Severe upper airway dysfunction in GNAO1-related disorders.


Por: Bernardi, K, Ortigoza-Escobar JD, Domínguez-Carral J, Espinoza-Quinteros, I, Mendo, LD, Koy, A and Thiel, M

Publicada: 28 oct 2025 Ahead of Print: 28 oct 2025
Resumen:
BACKGROUND: GNAO1-related disorders (GNAO1-RD) encompass a wide phenotypic spectrum, including muscular hypotonia, movement disorders (MD), epilepsy, developmental delay, and intellectual disability. MD often presents with dystonia and choreoathetosis, and dyskinetic crises can lead to life-threatening conditions. Despite increasing reports, limited information exists on the impact of upper airway dysfunction in GNAO1-RD patients. This study examines the implications of muscular hypotonia on upper airway function and subsequent clinical outcomes. METHODS: This study includes four patients, three from the GNAO1 registry in Germany, with data collected from medical records including neurological examinations, EEG recordings, genetics, imaging studies, and video documentation of dyskinetic movements and respiratory symptoms. Treatment interventions and clinical outcomes were documented. RESULTS: The study involved four patients (three males and one female) aged between 15 months and 12 years, all of whom were within the severe spectrum of GNAO1-RD. All patients exhibited severe hypotonia and hyperkinetic MD, leading to recurrent dyskinetic crises. Respiratory complications included an inspiratory stridor and airway obstructions. All patients died at young age (2.4, 2.8, 7.8 and 12 years) due to respiratory complications. Despite interventions such as DBS and tracheostomy, clinical outcomes remained poor. CONCLUSIONS: Upper airway dysfunction significantly contributes to the high morbidity and mortality in GNAO1-RD patients. Current therapeutic options are limited; while DBS can be life-saving during acute crises, it does not address swallowing or airway dysfunction effectively. Multimodal approaches and larger, multicenter trials are needed to improve outcomes for these patients.

Filiaciones:
Bernardi, K:
 Univ Cologne, Fac Med, Dept Pediat, Cologne, Germany

 Univ Cologne, Univ Hosp Cologne, Cologne, Germany

 Sapienza Univ, Dept Human Neurosci, Rome, Italy

Ortigoza-Escobar JD:
 Inst Salud Carlos III, Biomed Network Res Ctr Rare Dis CIBERER, Madrid, Spain

 European Reference Network Rare Neurol Dis ERN RND, Barcelona, Spain

 Inst Recerca St Joan Deu, Dept Child Neurol, Movement Disorders Unit, Barcelona, Spain

Domínguez-Carral J:
 Inst Recerca St Joan Deu, Dept Child Neurol, Epilepsy Unit, Barcelona, Spain

Espinoza-Quinteros, I:
 Univ Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Dept Pediat, Pediat Neurol Unit, Lima, Peru

Mendo, LD:
 Univ Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Dept Pediat, Pediat Neurol Unit, Lima, Peru

Koy, A:
 Univ Cologne, Fac Med, Dept Pediat, Cologne, Germany

 Univ Cologne, Univ Hosp Cologne, Cologne, Germany

 Univ Cologne, Fac Med, Ctr Rare Dis, Cologne, Germany

Thiel, M:
 Univ Cologne, Fac Med, Dept Pediat, Cologne, Germany

 Univ Cologne, Univ Hosp Cologne, Cologne, Germany
ISSN: 17208424





Italian Journal of Pediatrics
Editorial
BMC, CAMPUS, 4 CRINAN ST, LONDON N1 9XW, ENGLAND, Reino Unido
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 51 Número: 1
Páginas: 296-296
WOS Id: 001602660800001
ID de PubMed: 41153036
imagen Green Submitted, gold

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