Introduction

Familial/sporadic hemiplegic migraine (FHM/SHM) is a rare migraine with aura subtype, usually inherited in an autosomal dominant manner [1]. Mutations on CACNA1A on chromosome 19p13, (FHM1), ATP1A2 on chromosome 1q23 (FHM2) and SCN1A genes on chromosome 2q24 (FHM3) were identified as causing FHM [2, 3]. Missense mutations in the CACNA1A gene, which encodes for the alpha1 subunit of a P/Q type voltage-gated calcium channel, account for 50–70 % of FHM patients [2]. Besides hemiplegic migraine, FHM1 is associated with a broad spectrum of clinical features [3, 4]. Cerebellar signs and symptoms, ranging from nystagmus to progressive, usually late-onset, mild ataxia, both during or independently from FHM/SHM attacks, are also not uncommon in FHM1 families [3–9]. They have been identified in up to 20–40 % of FHM1 families and can become permanent and associated with cerebellar atrophy at cerebral MRI in 60 % of affected individuals. Pathogenesis of cerebellar involvement remains controversial. It has been shown that different FHM mutations induce changes in single-channel function and expression leading to opposite effects on Ca2+ influx. Particularly, some authors observed that only mutations causing a reduction of Ca2+ influx are associated with cerebellar ataxia in addition to the classical FHM phenotype, whereas in other papers cerebellar signs have been associated with a gain of function in Ca2+ receptor determining lower threshold and lower depolarization level [4, 10]. We report a 54-year-old woman, among the population of the Lombardia GENS project (http://www.clinicaltrial.gov), affected by migraine with aura and ataxia carrying the p.Arg583Gln missense substitution in the CACNA1A gene focusing, through a review literature, on the clinical phenotype of mutation carriers.

Case report

A 54-year-old woman (PV) was admitted in 2009 to the Stroke Unit of Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedale di Circolo di Busto Arsizio, Saronno, Tradate for recurrent attacks of right temporal migraine followed by a sudden sequence of left hemiparesis, associated with a decreased level of consciousness, dysarthria, vision loss and sensory deficit alternating in limb side. The neurological examination at admission revealed a mild depression and a slight cognitive deficit with a Minimental State Examination Score (MMSE) of 27/30. No cranial nerve deficits, including dysarthria and nystagmus, were detected. A slight left hemiparesis, mild hypotonia in the four limbs and alternating arm deficit in sensation were also observed. Cerebellar tasks showed a bilateral dysmetria pattern at the nose–finger and heel–shin test and inaccuracies were observed in fast alternating hand movements (dysdiadochokinesia). Truncal ataxia and intention tremor were not detected. Stance was achievable without aid although the loss of balance and gait was ataxic, but she was able to walk without help. From early childhood she suffered from migraine with aura with a bi-monthly frequency, mainly characterised by vision loss, sensory deficit in the right limbs and sometimes, left hemiparesis. Aura usually developed over a period of 5 min and lasted less than 60 min. No triggers for symptoms onset or worsening were identified. Biochemistry, inflammatory markers, thyroid hormones, cyanocobalamin dosage and autoantibodies search (anti GAD, anti-glyadin, anti-endomysium, anti neuronal) were negative. ECG, echocardiography and epiaortic and transcranial ultrasound examination were normal too. The brain CT scan performed in the acute phase demonstrated a hypodense round lesion proximal to the left silvian fissure. The cerebral MRI confirmed the left hyperintense round lesion at T2 and FLAIR weighted images, consistent with an old small ischemic infarction and revealed a mild cerebellar atrophy (Fig. 1). Electroencephalogram showed unspecific abnormalities on the left hemisphere, consistent with lesional activity. During the hospitalization, the patient’s left strength deficit as well as migraine progressively improved whereas cerebellar deficits remained stable. Since the patient did not reported other hemiplegic attacks at 1 year follow-up, no therapy was administered. Familial history was not completely available given the premature death of both parents. One brother had an undocumented mental retardation. However, his neurological examination was negative except for a bradypsychia.

Fig. 1
figure 1

a, b Coronal and axial T2-weighted images showing the small vascular lesion near the left silvian scissure (red arrow). c, d Axial and sagittal T1 weighted images demonstrating cerebellar atrophy with deeper sulci on (color figure online)

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Given the suspicion of sporadic hemiplegic migraine, a genetic analysis for FHM1 and FHM2 was performed after obtaining informed consent. Sequence analysis of CACNA1A gene revealed the presence of the heterozygous variant c.1748G>A, resulting in the p.Arg583Gln missense substitution in the putative protein, already described in association with hemiplegic migraine and ataxia (http://grenada.lumc.nl/LOVD2/FHM/home.php).

Discussion

We report a patient presenting with migraine with aura and cerebellar signs and symptoms, carrying the p.Arg583Gln mutation in the CACNA1A gene. This mutation is located in S4-transmembrane segments of a protein domain II, which is considered the channel voltage sensor segment. The substitution of an arginine by a neutral glutamine determines a change in the 3D structure and in the electrical activity of the P/Q calcium channel, bringing a shift in activation and inactivation dependence to a more negative potential. It is also thought that the inactivation recovery of p.Arg583Gln mutant is slower than normal, leading to accumulation of many inactivated calcium channels during depolarization. The mutation has been already described in about 30 patients with hemiplegic migraine (HM) and ataxia [4–8], who are summarized in Table 1. Phenotype of p.Arg583Gln carriers seems to be quite heterogeneous and not always including cerebellar ataxia. Some isolated and familial carriers have been reported to be asymptomatic or presenting migraine without ataxia [3–8]. This finding is consistent with an incomplete disease penetrance or alternatively with the late disease onset [3, 6], given the young age of most asymptomatic cases. However, despite the heterogeneous phenotypic spectrum, some common characteristics can be drawn. First, cerebellar signs appeared mostly in advanced age and mainly consisted in ataxia and dysmetria with intention tremor, whereas nystagmus was never described [3, 7]. Second, in most cases cerebellar signs are progressive and permanent making the phenotype of p.Arg583Gln mutations more similar to SCA6 than EA2. Lastly, except for a few cases in which migraine was triggered by fever or head trauma, in most cases, a provoking event was not detectable [5, 7]. Our case, except for relatively small attack duration, does not differ from other literature observations. However, the small number of reported patients and the lack of neuroimaging data make it difficult to define a clearer p.Arg583Gln phenotype. Interestingly, acetazolamide seems to be effective in p.Arg583Gln symptomatic carriers [7]. The availability of therapeutic options supports genetic screening for FHM/SHM also in atypical form of hemiplegic migraine with cerebellar symptoms after exclusion of other possible causes.

Table 1 CACNA1A R583Q reported mutation in FHM/SHM associated with ataxia in literature
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