The facial nerve atrophy with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy patients (SBMA): Three case reports with 3D fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA)

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an X-linked neuromuscular disease caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) gene [1]. Men afflicted with SBMA develop weakness, atrophy, and fasciculations in the limbs and bulbar muscles during adulthood [2]. In SBMA, facial fasciculations and facial weakness are often prominent. Past SBMA histopathological reports observed that the marked depletion of lower motor neurons (LMNs) through all spinal segments and brainstem motor nuclei – including the facial nerve (FN), but not the third, fourth and sixth cranial nerves – whereas primary sensory neurons were less severely affected [3].

Source: Journal of the Neurological Sciences - September 11, 2019 Category: Neurology Authors: Mari Miyata, Shingo Kakeda, Tomoyo Hashimoto, Yukunori Korogi, Hiroaki Adachi Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research