U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 8 northern epilepsy variant(EPMR)

MedGen UID:
355328
Concept ID:
C1864923
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: EPILEPSY, PROGRESSIVE, WITH MENTAL RETARDATION; Northern epilepsy
SNOMED CT: Progressive epilepsy with mental retardation (703526007); Northern epilepsy (703526007); Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 8 (703526007); Progressive epilepsy-intellectual disability syndrome Finnish type (703526007)
Modes of inheritance:
Autosomal recessive inheritance
MedGen UID:
141025
Concept ID:
C0441748
Intellectual Product
Source: Orphanet
A mode of inheritance that is observed for traits related to a gene encoded on one of the autosomes (i.e., the human chromosomes 1-22) in which a trait manifests in individuals with two pathogenic alleles, either homozygotes (two copies of the same mutant allele) or compound heterozygotes (whereby each copy of a gene has a distinct mutant allele).
 
Gene (location): CLN8 (8p23.3)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0012391
OMIM®: 610003
Orphanet: ORPHA1947

Definition

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL; CLN) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the intracellular accumulation of autofluorescent lipopigment storage material in different patterns ultrastructurally. The lipopigment patterns observed most often in CLN8 comprise mixed combinations of 'granular,' 'curvilinear,' and 'fingerprint' profiles (Mole et al., 2005). For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of CLN, see CLN1 (256730). [from OMIM]

Additional description

From MedlinePlus Genetics
CLN8 disease is one of a group of disorders known as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), which may also be collectively referred to as Batten disease. All these disorders affect the nervous system and typically cause worsening problems with vision, movement, and thinking ability. The different NCLs are distinguished by their genetic cause. Each disease type is given the designation "CLN," meaning ceroid lipofuscinosis, neuronal, and then a number to indicate its subtype.

The more-severe form of CLN8 disease typically begins between ages 2 and 7.The seizures in this form involve uncontrollable muscle jerks (myoclonic epilepsy). Individuals with the more-severe form have a more pronounced decline in intellectual function and usually lose the ability to speak. Vision loss is also common. People with this form of CLN8 disease have increasing difficulty walking and coordinating movements (ataxia), eventually becoming immobile. Individuals with the more-severe form of CLN8 disease usually survive only into late childhood or adolescence.

The less-severe form of CLN8 disease, sometimes referred to as Northern epilepsy, is characterized by recurrent seizures (epilepsy) and a decline in intellectual function that begins between ages 5 and 10. The seizures in this form may be resistant to treatment and are often the generalized tonic-clonic type, which involve muscle rigidity, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Some people with this form of CLN8 disease also experience partial seizures, which do not cause a loss of consciousness. The seizures occur approximately one to two times per month until adolescence; by early adulthood the frequency decreases to about four to six times per year. By middle age, seizures become even less frequent. In addition to seizures, affected individuals experience a gradual decline in intellectual function and develop problems with coordination and balance. Vision problems may occur in early to mid-adulthood. Individuals with the less-severe form of CLN8 disease often live into late adulthood.

CLN8 disease is an inherited disorder that varies in severity and primarily affects the nervous system. The condition is generally separated into less-severe and more-severe forms, based on the types of signs and symptoms that develop and life expectancy.  https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/cln8-disease

