title: Alexander disease: new insights from genetics.
abstract: Prior to finding that GFAP mutations underlie many cases of Alexander disease, it was unclear whether the disease originated in astrocytes or if the formation of Rosenthal fibers was a response to an external insult. It was also unclear whether the etiology of the disease was environmental or genetic. For many cases of Alexander disease, these questions have now been answered. An immediate clinical benefit of this discovery is the possibility of diagnosing most cases of Alexander disease through analysis of patient DNA samples, rather than resorting to brain biopsy. In addition, fetal testing is now an option for parents who have had an Alexander disease child with an identified mutation and who wish to have additional children. For the future, these mutations should provide a unique window for illuminating the mechanism of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Waisman Center and School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53705-2280, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Messing
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brenner
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein