PEDIATRIC NEUROTRANSMITTER DISORDERS PANEL

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DBH, DDC, GCH1, MAOA, PCBD1, PTS, QDPR, SLC18A2, SLC6A3, SPR, TH, TPH2

Overview

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers responsible for signal transmission between nerve cells. Congenital disorders in their synthesis, transport, or breakdown can lead to symptoms such as muscle hypotonia, psychomotor retardation, and epilepsy. Early diagnosis and treatment of such disorders can contribute to an improved prognosis.

 

Symptoms

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers; their task is to transmit signals from one nerve cell to another across the synaptic cleft. Congenital disorders of synthesis, transport, or degradation of neurotransmitters are rare metabolic disorders.

 

The main symptoms of a neurotransmitter disorder are

 

  • Muscle hypotonia
  • (Progressive) psychomotor retardation
  • Epilepsy
  • Ocular symptoms
  • Extrapyramidal movement disorders

 

Cause

The most important neurotransmitters include the biogenic amines: dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline, as well as serotonin. Tetrahydrobiopterin is an essential co-factor in the synthesis of biogenic amines. A number of defects in the metabolism of biogenic amines and pterins — the corresponding clinical manifestations include, for example, Segawa syndrome—can be explained by molecular genetics.

 

Treatment

The diagnosis of a defect in dopaminergic/serotonergic neurotransmission may be therapeutically relevant: early treatment can have a significant impact on the prognosis.

 

References

Brennenstuhl et al. 2019, Neuroped 50:2 / Mercimek-Mahmutoglu et al. 2015, Orphanet J of Rare Dis 10:12 / Szymanska et al. 2014 In: Pokorski M. (eds) Neurotransmitter Interactions and Cognitive Function. Adv in Exp Med and Biol, vol 837. Springer, Cham

GENES
DBH, DDC, GCH1, MAOA, PCBD1, PTS, QDPR, SLC18A2, SLC6A3, SPR, TH, TPH2
HOW CAN YOU GET TESTED?
Step 1: Visit healthcare professional
Step 2: Sample collection (blood or buccal swab)
Step 3: Sequencing performed at our accredited laboratory
Step 4: Medical report
Step 5: Genetic counselling
FAQ

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