Investigation of Visual System Involvement in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 14

AbstractSpinocerebellar ataxia type 14 (SCA-PRKCG, formerly SCA14) is a rare, slowly progressive disorder caused by conventional mutations in protein kinase C γ (PKCγ). The disease usually manifests with ataxia, but previous reports suggested PRKCG variants in retinal pathology. To systematically investigate for the first time visual function and retinal morphology in patients with SCA-PRKCG. Seventeen patients with PRKCG variants and 17 healthy control s were prospectively recruited, of which 12 genetically confirmed SCA-PRKCG patients and 14 matched controls were analyzed. We enquired a structured history for visual symptoms. Vision-related quality of life was obtained with the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ) includ ing the Neuro-Ophthalmic Supplement (NOS). Participants underwent testing of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual fields, and retinal morphology with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Measurements of the SCA-PRKCG group were analyzed for their association with clinical parameters (ataxia ra ting and disease duration). SCA-PRKCG patients rate their vision-related quality of life in NEI-VFQ significantly worse than controls. Furthermore, binocular visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were worse in SCA-PRKCG patients compared with controls. Despite this, none of the OCT measurements dif fered between groups. NEI-VFQ and NOS composite scores were related to ataxia severity. Additionally, we describe one patient with a gene...
Source: The Cerebellum - Category: Neurology Source Type: research