Perry Syndrome with Intrafamilial Heterogeneity in Presentation and Survival Including Acute Respiratory Failure:...

Perry syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant parkinsonian disorder characterized by respiratory failure. The variability in respiratory presentation in this condition is incompletely understood.

We report 2 first-degree relatives with Perry syndrome attributed to the same mutation in the Dynactin 1 (DCTN1) gene. Their clinical presentations with respect to parkinsonism and respiratory failure were heterogeneous. The proband presented with acute respiratory failure requiring invasive ventilation on a background of parkinsonism and remains alive more than 3 years later with a good levodopa response. We contrast this with the published literature, in which acute respiratory presentations were associated with a poor outcome. The proband's brother presented with parkinsonism together with early falls and gait impairment and died following gradual hypoventilation despite noninvasive respiratory support.

Perry syndrome can show intrafamily heterogeneity in both movement disorder and respiratory presentations. Acute respiratory failure is often but not always associated with a poor outcome.