Childhood-onset CADASIL: clinical, imaging, and neurocognitive features

CADASIL (cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition, associated with mutations in the notch3 gene. Symptoms include migraine with aura, mood disorders, progressive cognitive decline, subcortical ischemic strokes, dementia, and premature death. We present an 8-year-old boy with attention and behavioral difficulties, as well as a family history of the condition. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed subcortical foci of increased T2 hyperintensity, and sequencing of the notch3 gene revealed 1 previously reported mutation and 1 novel sequence variant. Neurocognitive assessment revealed deficits in several aspects of executive functioning and in verbal learning. To our knowledge, this is the youngest reported patient with this condition, and it prompts reconsideration of CADASIL as an adult-onset disease.