A Pyramidal Cause of a Cerebellar Ataxia: HSP-7

A 43-year-old man presented with a slowly progressive fatigue and coordination problems, coupled with a radiological appearance of diffuse atrophy, especially in the cerebellar hemispheres. The diagnostic process was challenging because initially the additional investigations were focused on a cerebellar ataxia. In the following months, his ataxic gait developed in a more spastic pattern and whole exome sequencing revealed mutations in the SPG7 gene, confirming a diagnosis of hereditary spastic paraplegia. Therefore, the authors call for an extension of genetic panels in ataxia patients.Case Rep Neurol 2020;12:329 –333

Source: Case Reports in Neurology - October 2, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research