The role of gene in Chinese dementia patients: a P301L pedigree study and brief literature review.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common presenile dementia characterized by behavioral changes and language impairment. The diagnosis of FTD relies heavily on neuroimaging, and sometimes on genetic screening. However, the genetic components in Chinese FTD patients remain largely unknown. Only a few FTD cases with established mutations have been reported in China. This study reported the detailed clinical and neuroimaging features in a Chinese behavioral variant FTD family. The role of gene mutation in Chinese dementia patients was also reviewed.

METHODS

By detailed inquiry of all affected individuals in the family, this study summarized the main clinical features of the disease. Four candidate genes (, , , and ) were screened by direct sequencing. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional imaging of cerebral blood flow with arterial spin-labeled MRI (ASL-MRI), and cerebral metabolism with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) were collected in the proband and healthy mutation carriers.

RESULTS

By direct sequencing of candidate genes (, , , and ), this study identified the P301L mutation in the gene in the proband and three unaffected family members. The phenotype of the affected cases was consistent within the pedigree. In this genetically proven behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD) patient, the maps of hypoperfusion on ASL-MRI look fairly similar to the hypometabolism on FDG-PET. The clinical feature for this bvFTD was in line with the hypoperfusion or hypometabolism pattern on functional neuroimagings. The phenotype of P301L in east Asia seems similar to western countries.

CONCLUSION

For the inherited FTD patients, ASL-MRI and genetic identification were strongly recommended for the final diagnosis. In case of being underestimated, the role of gene mutation in Chinese FTD patients warrants further investigation.