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Recently, d-serine has been identified as an important NMDA-receptor co-agonist, which might play a role in central nervous system development. We investigated this by studying rat P19 cells, an established model for neuronal and glial differentiation. Our results show that (1) the d-serine synthesizing enzyme serine racemase was expressed upon differentiation, (2) extracellular d-serine concentra
Case: A 34-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with progressive movement disorders and neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation and enlargement of the frontal diploe on the MRI. Metabolic testing revealed that she had α-mannosidosis (AMD), a lysosomal storage disorder. Background: AMD is a rare genetic disorder that causes α-mannosidase deficiency resulting in lysosomal accumulation
Deficiency of ornithine-δ-aminotransferase (OAT) in humans results in gyrate atrophy. Early diagnosis may allow initiation of treatment before irreversible damage has occurred. However, diagnosis is commonly delayed well into adulthood because of the nonspecific character of initial symptoms. Here, we report findings in a neonate who was evaluated because of a positive family history of OAT defici
The neuregulin 1 (NRG1) receptor ErbB4 is involved in the development of cortical inhibitory GABAergic circuits and NRG1-ErbB4 signaling has been implicated in schizophrenia (SCZ). A magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS) study has demonstrated that a single-nucleotide polymorphism in ERBB4, rs7598440, influences human cortical GABA concentrations. Other work has highlighted the significant imp
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Vitamin B6 plays a pivotal role in brain development and functioning. Differences in vitamin B6 homeostasis between preterm and term newborn infants have been reported. The authors sought to investigate whether B6 vitamers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of preterm and term newborn infants are different. METHODS: B6 vitamer concentrations were determined in 69 CSF samples of
Worldwide, perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among term-born children. Overactivation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of cerebral hypoxia-ischemia, but the role of both endogenous NMDAr co-agonists d-serine and glycine remains largely elusive. We investigated d-serine and glycine concentration changes in rat gl
A family of eukaryotic proline racemase-like genes has recently been identified. Several members of this family have been well characterized and are known to catalyze the racemization of free proline or trans-4-hydroxyproline. However, the majority of eukaryotic proline racemase-like proteins, including a human protein called C14orf149, lack a specific cysteine residue that is known to be critical
Since vitamin B6 is essential for normal functioning of the central nervous system, there is growing need for sensitive analysis of B6 vitamers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This manuscript describes the development and validation of a rapid, sensitive and accurate method for quantification of the vitamin B6 vitamers pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxamine (PM), pyridoxine (PN), pyridoxic acid (PA), pyridoxa
d-Amino acids are increasingly being recognized as important signaling molecules in mammals, including humans. d-Serine and d-aspartate are believed to act as signaling molecules in the central nervous system. Interestingly, several other d-amino acids also occur in human plasma, but very little is currently known regarding their function and origin. Abnormal levels of d-amino acids have been impl
Objective: The introduction of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has significantly improved the life-span of Hurler patients (mucopolysaccharidosis type I-H, MPS I-H). Yet, the musculoskeletal manifestations seem largely unresponsive to HSCT. In order to facilitate evidence based management, the aim of the current study was to give a systematic overview of the orthopaedic complication
Only recently, d-amino acids have been identified in mammals. Of these, d-serine has been most extensively studied. d-Serine was found to play an important role as a neurotransmitter in the human central nervous system (CNS) by binding to the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAr), similar to glycine. Therefore, d-serine may well play a role in all physiological and pathological processes in which
Aim: To determine the incidence of late intracranial vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in The Netherlands using the Dutch Pediatric Intensive Care Evaluation (PICE) registry. Methods: The PICE registry was used to identify all infants who were admitted to a Dutch pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with intracranial bleeding between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2007. Cases of confirmed late
3-Phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (3-PGDH) deficiency is considered to be a rare cause of congenital microcephaly, infantile onset of intractable seizures and severe psychomotor retardation. Here, we report for the first time a very mild form of genetically confirmed 3-PGDH deficiency in two siblings with juvenile onset of absence seizures and mild developmental delay. Amino acid analysis showed se
BACKGROUND: Hypoglycemia is one of the most common metabolic derangements in childhood. To establish the cause of hypoglycemia, fasting tolerance tests can be used. Currently available reference values for fasting tolerance tests have limitations in their use in daily practice. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the reference values of metabolites involved in glucose homeostasis dur
Background Phenylketonuria (PKU) causes irreversible central nervous system damage unless a phenylalanine (PHE) restricted diet with amino acid supplementation is maintained. To prevent growth retardation, a protein/amino acid intake beyond the recommended dietary protein allowance is mandatory. However, data regarding disease and/or diet related changes in body composition are inconclusive and re
Two young girls without a notable medical history except for asthma presented with an acute toxic encephalopathy with very low serine concentrations both in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) comparable to patients with 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (3-PGDH) deficiency. Clinical symptoms and enzyme measurement (in one patient) excluded 3-PGDH deficiency. Deficiencies in other serine biosynthe
OBJECTIVES:: Vitamin K deficiency (VKD) may cause life-threatening haemorrhages, especially in breast-fed infants with unrecognised cholestasis. Interestingly, hypoallergenic formulas appear overrepresented in reported cases of VKD bleeding (VKDB) in formula-fed infants. We therefore assessed whether the risk of VKD in formula-fed infants with cholestasis is associated with hypoallergenic formulas
Hypomyelination is observed in the context of a growing number of genetic disorders that share clinical characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine the possible role of magnetic resonance imaging pattern recognition in distinguishing different hypomyelinating disorders, which would facilitate the diagnostic process. Only patients with hypomyelination of known cause were included in thi
The disorders of serine biosynthesis are a group of inborn errors of metabolism characterised by congenital microcephaly, seizures and severe psychomotor retardation. Although these disorders are rare the prompt recognition of serine deficiency is important as these disorders are treatable. The diagnosis is based on decreased concentrations of serine in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It has previously
