Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration in two Chinese children: identification of a novel PANK2 gene mutation.

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (formerly Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome), the most prevalent form of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation, is a rare degenerative brain disease characterised by predominantly extrapyramidal dysfunction resulting from mutations in the PANK2 (pantothenate kinase 2) gene. Using DNA mutation analysis, the authors identified a novel missense mutation (P354L) in exon 4 of the PANK2 gene in an adolescent with classic pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration. DNA-based diagnosis of pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration plays a key role in determination, and can make the diagnosis more simply, directly, and economically because it obviates the need for unnecessary biochemical tests. Once pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration-like symptoms are identified, mutation analysis and target screening for the family of the proband can provide efficient and accurate evidence of pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration inheritance.