Neuro-Ophthalmic Manifestations of Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease

Adult polyglucosan body disease (APBD) is caused by a deficiency in glycogen branching enzyme that leads to polyglucosan accumulation in multiple organs. It has a progressive clinical course with prominent neurologic manifestations. We aim to describe the neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of APBD.

This is a case series of 3 individuals with genetically proven APBD. Written informed consent was provided by the brothers. We also performed a literature review on the current state of knowledge on APBD through PubMed.

Brother 1 developed gait imbalance and length-dependent polyneuropathy in his 40s followed by progressive urinary symptoms in his 50s. He reported diplopia and blurry vision in his 60s. Neuro-ophthalmic assessment revealed bilateral optic neuropathy, convergence insufficiency, and a right fourth nerve palsy. Genetic testing showed a homozygous pathogenic variant in GBE1 c.986A>C p.Tyr329Ser. Brother 2 developed progressive urinary symptoms in his 40s that were followed by cognitive deficits, length-dependent polyneuropathy, and lower extremity weakness in his 50s and 60s. He reported blurred vision, and neuro-ophthalmic evaluation revealed bilateral optic neuropathy. Genetic testing revealed the same variant as Brother 1, GBE1 c.986A>C p.Tyr329Ser. Brother 3 developed progressive urinary urgency and lower extremity weakness in his 50s followed by a length-dependent polyneuropathy in his 60s. He reported diplopia and blurry vision in his 70s. Neuro-ophthalmic assessment revealed bilateral optic neuropathy and convergence insufficiency. Genetic testing revealed the same variant as Brothers 1 and 2, GBE1 c.986A>C p.Tyr329Ser.

There is an array of afferent and efferent neuro-ophthalmic manifestations in APBD. Neuro-ophthalmic evaluation is crucial in evaluating and treating patients with APBD, particularly in those with visual dysfunction.