X-linked spinomuscular atrophy : a kindred with associated abnormal androgen receptor binding

• Published in: Neurology Vol. 42; no. 11; pp. 2181 - 2184
• Main Authors: WARNER, C. L, GRIFFIN, J. E, WILSON, J. D, JACOBS, L. D, MURRAY, K. R, FISCHBECK, K. H, DICKOFF, D, GRIGGS, R. C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-11-1992
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Androgens - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Genetic Linkage; Humans; Kinetics; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal - genetics; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal - metabolism; Neurology; Pedigree; Radioligand Assay; Receptors, Androgen - metabolism; Semen - metabolism; X Chromosome; Endocrinopathy; Human; Sex linked character; Neuromuscular diseases; Nervous system diseases; Androgen; Family study; Spinal amyotrophy; Genetic disease; Scrotum; Degenerative disease; Medulla oblongata; Skin; Sex steroid hormone; Spinal cord disease; Fibroblast; Hormonal receptor
• ISSN: 0028-3878; 1526-632X
• DOI: 10.1212/WNL.42.11.2181

We studied androgen receptor function in cultured scrotal skin fibroblasts from eight subjects with X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) (Kennedy's syndrome) from four families. The neuromuscular and endocrine features were similar in all patients. High-affinity dihydrotestosterone binding (Bmax) was decreased in three patients from one family (average, 11.1 fmol/mg) similar to values in subjects with androgen resistance syndromes. Bmax was normal in five SBMA patients from three other families (average, 26.0 fmol/mg). This finding provides direct evidence for abnormal androgen receptor function in some patients with SBMA. There was some correlation between severity of neuromuscular and endocrine dysfunction, providing further evidence that the two types of manifestations are related.