Cited by 235Metabolism and Genetic DisordersLysosomal Storage Disorders ResearchHereditary Neurological Disorders

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy in women: A cross-sectional cohort study

Engelen, Marc, Barbier, Mathieu, Dijkstra, Inge M. E., Schür, Remmelt, de Bie, Rob M. A., Verhamme, Camiel, Dijkgraaf, Marcel G. W., Aubourg, Patrick A. +5 more·2014·Brain

Abstract

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is the most common peroxisomal disorder. The disease is caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene that encodes the peroxisomal transporter of very long-chain fatty acids. A defect in the ABCD1 protein results in elevated levels of very long-chain fatty acids in plasma and tissues. The clinical spectrum in males with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy has been well described and ranges from isolated adrenocortical insufficiency and slowly progressive myelopathy to devastating cerebral demyelination. As in many X-linked diseases, it was assumed that female carriers remain asymptomatic and only a few studies addressed the phenotype of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy carriers. These studies, however, provided no information on the prevalence of neurological symptoms in the entire population of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy carriers, since data were acquired in small groups and may be biased towards women with symptoms. Our primary goal was to investigate the symptoms and their frequency in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy carriers. The secondary goal was to determine if the X-inactivation pattern of the ABCD1 gene was associated with symptomatic status. We included 46 X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy carriers in a prospective cross-sectional cohort study. Our data show that X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy carriers develop signs and symptoms of myelopathy (29/46, 63%) and/or peripheral neuropathy (26/46, 57%). Especially striking was the occurrence of faecal incontinence (13/46, 28%). The frequency of symptomatic women increased sharply with age (from 18% in women <40 years to 88% in women >60 years of age). Virtually all (44/45, 98%) X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy carriers had increased very long-chain fatty acids in plasma and/or fibroblasts, and/or decreased very long-chain fatty acids beta-oxidation in fibroblasts. We did not find an association between the X-inactivation pattern and symptomatic status. We conclude that X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy carriers develop an adrenomyeloneuropathy-like phenotype and there is a strong association between symptomatic status and age. X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy should be considered in the differential diagnosis in women with chronic myelopathy and/or peripheral neuropathy (especially with early faecal incontinence). ABCD1 mutation analysis deserves a place in diagnostic protocols for chronic non-compressive myelopathy.

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Crossref · 10.1093/brain/awt361

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Authors
Engelen, M., Barbier, M., Dijkstra, I. M. E., Schür, R., de Bie, R. M. A., Verhamme, C., Dijkgraaf, M. G. W., Aubourg, P. A., Wanders, R. J. A., van Geel, B. M., de Visser, M., Poll–The, B. T., & Kemp, S.
Affiliations
  • Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (NL)
  • Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (FR)
Venue
Brain
Published
2014-01-29
Volume
137
Issue
3
Pages
693-706
ISSN
  • 0006-8950 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2156
OpenAlex
W2150643970
Cited by
234
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 11
FWCI
11.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Brain (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Clinical Biochemistry › Metabolism and Genetic Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Lysosomal Storage Disorders Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Hereditary Neurological Disorders
Keywords
female carriers, ABCD1 gene, peroxisomal disorders, very long chain fatty acids, adrenomyeloneuropathy, myelopathy, peripheral neuropathy, fecal incontinence, X chromosome inactivation, peroxisomal beta-oxidation, differential diagnosis
MeSH terms
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D, Member 1, Adrenoleukodystrophy, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Evoked Potentials, Female, Heterozygote, Humans, Middle Aged, Peripheral Nervous System Diseases, Prospective Studies, Spinal Cord Diseases, Cohort Studies, ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters, X Chromosome Inactivation, Young Adult

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