Gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina, which is often shortened to gyrate atrophy, is an inherited disorder characterized by progressive vision loss. People with this disorder have an ongoing loss of cells (atrophy) in the retina, which is the specialized light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye, and in a nearby tissue layer called the choroid. During childhood, they begin experiencing nearsightedness (myopia), difficulty seeing in low light (night blindness), and loss of side (peripheral) vision. Over time, their field of vision continues to narrow, resulting in tunnel vision. Many people with gyrate atrophy also develop clouding of the lens of the eyes (cataracts). These progressive vision changes lead to blindness by about the age of 50.

Most people with gyrate atrophy have no symptoms other than vision loss, but some have additional features of the disorder. Occasionally, newborns with gyrate atrophy develop excess ammonia in the blood (hyperammonemia), which may lead to poor feeding, vomiting, seizures, or coma. Neonatal hyperammonemia associated with gyrate atrophy generally responds quickly to treatment and does not recur after the newborn period.

Gyrate atrophy usually does not affect intelligence; however, abnormalities may be observed in brain imaging or other neurological testing. In some cases, mild to moderate intellectual disability is associated with gyrate atrophy.

Gyrate atrophy may also cause disturbances in the nerves connecting the brain and spinal cord to muscles and sensory cells (peripheral nervous system). In some people with the disorder these abnormalities lead to numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet, while in others they are detectable only by electrical testing of the nerve impulses.

In some people with gyrate atrophy, a particular type of muscle fibers (type II fibers) break down over time. While this muscle abnormality usually causes no symptoms, it may result in mild weakness.

More than 150 individuals with gyrate atrophy have been identified; approximately one third are from Finland.

Mutations in the OAT gene cause gyrate atrophy. The OAT gene provides instructions for making the enzyme ornithine aminotransferase. This enzyme is active in the energy-producing centers of cells (mitochondria), where it helps break down a molecule called ornithine. Ornithine is involved in the urea cycle, which processes excess nitrogen (in the form of ammonia) that is generated when protein is broken down by the body. In addition to its role in the urea cycle, ornithine participates in several reactions that help ensure the proper balance of protein building blocks (amino acids) in the body. This balance is important because a specific sequence of amino acids is required to build each of the many different proteins needed for the body's functions. The ornithine aminotransferase enzyme helps convert ornithine into another molecule called pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C). P5C can be converted into the amino acids glutamate and proline.

OAT gene mutations that cause gyrate atrophy result in a reduced amount of functional ornithine aminotransferase enzyme. A shortage of this enzyme impedes the conversion of ornithine into P5C. As a result, excess ornithine accumulates in the blood (hyperornithinemia), and less P5C than normal is produced. It is not clear how these changes result in the specific signs and symptoms of gyrate atrophy. Researchers have suggested that a deficiency of P5C may interfere with the function of the retina. It has also been proposed that excess ornithine may suppress the production of a molecule called creatine. Creatine is needed for many tissues in the body to store and use energy properly. It is involved in providing energy for muscle contraction, and it is also important in nervous system functioning.

Genetic Testing Information

• Genetic Testing Registry: Hyperornithinemia

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

• Gyrate atrophy of choroid and retina

Patient Support and Advocacy Resources

• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

• GYRATE ATROPHY OF CHOROID AND RETINA; GACR

Scientific Articles on PubMed

• PubMed

• Cleary MA, Dorland L, de Koning TJ, Poll-The BT, Duran M, Mandell R, Shih VE, Berger R, Olpin SE, Besley GT. Ornithine aminotransferase deficiency: diagnostic difficulties in neonatal presentation. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2005;28(5):673-9. doi: 10.1007/s10545-005-0074-1. Citation on PubMed
• Fleury M, Barbier R, Ziegler F, Mohr M, Caron O, Dollfus H, Tranchant C, Warter JM. Myopathy with tubular aggregates and gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina due to hyperornithinaemia. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2007 Jun;78(6):656-7. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2006.101386. Epub 2006 Nov 6. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
• Heinanen K, Nanto-Salonen K, Komu M, Erkintalo M, Heinonen OJ, Pulkki K, Valtonen M, Nikoskelainen E, Alanen A, Simell O. Muscle creatine phosphate in gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina with hyperornithinaemia--clues to pathogenesis. Eur J Clin Invest. 1999 May;29(5):426-31. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2362.1999.00467.x. Citation on PubMed
• Kaiser-Kupfer MI, Caruso RC, Valle D, Reed GF. Use of an arginine-restricted diet to slow progression of visual loss in patients with gyrate atrophy. Arch Ophthalmol. 2004 Jul;122(7):982-4. doi: 10.1001/archopht.122.7.982. Citation on PubMed
• Kaiser-Kupfer MI, Caruso RC, Valle D. Gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina: further experience with long-term reduction of ornithine levels in children. Arch Ophthalmol. 2002 Feb;120(2):146-53. doi: 10.1001/archopht.120.2.146. Citation on PubMed
• Mashima YG, Weleber RG, Kennaway NG, Inana G. Genotype-phenotype correlation of a pyridoxine-responsive form of gyrate atrophy. Ophthalmic Genet. 1999 Dec;20(4):219-24. doi: 10.1076/opge.20.4.219.2271. Citation on PubMed
• Mitchell GA, Brody LC, Looney J, Steel G, Suchanek M, Dowling C, Der Kaloustian V, Kaiser-Kupfer M, Valle D. An initiator codon mutation in ornithine-delta-aminotransferase causing gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina. J Clin Invest. 1988 Feb;81(2):630-3. doi: 10.1172/JCI113365. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
• Peltola KE, Jaaskelainen S, Heinonen OJ, Falck B, Nanto-Salonen K, Heinanen K, Simell O. Peripheral nervous system in gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina with hyperornithinemia. Neurology. 2002 Sep 10;59(5):735-40. doi: 10.1212/wnl.59.5.735. Citation on PubMed
• Peltola KE, Nanto-Salonen K, Heinonen OJ, Jaaskelainen S, Heinanen K, Simell O, Nikoskelainen E. Ophthalmologic heterogeneity in subjects with gyrate atrophy of choroid and retina harboring the L402P mutation of ornithine aminotransferase. Ophthalmology. 2001 Apr;108(4):721-9. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(00)00587-x. Citation on PubMed
• Santinelli R, Costagliola C, Tolone C, D'Aloia A, D'Avanzo A, Prisco F, Perrone L, del Giudice EM. Low-protein diet and progression of retinal degeneration in gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina: a twenty-six-year follow-up. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2004;27(2):187-96. doi: 10.1023/B:BOLI.0000028779.29966.05. Citation on PubMed
• Shenoi A, L N, Christopher R. Hyperornithinemia associated with gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina in a child with myopia. Indian Pediatr. 2001 Aug;38(8):914-8. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed
• Valtonen M, Nanto-Salonen K, Jaaskelainen S, Heinanen K, Alanen A, Heinonen OJ, Lundbom N, Erkintalo M, Simell O. Central nervous system involvement in gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina with hyperornithinaemia. J Inherit Metab Dis. 1999 Dec;22(8):855-66. doi: 10.1023/a:1005602405349. Citation on PubMed