Neurological manifestations of ATTR amyloidosis

Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a rare disease in which the protein transthyretin (TTR) is deposited in the form of amyloid fibrils in various tissues and organs and secondarily leads to functional impairment, especially in peripheral nerves and the heart. A differentiation is made between hereditary and sporadic forms. The hereditary variant is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and usually occurs in the younger to middle-aged, while the sporadic form occurs in older age and has no known genetic cause. Typical signs of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis (ATTRv, v for variant) include a rapidly progressing sensorimotor and autonomic polyneuropathy (PNP), cardiac dysfunction as well as ocular and gastrointestinal symptoms. A carpal tunnel syndrome often precedes the manifestation. Various options (tafamidis, patisiran, inotersen or vutrisiran) are available for the treatment of patients with ATTRv with PNP in Germany, depending on the severity. In the sporadic variant of wild-type ATTR amyloidosis (ATTRwt), symptoms of progressive cardiomyopathy are usually prominent; however, neurological assessment of these patients often also reveals a concomitant sensory ataxic PNP. The tetramer stabilizer tafamidis can be used for treatment. Because of this complex presentation, the management of patients with ATTR amyloidosis should be performed in interdisciplinary centers specialized in amyloidosis.