Stefan Winblad

Temperament and character in patients with classical myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM-1)

This study was designed to investigate personality in classical Myotonic Dystrophy (DM-1). Forty-six patients with DM-1 (25 women and 21 men), 31 healthy controls and 37 subjects in a contrast group, consisting of patients with other muscle disorders (spinal muscular atrophy, facioscapulohumeral dystrophy and limb girdle muscular dystrophy), completed the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) (Cloninger, 1994). We aimed to establish whether CTG triplet repeat size correlated with ratings of personality dimensions in the TCI. The DM-1 patients scored significantly higher on the TCI dimension Harm avoidance and lower on Persistence, Self-directedness and Cooperativeness. Signs of a personality disorder were found in 20% of the DM-1 patients. No correlation was found between the number of CTG repeats and scores in the TCI. This study indicates deviant personality in classical DM-1 regarding temperament and character, both in comparison to healthy controls and to patients with other muscle disorders with no known brain disorder.

Cognitive deficits and CTG repeat expansion size in classical myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1)

BackgroundThis study was designed to investigate cognitive abilities and their correlations with CTG repeat expansion size in classical Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), given that earlier studies have indicated cognitive deficits, possibly correlating with blood CTG repeats expansion size.MethodsA measurement of CTG repeat expansion in lymphocytes and an extensive neuropsychological examination was made in 47 patients (25 women and 22 men). Individual results in the examination were compared with normative data.ResultsA substantial proportion of patients with DM1 (> 40%) scored worse in comparison to normative collectives on tests measuring executive, arithmetic, attention, speed and visuospatial abilities. We found significant correlations between longer CTG repeat expansion size and lower results on most tests associated with these abilities. Furthermore, the association between executive (frontal) deficits and DM1 were strengthened when considering both test results and correlations with CTG repeat expansion size in lymphocytes.ConclusionThis study showed deficits in several cognitive abilities when patients with DM1 are compared to normative collectives. Some of the neuropsychological tests associated with these abilities are correlated to CTG repeat expansion size in blood. These data highlight the importance of considering cognitive deficits when seeing patients with classical DM1 in clinical practice, but also the utility of using blood CTG repeat expansion size as a broad predictor of finding cognitive deficit in DM1.

Facial emotion recognition in myotonic dystrophy type 1 correlates with CTG repeat expansion

Objective: To investigate the ability of patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 to recognise basic facial emotions. We also explored the relationship between facial emotion recognition, neuropsychological data, personality, and CTG repeat expansion data in the DM-1 group. Methods: In total, 50 patients with DM-1 (28 women and 22 men) participated, with 41 healthy controls. Recognition of facial emotional expressions was assessed using photographs of basic emotions. A set of tests measured cognition and personality dimensions, and CTG repeat size was quantified in blood lymphocytes. Results: Patients with DM-1 showed impaired recognition of facial emotions compared with controls. A significant negative correlation was found between total score of emotion recognition in a forced choice task and CTG repeat size. Furthermore, specific cognitive functions (vocabulary, visuospatial construction ability, and speed) and personality dimensions (reward dependence and cooperativeness) correlated with scores on the forced choice emotion recognition task. Conclusion: These findings revealed a CTG repeat dependent facial emotion recognition deficit in the DM-1 group, which was associated with specific neuropsychological functions. Furthermore, a correlation was found between facial emotional recognition ability and personality dimensions associated with sociability. This adds a new clinically relevant dimension in the cognitive deficits associated with DM-1.

Depression in Myotonic Dystrophy type 1: clinical and neuronal correlates

BackgroundThis study was designed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of depression in Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1).MethodsThirty-one patients with DM1 and 47 subjects in a clinical contrast group, consisting of other neuromuscular disorders, including Spinal muscular atrophy, Limb girdle muscle atrophy and Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, completed Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). We aimed to establish whether different factors associated with DM1 correlated with ratings in the BDI.ResultsSigns of a clinical depression were prevalent in 32% of the patients with DM1, which was comparable with ratings in the clinical contrast group. The depressive condition was mild to moderate in both groups. In DM1, a longer duration of clinical symptoms was associated with lower scores on the BDI and higher educational levels were correlated with higher scores on depression. We also found a negative association with brain white matter lesions.ConclusionsFindings indicate significantly more DM1 patients than normative collectives showing signs of a clinical depression. The depressive condition is however mild to moderate and data indicate that the need for intervention is at hand preferentially early during the disease process.

Cognition in myotonic dystrophy type 1: a 5-year follow-up study

Studies on cognitive decline in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) are characterized by conflicting results. The purpose of the present study was to analyse possible decline in classical/adult onset DM1 at a 5‐year follow‐up and to explore the correlation with disease‐related and demographic factors.

Cerebrospinal fluid tau and amyloid β42 protein in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1

Background:  Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is associated with brain morphology changes including neurofibrillary degeneration.

Clinically isolated syndromes with no further disease activity suggestive of multiple sclerosis at the age of population life expectancy

The proportion of patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) reported to convert to clinically definite multiple sclerosis varied between 30 and 75%. We studied the lifetime probability of remaining in the “CIS only” condition. The study was based on the longitudinally followed Gothenburg 1950–1964 incidence cohort (n = 306). Survival analysis revealed that 17.8% of 236 attack onset patients remained “CIS only”. Patients with afferent (optic and sensory) symptoms had a better prognosis with approximately 30% of these patients remaining “CIS only”. Patients who had experienced no relapse during the first 25 years remained “CIS only” for the subsequent 25 years of follow-up.

Consensus-based care recommendations for adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1

Purpose of review Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a severe, progressive genetic disease that affects between 1 in 3,000 and 8,000 individuals globally. No evidence-based guideline exists to inform the care of these patients, and most do not have access to multidisciplinary care centers staffed by experienced professionals, creating a clinical care deficit. Recent findings The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) recruited 66 international clinicians experienced in DM1 patient care to develop consensus-based care recommendations. MDF created a 2-step methodology for the project using elements of the Single Text Procedure and the Nominal Group Technique. The process generated a 4-page Quick Reference Guide and a comprehensive, 55-page document that provides clinical care recommendations for 19 discrete body systems and/or care considerations. Summary The resulting recommendations are intended to help standardize and elevate care for this patient population and reduce variability in clinical trial and study environments.