scholarly journals Aromatic L-amino Acid Decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency: results from an Italian modified Delphi consensus

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Fusco ◽  
◽  
Vincenzo Leuzzi ◽  
Pasquale Striano ◽  
Roberta Battini ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is a rare and underdiagnosed neurometabolic disorder resulting in a complex neurological and non-neurological phenotype, posing diagnostic challenges resulting in diagnostic delay. Due to the low number of patients, gathering high-quality scientific evidence on diagnosis and treatment is difficult. Additionally, based on the estimated prevalence, the number of undiagnosed patients is likely to be high. Methods Italian experts in AADC deficiency formed a steering committee to engage clinicians in a modified Delphi consensus to promote discussion, and support research, dissemination and awareness on this disorder. Five experts in the field elaborated six main topics, each subdivided into 4 statements and invited 13 clinicians to give their anonymous feedback. Results 100% of the statements were answered and a consensus was reached at the first round. This enabled the steering committee to acknowledge high rates of agreement between experts on clinical presentation, phenotypes, diagnostic work-up and treatment strategies. A research gap was identified in the lack of standardized cognitive and motor outcome data. The need for setting up an Italian working group and a patients’ association, together with the dissemination of knowledge inside and outside scientific societies in multiple medical disciplines were recognized as critical lines of intervention. Conclusions The panel expressed consensus with high rates of agreement on a series of statements paving the way to disseminate clear messages concerning disease presentation, diagnosis and treatment and strategic interventions to disseminate knowledge at different levels. Future lines of research were also identified.

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-198
Author(s):  
Stanley N. Caroff ◽  
Leslie Citrome ◽  
Jonathan Meyer ◽  
Kimberly Riggs ◽  
Martha Sajatovic ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveVesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors are the first class of drugs approved to treat tardive dyskinesia (TD). With the recent approval of these medications, a modified Delphi process was implemented to address the need for updated clinical guidelines for TD screening, diagnosis, and treatment.MethodsA Steering Committee of 11 TD experts met in a Nominal Group meeting format to discuss/prioritize questions to be addressed about TD and identify individuals to be invited to serve as Delphi survey panelists. Two survey rounds were conducted anonymously; responses were collected, collated, and analyzed. Respondent agreement was defined a priori by the Steering Committee as unanimous (100%), consensus (75–99%), or majority (50–74%). For questions using a 5-point Likert scale, agreement was based on percentage of respondents choosing ≥4 (“agree completely” or “agree”). Round 1 survey included questions on TD screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Round 2 questions were refined per panelist feedback and excluded Round 1 questions with <25% agreement (deemed unlikely to achieve consensus) and some questions that already achieved consensus (>75% agreement).ResultsOnline surveys were sent to 60 individuals; 29 agreed to participate as panelists (23 psychiatrists; 6 neurologists). Respondents unanimously agreed (100%) that all patients currently taking dopamine receptor blocking agents (DRBAs) should be screened for TD, and that the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is the standard structured assessment for monitoring severity of TD. There was consensus (76%) that a semi-structured assessment could be used for more frequent routine TD screening. Respondents unanimously agreed that treatment with first generation antipsychotics, older age, and longer cumulative exposure to antipsychotics were risk factors for TD. For TD diagnosis, consensus (89%) was reached that a patient with an AIMS score >2 (mild) affecting 1 body area should be considered as having possible TD; consensus (93%) was also reached that TD was most often evident in orofacial musculature, although other body areas may be affected and should not be neglected. Consensus was not reached on minimum cumulative duration of DRBA exposure for TD diagnosis, but a majority (70%) agreed that minimum cumulative exposure of 1month may be sufficient. For TD treatment, unanimity or consensus was reached on 4 strategies to consider: discussion of treatment options with patients/caregivers (100%), modification of antipsychotic regimen (100%), treatment with VMAT2 inhibitor (100%), and modification of anticholinergic regimen (86%).ConclusionsUsing a Nominal Group and modified Delphi process, consensus was reached within 1−2 rounds on several key aspects of TD screening, diagnosis, and treatment. This process may offer an expedient method to identify gaps in agreement and facilitate updated management guidelines.Funding Acknowledgements: Sponsored by Neurocrine Biosciences,Inc.


1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 349-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfreda Maller ◽  
Keith Hyland ◽  
Sheldon Milstien ◽  
Italo Biaggioni ◽  
Ian J. Butler

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa Wassenberg ◽  
Marta Molero-Luis ◽  
Kathrin Jeltsch ◽  
Georg F. Hoffmann ◽  
Birgit Assmann ◽  
...  

1978 ◽  
Vol 235 (1) ◽  
pp. R41-R47
Author(s):  
M. T. Lin ◽  
I. H. Pang ◽  
S. I. Chern ◽  
W. Y. Chia

Elevating serotonin (5-HT) contents in brain with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) reduced rectal temperature (Tre) in rabbits after peripheral decarboxylase inhibition with the aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase inhibitor R04-4602 at two ambient temperatures (Ta), 2 and 22 degrees C. The hypothermia was brought about by both an increase in respiratory evaporative heat loss (Eres) and a decrease in metabolic rate (MR) in the cold. At a Ta of 22 degrees C, the hypothermia was achieved solely due to an increase in heat loss. Depleting brain contents of 5-HT with intraventricular, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) produced an increased Eres and ear blood flow even at Ta of 2 degrees C. Also, MR increased at all but the Ta of 32 degrees C. However, depleting the central and peripheral contents of 5-HT with p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) produced lower MR accompanied by lower Eres in the cold compared to the untreated control. Both groups of pCPA-treated and 5,7-DHT-treated animals maintained their Tre within normal limits. The data suggest that changes in 5-HT content in brain affects the MR of rabbits in the cold. Elevating brain content of 5-HT tends to depress the MR response to cold, while depleting brain content of 5-HT tends to enhance the MR response to cold.


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