Hereditary spastic paraplegias: time for an objective case definition and a new nosology for neurogenetic disorders to facilitate biomarker/therapeutic studies.

Hereditary spastic paraplegias: time for an objective case definition and a new nosology for neurogenetic disorders to facilitate biomarker/therapeutic studies. Expert Rev Neurother. 2019 Apr 30;:1-7 Authors: Elsayed LEO, Eltazi IZM, Ahmed AEM, Stevanin G Abstract INTRODUCTION: Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive lower limb weakness and spasticity as core symptoms of the degeneration of the corticospinal motor neurons. Even after exclusion of infectious and toxic mimickers of these disorders, the definitive diagnosis remains tricky, mainly in sporadic forms, as there is significant overlap with other disorders. Since their first description, various attempts failed to reach an appropriate classification. This was due to the constant expansion of the clinical spectrum of these diseases and the discovery of new genes, a significant number of them was involved in overlapping diseases. Areas covered: In this perspective review, an extensive literature study was conducted on the historical progress of HSP research. We also revised the previous and the current classifications of HSP and the closely related neurogenetic disorders and analyzed the areas of overlap. Expert opinion: There is undeniable need for objective case definition and reclassification of all neurogenetic disorders including HSPs, a prerequisite to improve patient follow-up, biomarker identification and develop thera...
Source: Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics - Category: Neurology Tags: Expert Rev Neurother Source Type: research