Clinical and neuroimaging characterization of the first frontotemporal dementia family carrying the MAPT p.K298E mutation

Neurogenetics. 2024 Jul;25(3):215-223. doi: 10.1007/s10048-024-00756-w. Epub 2024 Apr 9.

Abstract

We present an in-depth clinical and neuroimaging analysis of a family carrying the MAPT K298E mutation associated with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Initial identification of this mutation in a single clinical case led to a comprehensive investigation involving four affected siblings allowing to elucidate the mutation's phenotypic expression.A 60-year-old male presented with significant behavioral changes and progressed rapidly, exhibiting speech difficulties and cognitive decline. Neuroimaging via FDG-PET revealed asymmetrical frontotemporal hypometabolism. Three siblings subsequently showed varied but consistent clinical manifestations, including abnormal behavior, speech impairments, memory deficits, and motor symptoms correlating with asymmetric frontotemporal atrophy observed in MRI scans.Based on the genotype-phenotype correlation, we propose that the p.K298E mutation results in early-onset behavioral variant FTD, accompanied by a various constellation of speech and motor impairment.This detailed characterization expands the understanding of the p.K298E mutation's clinical and neuroimaging features, underlining its role in the pathogenesis of FTD. Further research is crucial to comprehensively delineate the clinical and epidemiological implications of the MAPT p.K298E mutation.

Keywords: Case series; FTDP-17; K298E; MAPT; Neuroimaging.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / pathology
  • Female
  • Frontotemporal Dementia* / diagnostic imaging
  • Frontotemporal Dementia* / genetics
  • Frontotemporal Dementia* / pathology
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation* / genetics
  • Neuroimaging*
  • Pedigree
  • Phenotype
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • tau Proteins* / genetics

Substances

  • tau Proteins
  • MAPT protein, human