Alpers' Disease

Alpers' disease is a progressive, neurodevelopmental, mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome characterized by three co-occurring clinical symptoms: psychomotor regression (dementia); seizures; and liver disease.  It is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutation in the gene for the mitochondrial DNA polymerase POLG.  The disease occurs in about one in 100,000 persons.  Most individuals with Alpers' disease do not show symptoms at birth and develop normally for weeks to years before the onset of symptoms.  Diagnosis is established by testing for the POLG gene.  Symptoms typically occur months before tissue samples show the mitochondrial DNA depletion, so that these depletion studies cannot be used for early diagnosis.  About 80 percent of individuals with Alpers' disease develop symptoms in the first two years of life, and 20 percent develop symptoms between ages 2 and 25.  The first symptoms of the disorder are usually nonspecific and may include hypoglycemia secondary to underlying liver disease, failure to thrive, infection-associated encephalopathy, spasticity, myoclonus (involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles), seizures, or liver failure.  An increased protein level is seen in cerebrospinal fluid analysis.  Cortical blindness (loss of vision due to damage to the area of the cortex that controls vision) develops in about 25 percent of cases. Gastrointestinal dysfunction and cardiomyopathy may occur.  Dementia is typically episodic and often associated with an infection that occurs while another disease is in process.  Seizures may be difficult to control and unrelenting seizures can cause developmental regression as well.  "Alpers-like" disorders  without liver disease are genetically different and have a different clinical course.  Fewer than one-third of individuals with the "Alpers-like" phenotype without liver disease have POLG mutations.

Treatment

There is no cure for Alpers' disease and no way to slow its progression. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Anticonvulsants may be used to treat the seizures, but at times the seizures do not respond well to therapy, even at high doses.  Therefore, the benefit of seizure control should be weights against what could be excessive sedation from the anticonvulsant. . Valproate should not be used since it can increase the risk of liver failure. Physical therapy may help to relieve spasticity and maintain or increase muscle tone.

Prognosis

The prognosis for individuals with Alpers' disease is poor. Those with the disease usually die within their first decade of life. Continuous, unrelenting seizures often lead to death. Continuous, unrelenting seizures often lead to death.  Liver failure and cardiorespiratory failure due to brain, spinal cord, and nerve involvement may also occur.

Research

The NINDS supports research on gene-linked neurodegenerative disorders such as Alpers' disease. The goals of this research are to increase scientific understanding of these disorders, and to find ways to prevent, treat, and cure them.

Organizations

March of Dimes
Works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality through programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy.

1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
askus@marchofdimes.com
http://www.marchofdimes.com
Tel: White Plains
Fax: 914-428-8203

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

National Institutes of Health, DHHS
31 Center Drive, Rm. 9A06 MSC 2560
Bethesda, MD 20892-2560
http://www.niddk.nih.gov
Tel: Bethesda

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. Committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service.

55 Kenosia Avenue
Danbury, CT 06810
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org
Tel: Danbury
Fax: 203-798-2291

Content Provided By

logo

NINDS Disorders is an index of neurological conditions provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This valuable tool offers detailed descriptions, facts on treatment and prognosis, and patient organization contact information for over 500 identified neurological disorders.

Neurological Disorders and Stroke »