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Retinal ultrastructure of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis in the dalmatian dog.

Ultrastructural studies of the retinae in two NCL-affected Dalmatian dogs revealed ubiquitous accumulation of lipopigments in numerous cell types of the retina, the fine structure of which closely resembled that seen in NCL-affected English setters. Photoreceptors and other retinal cell types were largely intact. These findings show that the retinal involvement in NCL of our Dalmatian dogs is identical to that of NCL-affected English setters. It also shows that in canine NCL a severe retinopathy, regularly encountered in human childhood NCL, does not develop. Thus, the NCL of Dalmatian dogs--and English setters--represents a reliable model to study human NCL, but for human retinopathia pigmentosa perhaps only at its earliest stage.

Animals↗

Electroencephalographic features in a series of patients with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses.

We report the electroencephalographic (EEG) features of 22 patients with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) who were referred to the Neurological Institute of Milan between 1984 and 1998. The EEG data were reviewed, taking into account the different forms of NCL on the basis of age at onset, clinical features and morphological appearance. The study group included patients with infantile NCL (one case), late-infantile NCL (ten cases), juvenile NCL (seven cases) and adult NCL (four cases). We looked for the presence of homogeneous EEG features associated with these different forms, particularly in the early phases of the disease. Our data indicate that the EEG characteristics of late-infantile NCL and of the myoclonic form of adult NCL are quite distinctive, and that their particular spontaneous epileptiform anomalies and response to intermittent light stimulation can be considered relevant diagnostic clues at an early disease stage.

Child↗

N-centered hexazirconium chloride clusters: excision and redox chemistry.

The tightly cross-linked solid Zr(6)Cl(15)N yields [(Zr(6)NCl(12))Cl(6)](3-) upon heating with bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride (PPNCl), in MeCN at 90 degrees C. Purple solutions containing [(Zr(6)NCl(12))Cl(6)](3-) were obtained and characterized with (15)N NMR. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) measurements on the series of [(Zr(6)ZCl(12))Cl(6)](n-) cluster ions (Z = Be, B, C, and N) in acetonitrile reveal that these cluster ions exhibit multiple reversible redox waves at potentials that can be systematically understood, including a reversible redox wave corresponding to the [(Zr(6)NCl(12))Cl(6)](3-/4-) couple. Preparation of the reduced cluster ion, [(Zr(6)NCl(12))Cl(6)](4-), (with 15 cluster-bonding electrons) was achieved by reduction of [(Zr(6)NCl(12))Cl(6)](3-) with (C(5)(CH(3))(5))(2)Co. Several new N-centered cluster complexes: (PPN)(3)[(Zr(6)NCl(12))Cl(6)].CH(2)Cl(2), [(C(5)(CH(3))(5))(2)Co(+)](3)[(Zr(6)NCl(12))Cl(6)], and (Et(4)N)(4)[(Zr(6)NCl(12))Cl(6)].2CH(3)CN have been isolated and structurally characterized.

Journal Article↗

Batten disease in the west of Scotland 1974-1995 including five cases of the juvenile form with granular osmiophilic deposits.

We report on 12 children with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) diagnosed between 1974-1995 in the West of Scotland. Diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical, electrophysiological, radiological and pathological examination including electron microscopy (EM) in all cases. Incidence was calculated on the basis of the year of diagnosis and the live birth rate. Six cases were infantile and 6 juvenile NCL derived from a total of 10 families. No cases of late infantile or early juvenile NCL were identified. All cases were typical in clinical description. Cumulative incidence was 1.61/100,000 live births (0.87 and 0.73/100,000 live births for juvenile and infantile NCL respectively). There was significant delay in diagnosis of the juvenile form of NCL. EM findings were unusual in the juvenile group in that 5 of 6 cases exhibited granular osmiophilic deposits (GROD) rather than typical fingerprint inclusion bodies. Four of these 5 cases also failed to show vacuolation of lymphocytes. Thus, in the West of Scotland, the distribution of NCL cases by type and by EM findings is unusual, and suggests a distinct genetic variant of juvenile NCL, possibly allelic to infantile NCL.

Age of Onset↗

Pheno/genotypic correlations of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses.

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are a large group of autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorders with both enzymatic deficiency and structural protein dysfunction. Previously, diagnosis of NCL was based on age at onset and clinicopathologic (C-P) findings, classified as 1) infantile (INCL), 2) late infantile (LINCL), 3) juvenile (JNCL), and 4) adult (ANCL). Most patients with NCL have progressive ocular and cerebral dysfunction, including cognitive/motor dysfunction and uncontrolled seizures. After reviewing 319 patients with NCL, the authors found that 64 (20%) did not fit into this classification of NCL. With research progress, four additional forms have been recognized: 5) Finnish, 6) Gypsy/Indian, and 7) Turkish variants of LINCL and 8) northern epilepsy, also known as progressive epilepsy with mental retardation. These eight NCL forms resulted from 100 different mutations on genes CLN1to CLN8 causing different phenotypes (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ncl). The genes CLN1 and CLN2 encode lysosomal palmitoyl protein thioesterase and tripeptidyl peptidase 1. The function of CLN3, CLN5, and CLN8 gene-encoded products is unknown, although their predicted amino acid sequences suggest they have a transmembrane topology. The diagnosis of NCL is based on C-P findings, enzymatic assay, and molecular genetic testing. Before biochemical and genetic tests are conducted, ultrastructural studies (i.e., blood [buffy coat] or punch biopsies [skin, conjunctiva]) must be performed to confirm the presence and nature of lysosomal storage material (fingerprint or curvilinear profiles or granular osmiophilic deposits). The recognition of variable onset from infancy to middle age supersedes the traditional emphasis on age-related NCL forms.

Age of Onset↗

[Characterization of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in Venezuelan children].

INTRODUCTION: Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), represents a group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders. Based on the age of the patient at onset, clinical course and ultrastructural morphology it has been identified three clinical types for the pediatric group: 1) Infantile NCL (INCL); 2) Late infantile NCL (LINCL); and 3) Juvenile NCL (JNCL). Other variants or atypical forms represent around 20% of the NCL in different populations. Genetic advances have made possible a better characterization, diagnostic and classification of these disorders. CASE REPORTS: We present the clinical, neurophysiological, neuroradiological, and morphological data from 6 patients with NCL, who were assessed at the pediatric neurology department of the Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo during a ten years period (1993 2003). All 6 cases corresponded with the late infantile form. Age of onset ranged form 2 to 5 years. For most of the patients initial symptoms included seizures, psychomotor delay, accompanied by macular degeneration and optic atrophy. The EEG was characterized by high voltage spikes elicited by low frequency photic stimulation, in 5 cases. Neuroimaging findings were characteristic of the late infantile form of the NCL. In three patients a decreased intensity of signal was seen in the thalami and putamen on T2-weighted images. The ultrastructural examination of the samples obtained through a biopsy showed curvilinear bodies in all patients. CONCLUSION: There is not epidemiological data of the NCL in Venezuela; it is presumed the presence of clinical forms and variants in the pediatric group. This first study could contribute to the knowledge and a better research of this group of disorders in our population.

Child, Preschool↗

[Projection of the mesencephalic raphe nuclei to the magnocellular nuclei of the basal forebrain of the rat: a horseradish peroxidase study].

In 15 rats the projection of the mesencephalic raphe nuclei to the magnocellular nuclei of the basal forebrain (b.f.) were investigated by using the HRP-method. In 5 other rats the distribution of serotoninergic fibers in the b.f. was analyzed immunocytochemically. The most important results are: The projection courses ipsilaterally only. The number of labelled cells comprehends only 5-30% of the number of cells estimated in the raphe nuclei that were studied. In the Ncl. r. linearis oralis only a few cells were labelled after injection of HRP into the subnuclei of the diagonal band. More cells were labelled after injection of HRP into the more caudal lying nuclei of the b.f. In the Ncl. r. centralis superior, more labelled cells could be observed after HRP-injection into the rostral nuclei of the b.f. (Ncl. tr. diagonalis with pars septalis, pars verticalis and pars horizontalis; Ncl. praeopticus magnocellularis) than after injection into the caudal nuclei. The labelled cells were of all the types described in the literature. In the Ncl. r. dorsalis, most of the labelled cells were observed in the medial part of this nucleus. In the lateral part there were only a few labelled cells. After injection of HRP into the caudal nuclei of the b.f. (Subst. innominata, medial and ventral boundary of the Gl. pallidus) more cells were labelled than after injection into the more rostral nuclei of the b.f. Of the cell types of the Ncl. r. dorsalis, the medium-sized and large multipolar types and the medium-sized fusiform cells were most frequent labelled. The Ncl. r. centralis superior tended to project more to the rostral nuclei, and the Ncl. r. dorsalis more to the caudal nuclei of the magnocellular b.f. The serotinergic fibers appeared more or less loosely distributed in the nuclei of the b.f. We could not differentiate between subtypes of the serotoninergic axons.

Animals↗

Afferent and efferent connections of the caudolateral neostriatum in the pigeon (Columba livia): a retro- and anterograde pathway tracing study.

The avian caudolateral neostriatum (NCL) was first identified on the basis of its dense dopaminergic innervation. This fact and data from lesion studies have led to the notion that NCL might be the avian equivalent of prefrontal cortex (PFC). A key feature of the PFC is the ability to integrate information from all modalities needed for the generation of motor plans. By using antero- and retrograde pathway tracing techniques, we investigated the organization of sensory afferents to the NCL and the connections with limbic and somatomotor centers in the basal ganglia and archistriatum. Data from all tracing experiments were compared with the distribution of tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive fibers, serving as a marker of dopaminergic innervation. The results show that NCL is reciprocally connected with the secondary sensory areas of all modalities and with at least two parasensory areas. Retrograde tracing also demonstrated further afferents from the deep layers of the Wulst and from the frontolateral neostriatum as well as the sources of thalamic input. Efferents of NCL project onto parts of the avian basal ganglia considered to serve somatomotor or limbic functions. Projections to the archistriatum are mainly directed to the somatomotor part of the intermediate archistriatum. In addition, cells in caudal NCL were found to be connected with the ventral and posterior archistriatum, which are considered avian equivalents of mammalian amygdala. All afferents and projection neurons were confined to the plexus of densest TH innervation. Our results show that the NCL is positioned to amalgamate information from all modalities and to exert control over limbic and somatomotor areas. This organization might comprise the neural basis for such complex behaviours as working memory or spatial orientation.

Afferent Pathways↗

Morphological studies in canine (Dalmatian) neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis.

Dalmatian dogs may develop a neuronal or generalized ceroid-lipofuscinosis (NCL) which strongly resembles that seen in English setters, especially as to the ultrastructural changes and ubiquity of the stored lipopigments and the retinal pathology, while differing clinically from the disorder of English setters in that the disease has a longer course of up to 5 or 6 yr. Clinical onset is at about age 6 months; however, an unequivocal morphological diagnosis is possible between the 4th and 5th month of life in biopsied skin. Detailed data of additional investigations are in progress and are awaiting later publication. Thus, NCL in the Dalmatian dog, though not yet as thoroughly investigated as NCL of the English setter, may provide another useful model for human NCL. Whether future biochemical studies will provide further similarities or even dissimilarities to NCL in English setters and in man remains to be seen. The cause of NCL in the canine and in humans is homozygosity of an autosomal recessive gene; however, the pathogenesis of the NCL in Dalmatian dogs is unknown as it is in English setters, other canine species, non-canine species, and in humans.

Animals↗

Dolichol and dolichyl phosphate in the neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses and other diseases.

