We here review the current knowledge and recent findings in the known genes for isolated dystonia TOR1A, THAP1, and GNAL as well as for the combined dystonias due to mutations in GCH1, ATP1A3, and SGCE.
Recently, the gene for dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD), an autosomal dominant dystonia showing similarly marked response to levodopa, has been mapped to chromosome 14q.
Hereditary Progressive Dystonia with marked diurnal fluctuation (HPD) is an autosomally dominantly inherited dystonia which is characterized by marked diurnal fluctuation of symptoms and by marked and sustained response to levodopa associated with mutations in guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase (GCH-1) deficiency gene.
Dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD), also known as Segawa syndrome or hereditary progressive dystonia with diurnal fluctuation, is clinically characterized by the occurrence of simultaneous or late Parkinsonism and by an excellent response to treatment with low doses of L-dopa.
We summarize recently discovered genes and loci, including the 1) detection of two primary dystonia genes (DYT6, DYT16), 2) identification of the DYT17 locus, 3) association of a dystonia/dyskinesia phenotype with a gene previously linked to GLUT1 (glucose transporter of the blood-brain barrier) deficiency syndrome (DYT18), 4) designation of paroxysmal kinesigenic and nonkinesigenic dyskinesia as DYT19 and DYT20, and 5) redefinition of DYT14 as DYT5.
Mutations in the phospholipid remodeling gene SERAC1 impair mitochondrial function and intracellular cholesterol trafficking and cause dystonia and deafness.
To evaluate the contribution of these genetic loci to other families with familial "non-DYT1" dystonia five large families with dystonia were studied using genetic markers spanning the DYT6 and DYT7 regions.