Description
Hypomyelination and congenital cataract is an inherited condition that affects the nervous system and the eyes. This disease is one of a group of genetic disorders called leukoencephalopathies. Leukoencephalopathies involve abnormalities of the brain's white matter. White matter consists of nerve fibers covered by a fatty substance called myelin. Myelin insulates nerve fibers and promotes the rapid transmission of nerve impulses. Hypomyelination and congenital cataract is caused by a reduced ability to form myelin (hypomyelination). Additionally, people with this disorder are typically born with a clouding of the lens (cataract) in both eyes.
People with this condition usually have normal development throughout the first year of life. Development slows around the age of 1. Most affected children learn to walk between the ages of 1 and 2, although they usually need some type of support. Over time they experience muscle weakness and wasting (atrophy) in their legs, and many affected people eventually require wheelchair assistance. Weakness in the muscles of the trunk and a progressive abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis) further impair walking in some individuals. Most people with hypomyelination and congenital cataract have reduced sensation in their arms and legs (peripheral neuropathy). In addition, affected individuals typically have speech difficulties (dysarthria) and mild to moderate intellectual disability.
Frequency
The prevalence of hypomyelination and congenital cataract is unknown.
Causes
Mutations in the FAM126A gene cause hypomyelination and congenital cataract. The FAM126A gene provides instructions for making a protein called hyccin, the function of which is not completely understood. Based on the features of hypomyelination and congenital cataract, researchers presume that hyccin is involved in the formation of myelin throughout the nervous system. Hyccin is also active in the lens of the eye, the heart, and the kidneys. It is unclear how mutations in the FAM126A gene cause cataracts.
Most FAM126A gene mutations that cause hypomyelination and congenital cataract prevent the production of hyccin. People who cannot produce any hyccin have problems forming myelin, leading to the signs and symptoms of this condition.
People who have mutations that allow some protein production tend to have milder symptoms than those who produce no protein. These individuals typically retain the ability to walk longer, although they still need support, and they usually do not have peripheral neuropathy.
Inheritance
This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.
Other Names for This Condition
- HCC
Additional Information & Resources
Genetic Testing Information
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Patient Support and Advocacy Resources
Clinical Trials
Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM
Scientific Articles on PubMed
References
- Biancheri R, Zara F, Bruno C, Rossi A, Bordo L, Gazzerro E, Sotgia F, Pedemonte M, Scapolan S, Bado M, Uziel G, Bugiani M, Lamba LD, Costa V, Schenone A, Rozemuller AJ, Tortori-Donati P, Lisanti MP, van der Knaap MS, Minetti C. Phenotypic characterization of hypomyelination and congenital cataract. Ann Neurol. 2007 Aug;62(2):121-7. doi: 10.1002/ana.21175. Citation on PubMed
- Rossi A, Biancheri R, Zara F, Bruno C, Uziel G, van der Knaap MS, Minetti C, Tortori-Donati P. Hypomyelination and congenital cataract: neuroimaging features of a novel inherited white matter disorder. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2008 Feb;29(2):301-5. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A0792. Epub 2007 Nov 1. Citation on PubMed
- Ugur SA, Tolun A. A deletion in DRCTNNB1A associated with hypomyelination and juvenile onset cataract. Eur J Hum Genet. 2008 Feb;16(2):261-4. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201935. Epub 2007 Oct 10. Citation on PubMed
- Zara F, Biancheri R, Bruno C, Bordo L, Assereto S, Gazzerro E, Sotgia F, Wang XB, Gianotti S, Stringara S, Pedemonte M, Uziel G, Rossi A, Schenone A, Tortori-Donati P, van der Knaap MS, Lisanti MP, Minetti C. Deficiency of hyccin, a newly identified membrane protein, causes hypomyelination and congenital cataract. Nat Genet. 2006 Oct;38(10):1111-3. doi: 10.1038/ng1870. Epub 2006 Sep 3. Citation on PubMed
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.