ATP1A3 mutation in the first Asian case of rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism

We report a 38-year-old Korean man with sporadic rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism (RDP), who had a Thr 618 Met mutation in the Na+/K+-ATPase alpha 3 subunit gene (ATP1A3). At the age of 21, he acutely developed severe dystonia and parkinsonism, which rapidly deteriorated into a wheelchair-bound state within 4 days. He is the first Asian RDP patient confirmed by genetic testing, ascertaining that RDP gene mutation is present in Asians. Pathophysiological considerations are briefly discussed. (C) 2007 Movement Disorder Society.