Browsing by Subject "Ataxia Neuropathy Spectrum"

Objective Mitochondrial recessive ataxia syndrome (MIRAS) patients' phenotypes vary from early onset epileptic seizures to late onset ataxia and neuropathy. We aim to find possible phenotype influencing and this study focuses on folate as a predisposing factor. Methods MIRAS Patients (n=8; 2 early-onset, 3-early-adult-onset, 3 late-onset; all carriers of W748S) were interviewed, eating habits analyzed with food diaries and patients' folate levels analyzed. Results Early onset patients were markedly overweight at age of onset, while late-onset patients were mostly of normal weight at age of onset. Folate intake was inadequate but blood folate values were in normal range. Patients' folate serum levels were noticeably but non-significantly lower than controls', the levels correlated with age of onset(p<0,05). Patient erythrocyte folate levels did not differ from controls. Conclusion Weight gain and serum folate levels may be associated with an earlier age of onset. Patient folate levels are not markedly different from controls.