Clinical features

From HPO
EEG abnormality
MedGen UID:
56235
Concept ID:
C0151611
Finding
Abnormality observed by electroencephalogram (EEG), which is used to record of the brain's spontaneous electrical activity from multiple electrodes placed on the scalp.
Clumsiness
MedGen UID:
66690
Concept ID:
C0233844
Sign or Symptom
Lack of physical coordination resulting in an abnormal tendency to drop items or bump into objects.
Mental deterioration
MedGen UID:
66713
Concept ID:
C0234985
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Loss of previously present mental abilities, generally in adults.
Cerebral atrophy
MedGen UID:
116012
Concept ID:
C0235946
Disease or Syndrome
Atrophy (wasting, decrease in size of cells or tissue) affecting the cerebrum.
Focal impaired awareness seizure
MedGen UID:
543022
Concept ID:
C0270834
Disease or Syndrome
Focal impaired awareness seizure (or focal seizure with impaired or lost awareness) is a type of focal-onset seizure characterized by some degree (which may be partial) of impairment of the person's awareness of themselves or their surroundings at any point during the seizure.
Bilateral tonic-clonic seizure
MedGen UID:
141670
Concept ID:
C0494475
Sign or Symptom
A bilateral tonic-clonic seizure is a seizure defined by a tonic (bilateral increased tone, lasting seconds to minutes) and then a clonic (bilateral sustained rhythmic jerking) phase.
Cerebellar atrophy
MedGen UID:
196624
Concept ID:
C0740279
Disease or Syndrome
Cerebellar atrophy is defined as a cerebellum with initially normal structures, in a posterior fossa with normal size, which displays enlarged fissures (interfolial spaces) in comparison to the foliae secondary to loss of tissue. Cerebellar atrophy implies irreversible loss of tissue and result from an ongoing progressive disease until a final stage is reached or a single injury, e.g. an intoxication or infectious event.
Irritability
MedGen UID:
397841
Concept ID:
C2700617
Mental Process
A proneness to anger, i.e., a tendency to become easily bothered or annoyed.
Intellectual disability
MedGen UID:
811461
Concept ID:
C3714756
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Intellectual disability, previously referred to as mental retardation, is characterized by subnormal intellectual functioning that occurs during the developmental period. It is defined by an IQ score below 70.
Restlessness
MedGen UID:
854457
Concept ID:
C3887611
Sign or Symptom
A state of unease is characterized by diffuse motor activity or motion, which is subject to limited control, nonproductive, or disorganized behavior.
Increased neuronal autofluorescent lipopigment
MedGen UID:
892355
Concept ID:
C4025728
Finding
Lipofuscin, a generic term applied to autofluorescent lipopigment, is a mixture of protein and lipid that accumulates in most aging cells, particularly those involved in high lipid turnover (e.g., the adrenal medulla) or phagocytosis of other cell types (e g., the retinal pigment epithelium or RPE; macrophage). This term pertains if there is an increase in the neuronal accumulation of lipofuscin (also known as autofluorescent lipoprotein) more than expected for the age of the patient.
Curvilinear intracellular accumulation of autofluorescent lipopigment storage material
MedGen UID:
323011
Concept ID:
C1836852
Finding
An intracellular accumulation of autofluorescent lipopigment storage material in a curved pattern.

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  
  • CROGVNeuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 8 northern epilepsy variant
Follow this link to review classifications for Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 8 northern epilepsy variant in Orphanet.

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Alkhars FZ, Bo Ali AY, Almohanna MA, Almajhad NA
Neurosciences (Riyadh) 2020 Jan;25(1):65-69. doi: 10.17712/nsj.2020.1.20190103. PMID: 31982899Free PMC Article
Wisniewski KE, Zhong N, Philippart M
Neurology 2001 Aug 28;57(4):576-81. doi: 10.1212/wnl.57.4.576. PMID: 11548735

Diagnosis

Sahin Y, Güngör O, Gormez Z, Demirci H, Ergüner B, Güngör G, Dilber C
Acta Neurol Belg 2017 Mar;117(1):159-167. Epub 2016 Nov 14 doi: 10.1007/s13760-016-0721-3. PMID: 27844444
Wisniewski KE, Zhong N, Philippart M
Neurology 2001 Aug 28;57(4):576-81. doi: 10.1212/wnl.57.4.576. PMID: 11548735

Prognosis

Alkhars FZ, Bo Ali AY, Almohanna MA, Almajhad NA
Neurosciences (Riyadh) 2020 Jan;25(1):65-69. doi: 10.17712/nsj.2020.1.20190103. PMID: 31982899Free PMC Article
Sahin Y, Güngör O, Gormez Z, Demirci H, Ergüner B, Güngör G, Dilber C
Acta Neurol Belg 2017 Mar;117(1):159-167. Epub 2016 Nov 14 doi: 10.1007/s13760-016-0721-3. PMID: 27844444
Wisniewski KE, Zhong N, Philippart M
Neurology 2001 Aug 28;57(4):576-81. doi: 10.1212/wnl.57.4.576. PMID: 11548735

Clinical prediction guides

Alkhars FZ, Bo Ali AY, Almohanna MA, Almajhad NA
Neurosciences (Riyadh) 2020 Jan;25(1):65-69. doi: 10.17712/nsj.2020.1.20190103. PMID: 31982899Free PMC Article
Wisniewski KE, Zhong N, Philippart M
Neurology 2001 Aug 28;57(4):576-81. doi: 10.1212/wnl.57.4.576. PMID: 11548735

Supplemental Content

Recent activity

Your browsing activity is empty.

Activity recording is turned off.

Turn recording back on

See more...