National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, and narcolepsy



Other Names:
ADCADN; ADCA-DN; Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness and narcolepsy; ADCADN; ADCA-DN; Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness and narcolepsy; Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia-deafness-narcolepsy syndrome; ADCA-DN syndrome See More
Categories:
This disease is grouped under:

The following summary is from Orphanet, a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.
orphanet

Orpha Number: 314404

Definition
A rare polymorphic disorder, subtype of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia type 1 (ADCA type 1), characterized by ataxia, sensorineural deafness and narcolepsy with cataplexy and dementia.

Epidemiology
ADCA-DN has been reported in 24 patients to date from Sweden, the United States, Italy and Brazil.

Clinical description
Disease onset occurs in adulthood (from the ages of 30-40) with the onset of cerebellar ataxia, narcolepsy with cataplexy, sensorineural deafness and dementia. Optic atrophy, cataracts, psychosis, depression, sensory neuropathy, pseudobulbar signs, incontinence and limb lymphedema have also been reported but present later in the disease course. Mild brain atrophy with cerebellum involvement is visible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Etiology
ADCA-DN is caused by a mutation in the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT1) gene located on chromosome 19p13.2. It encodes an enzyme essential for the repression of transcriptional activity in numerous postmitotic cells.

Genetic counseling
ADCA-DN is inherited autosomal dominantly and genetic counseling is possible. Sporadic cases have also been reported.

Visit the Orphanet disease page for more resources.
Last updated: 6/1/2014

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Narcolepsy 0030050
Sensorineural hearing impairment 0000407
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Abnormality of mitochondrial metabolism 0003287
Optic atrophy 0000648
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Abnormality of the cerebral white matter 0002500
Abnormality of the cerebrospinal fluid 0002921
Ataxia 0001251
Atrophy/Degeneration affecting the brainstem 0007366
Babinski sign 0003487
Cataract
Clouding of the lens of the eye
Cloudy lens
[ more ]
0000518
Cerebellar atrophy
Degeneration of cerebellum
0001272
Cerebral atrophy
Degeneration of cerebrum
0002059
Depressivity
Depression
0000716
Dilated third ventricle 0007082
Head tremor 0002346
Hyperreflexia
Increased reflexes
0001347
Memory impairment
Forgetfulness
Memory loss
Memory problems
Poor memory
[ more ]
0002354
Mental deterioration
Cognitive decline
Cognitive decline, progressive
Intellectual deterioration
Progressive cognitive decline
[ more ]
0001268
Neuronal loss in central nervous system
Loss of brain cells
0002529
Nystagmus
Involuntary, rapid, rhythmic eye movements
0000639
Predominantly lower limb lymphedema 0003550
Primitive reflex 0002476
Pseudobulbar signs 0002200
Psychosis 0000709
Resting tremor
Tremor at rest
0002322
Sensory neuropathy
Damage to nerves that sense feeling
0000763
Spasticity
Involuntary muscle stiffness, contraction, or spasm
0001257
Urinary incontinence
Loss of bladder control
0000020
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Adult onset
Symptoms begin in adulthood
0003581
Autosomal dominant inheritance 0000006
Cataplexy 0002524
Dementia
Dementia, progressive
Progressive dementia
[ more ]
0000726
Excessive daytime sleepiness 0002189
Progressive
Worsens with time
0003676
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Last updated: 7/1/2020

Making a diagnosis for a genetic or rare disease can often be challenging. Healthcare professionals typically look at a person’s medical history, symptoms, physical exam, and laboratory test results in order to make a diagnosis. The following resources provide information relating to diagnosis and testing for this condition. If you have questions about getting a diagnosis, you should contact a healthcare professional.

Testing Resources

  • The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) provides information about the genetic tests for this condition. The intended audience for the GTR is health care providers and researchers. Patients and consumers with specific questions about a genetic test should contact a health care provider or a genetics professional.

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources


Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease


These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, and narcolepsy. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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