Molecular Genetics Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) Sequencing

Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) is a group of inherited neurologic disorders in which iron accumulates in the basal ganglia resulting in progressive dystonia, spasticity, parkinsonism, neuropsychiatric abnormalities, and optic atrophy or retinal degeneration.  The age of onset ranges from infancy to late adulthood, and the rate of progression varies. Cognitive decline occurs in some subtypes, but more often cognition is relatively spared. Cerebellar atrophy is a frequent finding in some subtypes. The diagnosis is usually suspected with findings of brain iron accumulation on MRI.  However, both clinical findings and molecular genetic testing establish the diagnosis of specific subtypes.

Our panel is the most comprehensive clinical NBIA testing panel currently available. It includes the 10 genes associated with well-described NBIA disorders, as well as genes associated with new emerging phenotypes and related disorders. The results of each NBIA panel are reviewed by Dr. Susan Hayflick, who discovered many of these genes, and provides consultation on NBIA disorders to physicians around the world.

Reasons for Referral:

• Confirmation of a suspected clinical diagnosis in patients with the hallmark findings of NBIA.
• Further assessment of patients with clinical diagnosis of idiopathic NBIA who have had mutations ruled out in other genes.

Next generation sequencing will analyze the exons or coding regions of 21 NBIA-associated genes using Illumina NextSeq 500 technology.  Samples are prepared using hybridization probes to enrich exonic regions.  Promoter, intronic, etc. regions are not assessed on our assay, but may contain variants that impact gene function.

The 21 NBIA-associated genes are listed below:

Panel Options:

• Sequencing Only
• Deletion/Duplication Only*
• Sequencing AND Deletion/Duplication*

Genomic DNA: 10 µg at a minimum concentration of 100 ng/µL needed (DNA must be extracted in a CLIA-certified laboratory or a laboratory meeting equivalent requirements as determined by the CAP and/or CMS)

Blood:  EDTA or ACD (Solution A or B):

• Adult: 5 mL
• Child: 5 mL
• Infant: 2-3 mL

A REQUISITION FORM MUST ACCOMPANY ALL SAMPLES.  Please include detailed clinical information, including ethnicity, clinical history, and family history.

Weekly

8 weeks

1. Gregory A. and Hayflick S., 2014. GeneReviews: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK121988/