Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (proximal dominant form, HMSN-P) among Brazilians of Japanese ancestry.
Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (proximal dominant form, HMSN-P) has been reported exclusively from Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. We herein report three brothers with HMSN-P who are among Brazilians of Japanese ancestry. They showed the typical clinical manifestations and were compatible with HMSN-P. Okinawa Prefecture has been a site of emigration to other countries, mainly in South America, since 1908. Although this is the first reported familial case of HMSN-P occurring outside Japan, it is estimated that there are 19 or 20 individuals with HMSN-P among these emigrants. Since HMSN-P might be misdiagnosed as familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or spinal muscular atrophy, neurologists in countries where individuals of Okinawan extraction reside should be aware of this hereditary neuropathy. HMSN-P should no longer be regarded as an endemic condition limited to Okinawa.
Maeda
Kengo
K
Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan. kengo@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp
Sugiura
Makoto
M
Kato
Hiroko
H
Sanada
Mitsuru
M
Kawai
Hiromichi
H
Yasuda
Hitoshi
H
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D001938:Brazil; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D015417:Hereditary Sensory and Motor Neuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged