Gómez-Calero Víctor, Cornejo-Olivas Mario, Ortega Olimpio, Marca Victoria, Lindo-Samanamud Saúl, Flores Martha, Torres-Ramírez Luis, Mazzetti Pilar
Departamento de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Perú
Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica. 2013 Apr;30(2):331-5.
Kennedy's disease is an X-linked recessive disorder with onset in adulthood, characterized by progressive degeneration of spinal motor neurons due to a dynamic mutation in the androgen receptor gene. We report three families (five cases) characterized by progressive weakness involving both limbs and bulbar muscles, atrophy, tremor, cramps and endocrinologic disturbances; the neurophysiological studies demonstrated second motor neuron impairment. The molecular analysis identified abnormal CAG repeats expansion in the androgen receptor gene (AR) in all cases. Clinical features were consistent with other previous reports. These are the first Peruvian cases of Kennedy's disease with confirmed molecular diagnosis.
