typical patient learns to walk and speak and has normal life expectancy. The MRI shows arrested or delayed myelination.

Pathophysiology

Salla disease has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance.

The disorder is caused by a mutation in chromosome 6 (a recessive genetic trait in the gene SLC17A5, the locus of which is 6q14-15). This gene codes for sialin, a lysosomal membrane protein that transports the charged sugar, N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid), out of lysosomes. The mutation causes sialic acid to build up in the cells.

Life Expectancy

The life expectancy for individuals with Salla disease is between the ages of 50 and 60.

Diagnosis and Testing

A diagnosis of this disorder can be made by measuring urine to look for elevated levels of free sialic acid. Prenatal testing is also available for known carriers of this disorder.

Treatment

There is no cure for Salla Disease. Treatment is limited to controlling the symptoms of this disorder. Anti-convulsant medication may control seizure episodes. Physical therapists can assist an affected individual to build muscle strength and coordination, and speech therapists may assist the affected individual in improving his or her speech.

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ Aula, P; Autio, S; Raivio, Ko; Rapola, J; Thodén, Cj; Koskela, Sl; Yamashina, I (Feb 1979). ""Salla disease": a new lysosomal storage disorder" (Free full text). Archives of neurology 36 (2): 88–94. ISSN 0003-9942. PMID 420628. http://www.genetests.org/query?pmid=420628. 
  • Autio-Harmainen H, Oldfors A, Sourander P, Renlund M, Dammert K, Simila S (1988). "Neuropathology of Salla disease". Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 75 (5): 481–90. doi:10.1007/BF00687135. PMID 3287834. 
  • Strehle EM (2003). "Sialic acid storage disease and related disorders". Genet Test 7 (2): 113–21. doi:10.1089/109065703322146795. PMID 12885332. 
  • Kleta R, Morse RP, Orvisky E, Krasnewich D, Alroy J, Ucci AA, Bernardini I, Wenger DA, Gahl WA (2004). "Clinical, biochemical, and molecular diagnosis of a free sialic acid storage disease patient of moderate severity". Mol Genet Metab 82 (2): 137–43. doi:10.1016/j.ymgme.2004.03.001. PMID 15172001. 



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