Autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia type 78

What it is

From: Orphanet

A rare autosomal recessive complex spastic paraplegia characterized by mostly adult-onset progressive spasticity and weakness predominantly affecting the lower limbs, axonal motor and sensory neuropathy, and cerebellar symptoms like ataxia, dysarthria, and oculomotor abnormalities. Variable degrees of cognitive impairment may also be present. Subtle extrapyramidal involvement and supranuclear gaze palsy were reported in some cases. Features on brain imaging include cerebral and cerebellar atrophy and sometimes abnormalities of the corpus callosum or basal ganglia.

Reported clinical features and what the terms mean

The following findings are associated with this condition in Orphanet. They are not a checklist for diagnosing yourself, and they do not all occur in every affected person. Some are examination, imaging or laboratory findings that cannot be recognised at home.

The frequency labels describe how often a finding was reported among people with the condition in the source. They do not give the chance that a person with that symptom has the condition. Definitions below reproduce HPO terminology; they explain the term, not the likely severity in an individual.

Babinski sign · Very frequent (99-80%)

Upturning of the big toe (and sometimes fanning of the other toes) in response to stimulation of the sole of the foot. If the Babinski sign is present it can indicate damage to the corticospinal tract.

Cerebellar atrophy · Very frequent (99-80%)

Cerebellar atrophy is defined as a cerebellum with initially normal structures, in a posterior fossa with normal size, which displays enlarged fissures (interfolial spaces) in comparison to the foliae secondary to loss of tissue. Cerebellar atrophy implies irreversible loss of tissue and result from an ongoing progressive disease until a final stage is reached or a single injury, e.g. an intoxication or infectious event.

Cerebral cortical atrophy · Very frequent (99-80%)

Atrophy of the cortex of the cerebrum.

Cognitive impairment · Very frequent (99-80%)

Abnormal cognition is characterized by deficits in thinking, reasoning, or remembering.

Dysarthria · Very frequent (99-80%)

Dysarthric speech is a general description referring to a neurological speech disorder characterized by poor articulation. Depending on the involved neurological structures, dysarthria may be further classified as spastic, flaccid, ataxic, hyperkinetic and hypokinetic, or mixed.

EMG: axonal abnormality · Very frequent (99-80%)

Electromyographic (EMG) findings characteristic of axonal neuropathy, with normal or slightly decreased nerve conduction velocities, normal or slightly prolonged distal latencies, but significantly reduced motor potentials and sensory amplitudes. There may be spontaneous activity upon needle EMG studies, such as increased insertional activity, positive sharp waves, and fibrillation potentials.

Gait disturbance · Very frequent (99-80%)

The term gait disturbance can refer to any disruption of the ability to walk.

Hyperreflexia · Very frequent (99-80%)

Hyperreflexia is the presence of hyperactive stretch reflexes of the muscles.

Peripheral axonal neuropathy · Very frequent (99-80%)

An abnormality characterized by disruption of the normal functioning of peripheral axons.

Progressive gait ataxia · Very frequent (99-80%)

A type of gait ataxia displaying progression of clinical severity.

Strabismus · Very frequent (99-80%)

A misalignment of the eyes so that the visual axes deviate from bifoveal fixation. The classification of strabismus may be based on a number of features including the relative position of the eyes, whether the deviation is latent or manifest, intermittent or constant, concomitant or otherwise and according to the age of onset and the relevance of any associated refractive error.

Progressive cerebellar ataxia · Very frequent (99-80%)

Progressive spastic paraplegia · Very frequent (99-80%)

Abnormal periventricular white matter morphology · Frequent (79-30%)

A structural abnormality of the myelinated axons (white matter) located near the cerebral ventricles.

Other findings in the same source

From: Orphanet

Additional reported features include Abnormal pyramidal sign (Frequent (79-30%)); Dystonia (Frequent (79-30%)); Horizontal nystagmus (Frequent (79-30%)); Hypoplasia of the corpus callosum (Frequent (79-30%)); Neurogenic bladder (Frequent (79-30%)); Pes cavus (Frequent (79-30%)); Sensory axonal neuropathy (Frequent (79-30%)); Supranuclear gaze palsy (Frequent (79-30%)); Progressive spastic quadriplegia (Frequent (79-30%)); Dementia (Very rare (<4-1%)). This is a selected summary, not a complete description of the condition.

When it may begin

From: Orphanet

Adolescent; Adult; Childhood

Inheritance in the source

From: Orphanet

Autosomal recessive

Frequency and the population described

From: Orphanet

Reported case(s): 7.0; Worldwide. This is a published case count, not prevalence. Point prevalence: <1 / 1 000 000; Worldwide; Class only.

Understanding the inheritance label

From: MedlinePlus Genetics

An autosomal recessive pattern usually involves disease-causing changes in both copies of a gene. Parents may each carry one altered copy without having the condition themselves. A genetic counsellor can explain carrier testing and reproductive implications using the actual laboratory findings, rather than the condition name alone.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia type 78 is Neurology, with a neurologist as the relevant type of clinician. General physician / Family Medicine; paediatrician for children. Referral depends on symptoms.

Additional services that may be relevant, depending on the findings, include: Clinical Genetics.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• Which nervous-system findings help explain the symptoms?
• Would an assessment of walking, communication or daily function be helpful?
• Are rehabilitation or other specialist services relevant?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

The material gathered for this draft does not provide a complete condition-specific treatment pathway for Autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia type 78. That gap does not mean that treatment is unavailable. A clinician needs to establish the diagnosis and review current guidance before recommending medicines, procedures, rehabilitation or other support.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

The collected references do not establish a complete prevention or long-term outlook section for this entry. Missing information should not be interpreted as proof that prevention is impossible or that a particular outcome is inevitable. Ask what is known for the exact subtype, stage and personal circumstances, and which uncertainties remain.

When to seek emergency help

Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.