Although, compared to age-matched control samples, nonphosphorylated dolichols are significantly increased in the cerebral cortex of children with the late infantile and juvenile types of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (NCL), dolichyl phosphates are increased to a much greater extent in infantile, late infantile, and juvenile forms of this disease group. Dolichyl phosphates in the cerebral cortex, expressed as a percentage of the combined nonphosphorylated and phosphorylated compounds, ranged from 59 to 85 (mean 71) in NCL, whereas in the non-NCL disease group the range is 18-36 (mean 25). This marked proportional increase in dolichyl phosphates is not unique to NCL but is also found in the brain of GM1-gangliosidosis and Tay-Sachs disease patients. In the liver from NCL patients, dolichyl phosphates are not a major proportion of the total dolichol compounds (1-9%). However, in the kidney and heart, dolichyl phosphates are again markedly increased, and this is associated with large storage of ceroid. Although to a lesser extent than in NCL, dolichols and dolichyl phosphates are significantly increased over levels in age-matched control samples in the temporal cortex in Alzheimer disease. Our interpretation of these results is that storage in secondary in secondary lysosomes in NCL and the gangliosidoses leads to a decrease in the catabolism of dolichyl phosphate compounds in the Golgi saccules or primary lysosomes.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Variability in the clinical and pathological findings in the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses: review of data and observations.

We reviewed the clinical and pathological data on 319 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) cases to determine the degree of variability within the different forms and among and within families. Thirty-six cases (11.3%) were the infantile form; 116 cases (36.3%), late infantile; 163 cases (51.1%), juvenile; and four cases (1.3%), the adult form (Kufs disease). Clinical variability was found in all forms studied, but was most striking in the juvenile and late infantile forms of NCL. The expected initial findings of seizures, dementia, blindness, or motor impairment were evident in 255 cases (80%), and rarer, less typical initial neurological symptoms were seen mainly in the 64 cases (20%) of the juvenile form: behavior abnormalities (18/64), psychoses (12/64), neuropathy (2/64), involuntary movements (15/64), ataxia (9/64). Six juvenile and two adult cases had no detectable impairment of vision. All 319 NCL cases had skin or conjunctive biopsies or buffy coats that showed the characteristic ultrastructural abnormalities of NCL. Variability was evident in 16.7% in that a combination of fingerprint, curvilinear, and membranous profile inclusion bodies was observed in storage lysosomes, although one type of inclusion was distinctly predominant for each form. Postmortem examination of brains of 19 NCL cases (three with the infantile form, six with the late infantile form, nine with the juvenile form, and one with the adult form) revealed characteristic changes. Sixteen of the 19 NCL brains (84%) showed pathological variability in that they contained more than one kind of characteristic inclusion body in the neuronal lysosomal storage compartment. In all 19 NCL brains, small amounts of aging lipofuscin were also found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor↗

Altered protein patterns in brains of children with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are a group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases characterized by massive intralysosomal accumulation of storage materials. We have studied the protein patterns in 5 NCL, 5 control, and one Alzheimer disease brains. When protein patterns in NCL and control brain gray matter homogenates were examined by SDS-PAGE, NCL brains showed an absence or greatly reduced amounts of the Mr 160-180 kDa component and reduced amounts of the Mr 29-36 kDa component. Concomitantly, an increase in several components with Mrs of 45-50 kDa was noted. The 180 kDa polypeptide appears to be a glycoprotein because it was bound to the lectins concanavalin A and Ulex europaeus. Recently, the abnormal processing of amyloid protein precursor (APP) and its potential role in NCL have been suggested. Possible defects in tissue proteases and protease inhibitors may be considered responsible for the presence of these amyloid beta protein precursor fragments. To examine this possibility we are using polyclonal antibodies to the C terminal 672-695 (APP) and monoclonal antibodies to inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor. Polypeptides with molecular weights of approximately 35-38 kDa were detected in the NCL brain, but not in controls in both cases. These findings suggest abnormal protein processing in NCL brain tissue, disturbances in protein and glycoconjugate metabolism, impaired lysosomal function (i.e., metabolic enzyme and/or proteases/proteinase inhibitor abnormalities), and the involvement of improperly processed APP.

