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X-linked lissencephaly
 
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X-linked lissencephaly

Reviewed July 2008

What is X-linked lissencephaly?

X-linked lissencephaly is a condition of abnormal brain development that mainly affects males, though females may be mildly affected. Normally the exterior of the brain (cerebral cortex) is multi-layered with folds and grooves. People with lissencephaly have an abnormally smooth brain with fewer folds and grooves. This abnormality can cause severe mental retardation and developmental delay, seizures, abnormal muscle stiffness (spasticity), weak muscle tone (hypotonia), and feeding difficulties. People without any folds in the brain (agyria) typically have more severe symptoms.

There are at least two forms of X-linked lissencephaly. The first is characterized by lissencephaly only, and usually involves no other parts of the body. The second is lissencephaly with abnormal (ambiguous) genitalia. This form of X-linked lissencephaly is typically more severe, with seizures often beginning within the first day of life, and sometimes even before birth. In addition, affected males can have an unusually small penis (micropenis), undescended testes (cryptorchidism), or external genitalia that do not look clearly male or clearly female (ambiguous genitalia). Males with this form of X-linked lissencephaly also can show a lack of development (agenesis) of the tissue connecting the left and right halves of the brain (corpus callosum), low body temperature (hypothermia), and chronic diarrhea.

How common is X-linked lissencephaly?

The overall incidence of lissencephaly is estimated to be 1 in 85,000 individuals. The incidence of males with X-linked lissencephaly is unknown.

What genes are related to X-linked lissencephaly?

X-linked lissencephaly is caused by a mutation in either the DCX gene or the ARX gene. Mutations in the DCX gene cause isolated lissencephaly, which typically does not involve any other parts of the body. Mutations in the ARX gene can cause X-linked lissencephaly with ambiguous genitalia and other associated health issues. Both genes provide instructions for producing proteins that play a role in the development of the brain. The DCX protein, doublecortin, plays a role in the migration of nerve cells (neurons) to their proper location in the developing brain. The ARX protein is involved in the regulation of other genes that contribute to brain development. The ARX protein is also found in the pancreas and testes.

X-linked lissencephaly is seen primarily in males. Most females with a DCX mutation have a milder brain disorder called subcortical band heterotopia, or doublecortex. Females with an ARX mutation usually have some degree of mental retardation, epilepsy, and agenesis of the corpus callosum.

Read more about the ARX and DCX genes.

How do people inherit X-linked lissencephaly?

This condition is inherited in an X-linked dominant pattern. The gene associated with this condition is located on the X chromosome, which is one of the two sex chromosomes. In females (who have two X chromosomes), a mutation in one of the two copies of the gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. In males (who have only one X chromosome), a mutation in the only copy of the gene in each cell causes the disorder. In most cases, males experience more severe symptoms of the disorder than females. A striking characteristic of X-linked inheritance is that fathers cannot pass X-linked traits to their sons.

In some cases, an affected person inherits the mutation from one affected parent. Other cases may result from new mutations in the gene. These cases occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family.

Where can I find information about treatment for X-linked lissencephaly?

These resources address the management of X-linked lissencephaly and may include treatment providers.

You might also find information on treatment of X-linked lissencephaly in Educational resources and Patient support.

Where can I find additional information about X-linked lissencephaly?

You may find the following resources about X-linked lissencephaly helpful. These materials are written for the general public.

You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for healthcare professionals and researchers.

What other names do people use for X-linked lissencephaly?

  • classic lissencephaly
  • lissencephaly and agenesis of corpus callosum
  • lissencephaly type 1
  • lissencephaly, X-linked
  • LISX
  • XLIS

What if I still have specific questions about X-linked lissencephaly?

Where can I find general information about genetic conditions?

What glossary definitions help with understanding X-linked lissencephaly?

References (6 links)

 

The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.

 
Reviewed: July 2008
Published: January 12, 2009