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January 19, 2021; 96 (3) Article

Phenylalanine Effects on Brain Function in Adult Phenylketonuria

View ORCID ProfileAndrea Pilotto, View ORCID ProfileCarl M. Zipser, Edytha Leks, Dorothea Haas, Gwendolyn Gramer, Peter Freisinger, Eva Schaeffer, Inga Liepelt-Scarfone, Kathrin Brockmann, Walter Maetzler, Claudia Schulte, Christian Deuschle, Ann Kathrin Hauser, Georg F. Hoffmann, Klaus Scheffler, Francjan J. van Spronsen, Alessandro Padovani, Friedrich Trefz, Daniela Berg
First published October 22, 2020, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000011088
Andrea Pilotto
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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  • ORCID record for Andrea Pilotto
Carl M. Zipser
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Edytha Leks
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Dorothea Haas
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Gwendolyn Gramer
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Peter Freisinger
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Eva Schaeffer
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Inga Liepelt-Scarfone
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Kathrin Brockmann
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Walter Maetzler
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Claudia Schulte
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Christian Deuschle
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Ann Kathrin Hauser
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Georg F. Hoffmann
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Klaus Scheffler
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Francjan J. van Spronsen
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Alessandro Padovani
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Friedrich Trefz
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Daniela Berg
From the Neurology Unit (A. Pilotto, A. Padovani), Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Italy; Department of Neurodegeneration (A. Pilotto, I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research (A. Pilotto, C.M.Z., I.L.-S., K.B., W.M., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., D.B.), Department of Neurology and Stroke (C.M.Z.), Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance (E.L., K.S.), and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (I.L.-S., K.B., C.S., C.D., A.K.H., K.S.), University of Tübingen, Germany; Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre (A. Pilotto), FERB ONLUS, S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (D.H., G.G., G.F.H., F.T.), Division for Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, University of Heidelberg; Department of Pediatrics (P.F., F.T.), Reutlingen Hospital; Department of Neurology (E.S., W.M., D.B.), University-Hospital-Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel; and Division of Metabolic Diseases (F.J.v.S.), Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Phenylalanine Effects on Brain Function in Adult Phenylketonuria
Andrea Pilotto, Carl M. Zipser, Edytha Leks, Dorothea Haas, Gwendolyn Gramer, Peter Freisinger, Eva Schaeffer, Inga Liepelt-Scarfone, Kathrin Brockmann, Walter Maetzler, Claudia Schulte, Christian Deuschle, Ann Kathrin Hauser, Georg F. Hoffmann, Klaus Scheffler, Francjan J. van Spronsen, Alessandro Padovani, Friedrich Trefz, Daniela Berg
Neurology Jan 2021, 96 (3) e399-e411; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011088

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Abstract

Objective To evaluate the relationship between circulating phenylalanine and brain function as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms in adults with phenylketonuria.

Methods In this prospective cross-sectional study, early-treated patients with phenylketonuria older than 30 years and age- and sex-matched controls were included. Extensive neurologic evaluation, neuropsychological and behavioral testing, sensory and motor evoked potentials, and MRI were performed. CSF concentrations of neurodegenerative markers were evaluated in addition in a subset of 10 patients.

Results Nineteen patients with phenylketonuria (median age 41 years) with different phenylalanine levels (median 873 μmol/L) entered the study. They showed higher prevalence of neurologic symptoms, cognitive and behavioral abnormalities, autonomic dysfunction, alterations in neurophysiologic measures, and atrophy in putamen and right thalamus compared to controls. In CSF, patients with phenylketonuria exhibited higher β-amyloid 1-42 (p = 0.003), total tau (p < 0.001), and phosphorylated tau (p = 0.032) levels compared to controls. Plasma phenylalanine levels highly correlated with the number of failed neuropsychological tests (r = 0.64, p = 0.003), neuropsychiatric symptoms (r = 0.73, p < 001), motor evoked potential latency (r = 0.48, p = 0.030), and parietal lobe atrophy.

Conclusions Our study provides strong evidence for a correlation between phenylalanine levels and clinical, neuropsychological, neurophysiologic, biochemical, and imaging alterations in adult patients with phenylketonuria.

Glossary

Aβ=
β-amyloid;
AD=
Alzheimer disease;
AHB=
abductor hallucis brevis;
BDI=
Beck Depression Inventory;
CMCT=
central motor conduction time;
CWD=
cumulative years without diet;
ETP=
early-treated patients with phenylketonuria;
HC=
healthy control;
MEP=
motor evoked potential;
MoCA=
Montreal Cognitive Assessment;
NMSS=
Nonmotor Symptom Scale;
NPI=
Neuropsychiatric Inventory;
p-tau=
phosphorylated tau;
PD=
Parkinson disease;
Phe=
phenylalanine;
PKU=
phenylketonuria;
t-tau=
total tau;
SEP=
somatosensory evoked potential;
TMS=
transcranial magnetic stimulation;
TMT-A=
Trail-Making Test part A;
TMT-B=
Trial-Making Test part B;
VBM=
voxel-based morphometry;
WMH=
white matter hyperintensities

Footnotes

  • Go to Neurology.org/N for full disclosures. Funding information and disclosures deemed relevant by the authors, if any, are provided at the end of the article.

  • Received March 5, 2020.
  • Accepted in final form September 1, 2020.
  • © 2020 American Academy of Neurology
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