J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 16:93-101, February 2004
© 2004 American Psychiatric Press, Inc.
Familial Hypothalamic Digoxin Deficiency Syndrome
Ravi Kumar Kurup, D.M. and
Parameswara Achutha Kurup, Ph.D.
Received March 22, 2002; revised July 3, 2002; accepted July 11, 2002. From the Department of Neurology, Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala, India; Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Address correspondence to Dr. P.A. Kurup, Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Gouri Sadan, T.C.4/1525, North of Cliff House, Kattu Road, Kowdiar, Trivandrum, Kerala, India; kvgnair{at}satyam.net.in (E-mail).
The case report of a family with coexistence of hypotension, recurrent respiratory infection, motor tics, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), major depressive disorder, early onset osteoporosis, low body mass index, bulimia nervosa, and healthy aging with longevity is described. The family members had hyposexual behavior and less tendency toward spirituality. They did not have insomnia, but they did display tendency toward increased somnolence. No addictive behavior was observed. The family demonstrated a high level of bonding and affectionate behavior, and they were less creative, with an average intelligence quotient (IQ). There was a total absence of vascular thrombosis, systemic neoplasms and neuronal degeneration in the indexed family. All members of the indexed family were left hemispheric dominant. The levels of serum digoxin, HMG-CoA reductase activity, and dolichol were found to be decreased in the members of the indexed family, with a corresponding increase in red blood cell (RBC) Na+-K+ ATPase activity, serum ubiquinone and magnesium levels. There was increase in tyrosine catabolites and a reduction in tryptophan catabolites in the serum. The total and individual glycosaminoglycan fractions, carbohydrate residues of glycoproteins, activity of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) degrading enzymes, and glycohydrolases were decreased in the serum. The concentration of RBC membrane total GAG and carbohydrate residues of glycoproteins increased, while the cholesterol: phospholipid ratio of the membrane decreased. The activity of free radical scavenging enzymes were increased, while the concentration of free radicals decreased significantly. The same biochemical patterns were observed in left hemispheric dominance as opposed to right hemispheric dominance. The significance of these findings in the pathogenesis of these disorders is discussed.
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