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Natural History of Oppenheim's Dystonia (DYT1) in Israel

Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Tcipora Falik Zaccai

S. Winter Institute of Human Genetics, Bnei-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel

Samih Badarna, MD

Department of Neurology, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel

Andres M. Lozano, MD

Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital, Tornto, ON

Anthony E. Lang, MD

Division of Neurology, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON

Nir Giladi, MD

Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, ngiladi{at}tasmc.health.gov.il

The question of whether a fetus carrying the GAG deletion on the DYT1 gene responsible for Oppenheim's dystonia should be aborted is frequently raised. The objective of this study was to characterize the clinical spectrum and natural course of Oppenheim's dystonia in Israel. Thirty-three patients (19 male) with genetically confirmed Oppenheim's dystonia were evaluated. The Dystonia Rating Scale (maximum score 120) and the Disability Scale (maximum score 30) were used to score severity at the last visit. After a mean of 15.5 ± 13.8 years of symptoms, the mean Dystonia Rating Scale and Disability Scale scores were 22.7 ± 14.7 and 7.7 ± 4.3, respectively. Twenty-one patients (63.6%) have progressed into generalized dystonia. Five patients (15%) are wheelchair bound and three (9%) are using walking aids. All patients have normal cognitive function. Baclofen, trihexyphenidyl, and botulinum toxin were the drugs used. Nine patients (one patient had both) underwent neurosurgical intervention: thalamotomy for six (two bilateral) and pallidotomy for four (three bilateral). The bilateral pallidotomy provided only short-term benefit. The modern treatments combining drugs, botulinum toxin, and functional neurosurgery allow most patients with Oppenheim's dystonia to have independence and a relatively good quality of life. (J Child Neurol 2003;18:325—330).

Journal of Child Neurology, Vol. 18, No. 5, 325-330 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/08830738030180050701


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