What is H-ABC?
Hypomyelination with atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum, also called H-ABC, is a rare genetic disorder that progressively damages the nervous system. It specifically targets two parts of the brain: the basal ganglia and the cerebellum, which control the body’s actions and movement.
H-ABC is a type of leukodystrophy, a group of conditions that affect the white matter of the brain. These diseases damage the myelin sheath, which surrounds and protects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and speeds transmission of messages between cells.
The process of the body forming this protective myelin sheath is called myelination. Typically, myelination develops in the first few years of life. In H-ABC, there is hypomyelination. Hypomyelination means that the body is unable to produce myelin at normal levels. This prevents the body from completing normal myelination of the brain, and in some cases, the nerves outside the brain.
The condition also reduces the size and function of the basal ganglia and the cerebellum. As a result, people with H-ABC often have motor problems, including stiffness of the muscles and joints, low muscle tone, difficulty with controlling movements, and problems with balance and coordination.
Causes of H-ABC
H-ABC is caused by a mutation in the TUBB4A gene.
In most genetic disorders like H-ABC, a gene mutation is inherited from your parents. H-ABC, however, is usually not inherited from a parent. Instead, the change in the TUBB4A gene is typically a random mutation in the person who develops the condition. In these cases, neither parent is a carrier, and the chances of having another child with the disease is extremely low. There is a small chance that one parent may carry the mutation in some cells (mosaicism), which means that they would not have symptoms but still be able to transmit the disorder to other children.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms and the progress of H-ABC differ depending on when the disease first appears.
When symptoms begin in the first few months of life, the effect of the disease tends to be severe and its progress more rapid. In these cases, symptoms may include:
- A small head (microcephaly)
- Uncontrolled, jerky eye movements (nystagmus) and poor vision
- Problems with swallowing and speech
- Delays in reaching developmental milestones for movement
- Low muscle tone (hypotonia)
- Poor coordination or clumsiness (ataxia)
- Muscle and limb stiffness (spasticity)
- Involuntary movements, including twisting, writhing and abnormal postures (dystonia and choreoathetosis)
- Seizures
When symptoms begin later, in early childhood, the effect of the disease tends to be milder and its progress slower. In these cases, the primary symptom is progressively greater trouble with movement, including:
- Stiffness of the arms and legs (spasticity)
- Gait problems, and other problems with coordination (ataxia)
- Involuntary movements, including twisting, writhing and abnormal postures (dystonia and choreoathetosis)
- Rigidity
- Learning difficulties and attention problems
In some cases, the symptoms can be very mild and begin in later in childhood or adolescence, or even in adulthood.
Testing and diagnosis for H-ABC
Diagnosis of H-ABC is made based on the physical symptoms, imaging of the brain and the results of genetic tests.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is a key diagnostic tool, as it can detect patterns in brain tissue that are characteristic of H-ABC.
- Genetic testing can identify changes in the TUBB4A gene associated with H-ABC. This analysis is done from a blood sample.
Treatment
There is no known cure for H-ABC, but treatment is available to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for individuals affected by the disease.
At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, your child’s care will be coordinated by our Leukodystrophy Center. Our multidisciplinary team provides advanced diagnostic testing, comprehensive clinical care, and the latest treatments available while we continue to seek new therapeutic options.
Clinical trials may also be an option. Your doctor can help you learn more about these studies. You can also find a list of ongoing studies at www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About your child’s visit
Find information about scheduling appointments with CHOP’s Leukodystrophy Center and what to expect during your first visit.
Follow-up care
Children with H-ABC need regular monitoring by neurologists, as well as ongoing therapy and coordinated care by other medical subspecialists as needed to adapt treatment to their changing needs. Your child’s care is geared towards providing the highest possible quality of life and addressing any symptoms that cause discomfort.
Resources to help
Hypomyelination with Atrophy of the Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum (H-ABC) Resources
Leukodystrophy Center Resources
We have created resources to help you find answers to your questions and feel confident with the care you are providing your child.
Meet your team
The Leukodystrophy Center at CHOP includes a broad team of specialists dedicated to providing care, testing and treatments to infants and children with inherited white matter diseases.