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Description
Spastic paraplegia type 4 (also known as SPG4) is the most common of a group of genetic disorders known as hereditary spastic paraplegias. These disorders are characterized by progressive muscle stiffness (spasticity) in the legs and difficulty walking. Hereditary spastic paraplegias are divided into two types: pure and complex. The pure types generally involve only spasticity of the lower limbs and walking difficulties. The complex types involve more widespread problems with the nervous system; the structure or functioning of the brain; and the nerves connecting the brain and spinal cord to muscles and sensory cells that detect sensations such as touch, pain, heat, and sound (the peripheral nervous system). In complex forms, there can also be features outside of the nervous system. Spastic paraplegia type 4 is usually a pure hereditary spastic paraplegia, although a few complex cases have been reported.
Like all hereditary spastic paraplegias, spastic paraplegia type 4 involves spasticity of the leg muscles and muscle weakness. People with this condition can also experience exaggerated reflexes (hyperreflexia), ankle spasms, high-arched feet (pes cavus), and reduced bladder control. Spastic paraplegia type 4 generally affects nerve and muscle function in the lower half of the body only.
Frequency
The prevalence of spastic paraplegia type 4 is estimated to be 2 to 6 in 100,000 people worldwide.
Causes
Mutations in the SPAST gene cause spastic paraplegia type 4. The SPAST gene provides instructions for producing a protein called spastin. Spastin is found throughout the body, particularly in certain nerve cells (neurons). The spastin protein plays a role in the function of microtubules, which are rigid, hollow fibers that make up the cell's structural framework (the cytoskeleton). Microtubules are also involved in transporting cell components and facilitating cell division. Spastin likely helps restrict microtubule length and disassemble microtubule structures when they are no longer needed. Mutations in spastin impair the microtubules' ability to transport cell compartments (organelles), especially in nerve cells; researchers believe this contributes to the major signs and symptoms of spastic paraplegia type 4.
Inheritance
This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder.
In most cases, an affected person inherits the mutation from one affected parent. The remaining cases may result from new mutations in the gene. These cases occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family.
Other Names for This Condition
- Spastic paraplegia 4
- SPG4
Additional Information & Resources
Genetic Testing Information
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
Patient Support and Advocacy Resources
Clinical Trials
Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM
Scientific Articles on PubMed
References
- Blackstone C. Hereditary spastic paraplegia. Handb Clin Neurol. 2018;148:633-652. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-64076-5.00041-7. Citation on PubMed
- Depienne C, Fedirko E, Forlani S, Cazeneuve C, Ribai P, Feki I, Tallaksen C, Nguyen K, Stankoff B, Ruberg M, Stevanin G, Durr A, Brice A. Exon deletions of SPG4 are a frequent cause of hereditary spastic paraplegia. J Med Genet. 2007 Apr;44(4):281-4. doi: 10.1136/jmg.2006.046425. Epub 2006 Nov 10. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- McDermott CJ, Burness CE, Kirby J, Cox LE, Rao DG, Hewamadduma C, Sharrack B, Hadjivassiliou M, Chinnery PF, Dalton A, Shaw PJ; UK and Irish HSP Consortium. Clinical features of hereditary spastic paraplegia due to spastin mutation. Neurology. 2006 Jul 11;67(1):45-51. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000223315.62404.00. Erratum In: Neurology. 2009 Apr 28;72(17):1534. Citation on PubMed
- Rattay TW, Boldt A, Volker M, Wiethoff S, Hengel H, Schule R, Schols L. Non-motor symptoms are relevant and possibly treatable in hereditary spastic paraplegia type 4 (SPG4). J Neurol. 2020 Feb;267(2):369-379. doi: 10.1007/s00415-019-09573-w. Epub 2019 Oct 23. Citation on PubMed
- Roll-Mecak A, Vale RD. Structural basis of microtubule severing by the hereditary spastic paraplegia protein spastin. Nature. 2008 Jan 17;451(7176):363-7. doi: 10.1038/nature06482. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Solowska JM, Baas PW. Hereditary spastic paraplegia SPG4: what is known and not known about the disease. Brain. 2015 Sep;138(Pt 9):2471-84. doi: 10.1093/brain/awv178. Epub 2015 Jun 20. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
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