Laminin alpha-2 (LAMA2)-related muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-MD, Merosin Deficient CMD) is a form of congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). A person with LAMA2-MD will have changes on brain imaging (MRI), a decrease or absence of the protein merosin (laminin 211) on muscle or skin biopsy and changes in the LAMA2 gene that are inherited from both parents. Several studies have described the changes on brain MRI. Brain changes on MRI do not correlate with the partial reduction or absence of merosin on muscle or skin biopsy. 8-30% of people with LAMA2-MD develop seizures. The types of seizures, electroencephalogram changes and common treatment regimens have not been characterized. This study will review the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes, determine whether certain brain MRI changes are linked to seizures and define the common seizure treatment regimens.
LAMA2-MD is a congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) subtype caused by mutations in the laminin alpha 2 gene. LAMA2-MD may present clinically as an early onset, severe phenotype or a late onset limb girdle phenotype. The early onset form is most commonly associated with a complete absence of merosin on muscle biopsy with profound neonatal hypotonia, possible respiratory distress and feeding difficulties while the late onset form presents with proximal muscle weakness, contractures and is able to achieve walking. In both early and late onset forms, brain white matter abnormalities have been described on brain MRI and approximately 8-30% develop a seizure disorder. On magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy, white matter changes are shown to be due to increased water content rather than areas of demyelination. Both, non-ambulant and ambulant patients may develop respiratory insufficiency requiring non-invasive ventilation and scoliosis. Although several studies have evaluated the correlation between brain MRI white matter changes and cognition, no studies to date have provided a systematic evaluation of brain imaging, electrophysiologic testing and seizures in patients identified by molecular or immunohistochemical testing to have LAMA2-MD.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
CMDIR
San Pedro, California, United States
Identify and grade the structural brain abnormalities observed on MRI
Both single and longitudinal brain MRIs will be retrieved with patient consent from hospitals within the United States. Two trained neuroradiologists will evaluate de-identified brain MRIs using a pre-determined scoring system to identify and classify structural abnormalities.
Time frame: up to 5 months
Seizure History
To obtain a seizure history on all individuals with LAMA2-MD who have had a seizure, including: type of seizures, age of seizure onset, seizure frequency, need for mechanical ventilation, seizure medications, and need for emergency room (ER) visit or hospitalization.
Time frame: up to 8 months
Evaluation of baseline and diagnostic electroencephalograms
Both baseline and diagnostic electroencephalograms (EEG) will be obtained with patient consent from hospitals within the United States. An epileptologist will review de-identified EEG recordings to identify and classify abnormalities using a predetermined scoring system.
Time frame: up to 8 months
Examine the association between brain MRI structural abnormalities and EEG findings
Compare the frequency of various grades of brain MRI abnormalities in individuals with LAMA2-MD with and without seizures. Identify any association between MRI abnormality and type of seizure.
Time frame: up to 11 months
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