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Synonyms: Joubert-Boltshauser syndrome, cerebelloparenchymal disorder IV, familial cerebellar vermis agenesis, cerebello-oculo-renal syndrome.[1]

Joubert's syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive condition characterised by partial or complete absence of the cerebellar vermis, leading to neonatal breathing abnormalities, jerky eye movements, hypotonia, ataxia, impaired equilibrium, and mental handicap.[2]

The incidence of Joubert's syndrome has been estimated to range between 1/80,000 and 1/100,000 live births, although this may be an underestimate.[3]

Joubert's syndrome is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait (genetic heterogeneity - chromosome 9 is a possible candidate[4]). Mutations in five genes have been identified, including AHI1, NPHP1 and RPGRIP1L.[5, 6]

Recurrence risk is 25% in most families, although X-linked inheritance should also be considered.

Onset is in early infancy with abnormally rapid breathing, jerky eye movements, mental retardation, hemifacial spasms, seizures and ataxia:

  • Eyes: abnormal eye movements, chorioretinal coloboma, ptosis, and retinal dysplasia.
  • Mouth: tongue tumours and protrusion.
  • Hand and foot: polydactyly.
  • Neurological: hypotonia, hypoplasia or aplasia of the cerebellar vermis, occasional occipital meningo-encephalocele, hemifacial spasms and ataxia.
  • Gastrointestinal: duodenal atresia or fibrosis.
  • Renal: cystic kidneys.
  • Mental and motor retardation.
  • Behavioural problems: self-mutilation.
  • Neonatal apnoea followed by episodic hyperpnoea which may improve and subsequently disappear.
  • The diagnosis of Joubert's syndrome is confirmed with MRI, which shows classic neuroradiological finding of a complex midbrain-hindbrain malformation known as the 'molar tooth sign' (MTS), originating from the association of cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, horizontally-oriented and thickened superior cerebellar peduncles and a deepened interpeduncular fossa ('molar tooth sign').[2, 7]
  • Detection of the MTS should be followed by a diagnostic protocol to assess multi-organ involvement.
  • MRI findings also include dilated cisterna magna, occipital meningo-encephalocele, Dandy-Walker malformation, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum, retrobulbar cystic mass.
  • Abdominal ultrasound may show cystic kidneys.
  • Genetic testing is not currently available but the physical abnormalities may be detected at antenatal ultrasound. A fetal MRI scan at between 20 and 22 weeks of gestation has been shown to be an effective method of antenatal diagnosis.[8]

Other autosomal recessive ataxias, eg Friedreich's ataxia, ataxia-telangiectasia.[9]

Leber's amaurosis (blindness with normal optic fundi and brain and kidney abnormalities) may be associated.

  • Treatment is symptomatic and supportive and will include physiotherapy, and occupational and speech therapy.
  • The parents will need a great deal of support.
  • This depends on the degree of malformation or agenesis of the cerebellar vermis.
  • Some will have a mild form with mild physical disability and good mental development.
  • In others, there may be severe physical disability, moderate mental retardation and death in infancy or early childhood.

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Further reading and references

  • Parisi MA; Clinical and molecular features of Joubert syndrome and related disorders. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2009 Nov 15151C(4):326-40.

  1. Joubert M, Eisenring JJ, Robb JP, et al; Familial agenesis of the cerebellar vermis. A syndrome of episodic hyperpnea, abnormal eye movements, ataxia, and retardation. Neurology. 1969 Sep

  2. Valente EM, Brancati F, Dallapiccola B; Genotypes and phenotypes of Joubert syndrome and related disorders. Eur J Med Genet. 2008 Jan-Feb51(1):1-23. Epub 2007 Nov 23.

  3. Brancati F, Dallapiccola B, Valente EM; Joubert Syndrome and related disorders. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2010 Jul 85:20.

  4. Joubert Syndrome, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM)

  5. Louie CM, Gleeson JG; Genetic basis of Joubert syndrome and related disorders of cerebellar development. Hum Mol Genet. 2005 Oct 15

  6. Harris PC; Genetic complexity in Joubert syndrome and related disorders. Kidney Int. 2007 Dec72(12):1421-3.

  7. Merritt L; Recognition of the clinical signs and symptoms of Joubert syndrome. Adv Neonatal Care. 2003 Aug

  8. Doherty D, Glass IA, Siebert JR, et al; Prenatal diagnosis in pregnancies at risk for Joubert syndrome by ultrasound and MRI. Prenat Diagn. 2005 Jun

  9. Espinos-Armero C, Gonzalez-Cabo P, Palau-Martinez F; [Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias. Their classification, genetic features and pathophysiology] Rev Neurol. 2005 Oct 1-15

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