A novel gene mutation in PANK2 in a patient with an atypical form of pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration

Abstract

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) disease is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder with iron storage in the brain due to PANK2 gene mutations. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows the typical "eye-of-the-tiger" sign. The aim of the present study was to describe clinical, MRI and molecular findings in a 26-year-old male with atypical PKAN disease in whom, brain MRI scans showed bilateral pallidal T2-hypointensity with a small central region of T2-hyperintensity, resembling the "eye-of-the-tiger" typical image. Genetic analysis identified two mutations in PANK2: c.1561G>A and c.1663G>A, being the latter never described before. Due to limited phenotype-genotype correlation among patients with movement disorders, if "eye-of-the-tiger" brain MRI is present, PANK2 mutations investigation are needed to confirm PKAN disease.

Keywords: Atypical PKAN disease; PANK2 new mutation.