Adolescent↗

Retina in various animal models of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis.

The childhood forms of human neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (NCL) are invariably associated with a severe progressive retinopathy which commences at the photoreceptor level morphologically and proceeds to a final loss of neuronal cells accompanied by severe gliosis. In respective spontaneous animal conditions of NCL, in English setters, Dalmatian dogs, and New Zealand sheep, retinal involvement is not commensurate although the retina does not seem to be completely unaffected. In canine NCL, there might be functional and electro-physiological impairment of retinal cells, but retinal atrophy is not obvious. In ovine NCL, the retina, apart from accumulating NCL-specific lipopigments within neuronal perikarya, also shows loss of photoreceptors. Conversely, retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) in canine and ovine NCL contain peculiar lamellar inclusions, not seen in unaffected animals, possibly an indication of a disturbed phagocytic process of photoreceptor outer segments. Similar such lamellar inclusions have not been observed in RPE cells in human childhood NCL.

Animals↗

Linkage analysis of late-infantile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis.

The neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCL) are a group of neurodegenerative disorders with an autosomal-recessive pattern of inheritance. There are 3 main categories of childhood NCL, namely, infantile, late-infantile, and juvenile NCL. These can be distinguished on the basis of age of onset, clinical course, and histopathology. A number of variant forms of NCL have also been described, and these show symptoms intermediary between the main classical forms. The genes for both the infantile and juvenile forms of NCL have previously been mapped to chromosome areas 1p32 and 16p12, respectively. The gene for late-infantile NCL (LINCL), CLN2, has been excluded from both these loci, but its location is as yet unknown. Recently, CLN5, the gene for the Finnish variant form of LINCL, was mapped to 13q21.1-32. Using the 3 microsatellite markers which were most tightly linked to CLN5, we have excluded CLN2 from this region using a subset of 17 families. Thus, CLN2 represents a fourth distinct genetic locus involved in the pathogenesis of NCL.

Age of Onset↗

Progress in neuropathology of the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses.

Since the last, 6th, International Congress on Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinoses, neuropathological advances in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) have been made in several areas: (1) In adult NCL (ANCL) lipopigments have now been repeatedly confirmed to contain subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase and even sphingolipid activators (saposins). ANCL lipopigments have also been confirmed in extracerebral tissues including skin, skeletal muscle, and spleen, but not yet lymphocytes (2). Among circulating blood cells not only B cells and subclasses of T lymphocytes, i.e., CD4(+), CD8(+), and CD56 cells, but also monocytes have been found to contain NCL lipopigments, indicating that this precursor cell in the digesting macrophage system also has an impaired metabolic catabolism for lipopigments (3). Immunohistochemical studies indicate that microglial reaction in NCL brain is limited to resident microglia without contribution by circulating monocytes (4). The granular osmiophilic deposit (GROD) type of NCL has now been established not only in infantile, but also in late-infantile, juvenile, and protracted-juvenile NCL (5). A European Tissue Registry established within the framework of a European Concerted Action on Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinosis may form the basis for additional collaborative studies on NCL, including both biopsy and autopsy tissues.

Brain↗

Follow-up study of subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase (SCMAS) in Batten disease and in unrelated lysosomal disorders.

