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© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Simple Summary

This review provides a general overview of neurological genetic disorders that can emerge in adulthood. The goal is not to present an exhaustive list of adult-onset neurogenetic disorders, but instead to present a framework to help physicians recognize patterns of neurological disease that suggest a genetic cause. We discuss broad categories of neurological disease and the most common genetic etiologies in each category. We review common diagnostic approaches and pitfalls of current strategies. Whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing are emerging as more comprehensive tests for genetic disease, but it is still not clear how they should be applied to adult patients with complex neurological disease. This review highlights the need for more research to understand the diagnostic utility of genetic testing strategies and for increased collaboration between neurologists and geneticists.

Abstract

Neurogenetic diseases affect individuals across the lifespan, but accurate diagnosis remains elusive for many patients. Adults with neurogenetic disorders often undergo a long diagnostic odyssey, with multiple specialist evaluations and countless investigations without a satisfactory diagnostic outcome. Reasons for these diagnostic challenges include: (1) clinical features of neurogenetic syndromes are diverse and under-recognized, particularly those of adult-onset, (2) neurogenetic syndromes may manifest with symptoms that span multiple neurological and medical subspecialties, and (3) a positive family history may not be present or readily apparent. Furthermore, there is a large gap in the understanding of how to apply genetic diagnostic tools in adult patients, as most of the published literature focuses on the pediatric population. Despite these challenges, accurate genetic diagnosis is imperative to provide affected individuals and their families guidance on prognosis, recurrence risk, and, for an increasing number of disorders, offer targeted treatment. Here, we provide a framework for recognizing adult neurogenetic syndromes, describe the current diagnostic approach, and highlight studies using next-generation sequencing in different neurological disease cohorts. We also discuss diagnostic pitfalls, barriers to achieving a definitive diagnosis, and emerging technology that may increase the diagnostic yield of testing.

Details

Title
The Diagnostic Landscape of Adult Neurogenetic Disorders
Author
Waung, Maggie W 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Ma, Fion 2 ; Wheeler, Allison G 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Zai, Clement C 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; So, Joyce 5   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Division of General Neurology, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA 
 Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA 
 Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA 
 Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics, Molecular Brain Science, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Science, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada 
 Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA 
First page
1459
Publication year
2023
Publication date
2023
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20797737
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2904643502
Copyright
© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.