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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/lesch-nyhan-syndrome/

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Description

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is a condition that occurs almost exclusively in males. It is characterized by neurological and behavioral abnormalities and the overproduction of uric acid. Uric acid is a waste product of normal chemical processes and is found in blood and urine. Excess uric acid can be released from the blood and build up under the skin and cause gouty arthritis (arthritis caused by an accumulation of uric acid in the joints). Uric acid accumulation can also cause kidney and bladder stones.

The nervous system and behavioral disturbances experienced by people with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome include abnormal involuntary muscle movements, such as tensing of various muscles (dystonia), jerking movements (chorea), and flailing of the limbs (ballismus). People with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome usually cannot walk, require assistance sitting, and generally use a wheelchair. Self-injury (including biting and head banging) is the most common and distinctive behavioral problem in individuals with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

Frequency

The prevalence of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is approximately 1 in 380,000 individuals. This condition occurs with a similar frequency in all populations.

Causes

Mutations in the HPRT1 gene cause Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. The HPRT1 gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1. This enzyme is responsible for recycling purines, a type of building block of DNA and its chemical cousin RNA. Recycling purines ensures that cells have a plentiful supply of building blocks for the production of DNA and RNA.

HPRT1 gene mutations that cause Lesch-Nyhan syndrome result in a severe shortage (deficiency) or complete absence of hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1. When this enzyme is lacking, purines are broken down but not recycled, producing abnormally high levels of uric acid. For unknown reasons, a deficiency of hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1 is associated with low levels of a chemical messenger in the brain called dopamine. Dopamine transmits messages that help the brain control physical movement and emotional behavior, and its shortage may play a role in the movement problems and other features of this disorder. However, it is unclear how a shortage of hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1 causes the neurological and behavioral problems characteristic of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

Some people with HPRT1 gene mutations produce some functional enzyme. These individuals are said to have Lesch-Nyhan variant. The signs and symptoms of Lesch-Nyhan variant are often milder than those of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and do not include self-injury.

Learn more about the gene associated with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Inheritance

This condition is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern. The gene associated with this condition is located on the X chromosome, which is one of the two sex chromosomes. In males (who have only one X chromosome), one altered copy of the gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the condition. In females (who have two X chromosomes), a mutation would have to occur in both copies of the gene to cause the disorder. Because it is unlikely that females will have two altered copies of this gene, males are affected by X-linked recessive disorders much more frequently than females. A characteristic of X-linked inheritance is that fathers cannot pass X-linked traits to their sons.

Other Names for This Condition

  • Choreoathetosis self-mutilation syndrome
  • Complete HPRT deficiency
  • Complete hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency
  • Deficiency of guanine phosphoribosyltransferase
  • Deficiency of hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase
  • HGPRT deficiency
  • Hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency
  • Hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency
  • Juvenile gout, choreoathetosis, mental retardation syndrome
  • Juvenile hyperuricemia syndrome
  • Lesch-Nyhan disease
  • LND
  • LNS
  • Primary hyperuricemia syndrome
  • Total HPRT deficiency
  • Total hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase deficiency
  • X-linked hyperuricemia
  • X-linked primary hyperuricemia
  • X-linked uric aciduria enzyme defect

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

  • Ceballos-Picot I, Mockel L, Potier MC, Dauphinot L, Shirley TL, Torero-Ibad R, Fuchs J, Jinnah HA. Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase regulates early developmental programming of dopamine neurons: implications for Lesch-Nyhan disease pathogenesis. Hum Mol Genet. 2009 Jul 1;18(13):2317-27. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddp164. Epub 2009 Apr 2. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Deutsch SI, Long KD, Rosse RB, Mastropaolo J, Eller J. Hypothesized deficiency of guanine-based purines may contribute to abnormalities of neurodevelopment, neuromodulation, and neurotransmission in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2005 Jan-Feb;28(1):28-37. doi: 10.1097/01.wnf.0000152043.36198.25. Citation on PubMed
  • Ernst M, Zametkin AJ, Matochik JA, Pascualvaca D, Jons PH, Hardy K, Hankerson JG, Doudet DJ, Cohen RM. Presynaptic dopaminergic deficits in Lesch-Nyhan disease. N Engl J Med. 1996 Jun 13;334(24):1568-72. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199606133342403. Citation on PubMed
  • Jinnah HA, De Gregorio L, Harris JC, Nyhan WL, O'Neill JP. The spectrum of inherited mutations causing HPRT deficiency: 75 new cases and a review of 196 previously reported cases. Mutat Res. 2000 Oct;463(3):309-26. doi: 10.1016/s1383-5742(00)00052-1. Citation on PubMed
  • Jinnah HA, Visser JE, Harris JC, Verdu A, Larovere L, Ceballos-Picot I, Gonzalez-Alegre P, Neychev V, Torres RJ, Dulac O, Desguerre I, Schretlen DJ, Robey KL, Barabas G, Bloem BR, Nyhan W, De Kremer R, Eddey GE, Puig JG, Reich SG; Lesch-Nyhan Disease International Study Group. Delineation of the motor disorder of Lesch-Nyhan disease. Brain. 2006 May;129(Pt 5):1201-17. doi: 10.1093/brain/awl056. Epub 2006 Mar 20. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Nyhan WL. Dopamine function in Lesch-Nyhan disease. Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):409-11. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3409. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Nyhan WL. The recognition of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome as an inborn error of purine metabolism. J Inherit Metab Dis. 1997 Jun;20(2):171-8. doi: 10.1023/a:1005348504512. Citation on PubMed
  • Puig JG, Torres RJ, Mateos FA, Ramos TH, Arcas JM, Buno AS, O'Neill P. The spectrum of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) deficiency. Clinical experience based on 22 patients from 18 Spanish families. Medicine (Baltimore). 2001 Mar;80(2):102-12. doi: 10.1097/00005792-200103000-00003. Citation on PubMed
  • Saito Y, Takashima S. Neurotransmitter changes in the pathophysiology of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Brain Dev. 2000 Sep;22 Suppl 1:S122-31. doi: 10.1016/s0387-7604(00)00143-1. Citation on PubMed
  • Visser JE, Bar PR, Jinnah HA. Lesch-Nyhan disease and the basal ganglia. Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 2000 Apr;32(2-3):449-75. doi: 10.1016/s0165-0173(99)00094-6. 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.