Immunohistochemical and biochemical studies of subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase (SCMAS) storage were carried out in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) and in a series of unrelated inherited and acquired lysosomal disorders. In the NCL group, represented by the late infantile, early juvenile and juvenile types, SCMAS storage was generalized neurovisceral, with considerable difference in the visceral storage pattern between the types. In late infantile NCL the SCMAS storage was intensive and corresponded to the generalized, autofluorescent, uniformly curvilinear material, irrespective of the cell type affected. In both early juvenile and juvenile NCLs the SCMAS storage was strong and almost uniform in brain neurons, but did not correlate entirely with the visceral autofluorescent storage pool, being undetectable in autofluorescent storage deposits in a constant set of tissues. In the adult (Kufs) type, the brain neurons were stained with various intensity. In infantile NCL, SCMAS storage was restricted to some of the persisting neurons. In a series of inherited lysosomal enzymopathies and acquired lysosomal disorders, excessive SCMAS accumulation was found only in secondary neuronal lipopigments. It occurred as an early and more uniform phenomenon in mucopolysaccharidosis types I, II, IIIA and in polysulphatase deficiency, or as a delayed varied phenomenon in protracted variants of mucolipidosis I, Niemann-Pick types A and C, and GM2 and GM1 gangliosidoses. Neuronal ageing led to an irregular increase in immunodetectable SCMAS epitope in some neuronal lipofuscin granules. There was no evidence of significant SCMAS lysosomal accumulation in non-neural cells in the whole group, regardless of whether lipofuscin or ceroid accumulation occurred or not. The neuronal SCMAS storage is thus nosologically a common unspecific phenomenon, which is especially amplified in NCL. The specificity of the NCL storage process is shown by the fact that even lysosomes of non-neuronal cells in NCL accumulate SCMAS.

Adolescent↗

Protein content and amino-acid content of consolidated carious lesions in human enamel and of experimental lesions in bovine enamel exposed to the human mouth.

Consolidation is a natural defence reaction that results in arrest of enamel caries. Experimental consolidated lesions (ECL) were compared with naturally-consolidated lesions (NCL): ECL were obtained by exposing pre-softened, bovine-enamel slabs to the oral environment in 3 subjects for 2 h, 24 h or 7 days, and NCL were sampled from extracted human teeth with white or yellow spots of arrested caries. Protein content of ECL from 2 subjects were similar to each other and to that of NCL throughout the experimental period. The ECL of the other subject showed a gradual increase in protein content with significantly higher values at day 7. The predominant amino acids in ECL were glutamic acid, proline and alanine, and in NCL, glutamic acid, glycine and alanine. The amino-acid composition of the 7-day ECL was closer to that of NCL than were that of the 2 and 24 h ECL. Intra-oral ageing caused significant reductions in proline and glycine and pronounced increases in aspartic acid, threonine, alanine and leucine. Thus the adsorbed or incorporated organic material in the ECL changed from having components dissimilar to NCL to ones similar to NCL. This intra-oral model might be useful for studies of the organic material incorporated into enamel during the process of consolidation.

Amino Acids↗

Telencephalic afferents to the caudolateral neostriatum of the pigeon.

The pigeon caudolateral neostriatum (NCL) shares a dopaminergic innervation with mammalian frontal cortical areas and is implicated in the regulation of avian cognitive behavior. Retrograde tracing methods were used to identify forebrain projections to NCL and to suggest a possible role of this area in mediating spatial behavior. NCL receives telencephalic projections from the hyperstriatum accessorium, cells along the border of hyperstriatum dorsale and hyperstriatum ventrale, anterolateral hyperstriatum adjacent to the vallecula, confined cell groups within the anterior neostriatum, and subdivisions of the archistriatum. In addition, labeling of a small number of large cells near the fasciculus prosencephali lateralis was observed at the level of the anterior commissure. In accordance with previous studies, projections of subtelencephalic areas were revealed to originate from the thalamic posterior dorsolateral nucleus and nucleus subrotundus, as well as from the tegmental nucleus pedunculopontinus and locus coeruleus. Forebrain connections of NCL show that somatosensory, visual, and olfactory information can combine in this division of the neostriatum. NCL is therefore suited to participate in a neural circuit that regulates spatial behavior. Moreover, the present study reveals that NCL is reached by a limbic projection from the nucleus taeniae. This projection also suggests similarity between NCL and mammalian frontal cortical areas.

Afferent Pathways↗