Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder causing progressive generalized dystonia characterized by neurodegeneration and brain iron accumulation (NBIA) due to pantothenate kinase 2 (PANK2) gene mutations.1 The radiological hallmark of PKAN, the “eye-of-the-tiger” sign, characterized by bilateral hypointensity with central hyperintensity in the globus pallidus on T2-weighted brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) may be absent in some cases.2 Hence, clinicians may rely on phenotypic clues to aid diagnosis. Despite genetic advances, treatment for NBIA remains symptomatic. Bilateral globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS) has been successful in PKAN patients refractory generalized dystonia.3 Herein we report a case of an atypical PKAN patient with severe dystonic opisthotonus and absent eye-of-the-tiger sign who obtained significant improvement following bilateral GPi-DBS.

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) are highly heterogenous group of neurodegenerative diseases causing progressive cerebellar dysfunction. We report the first description of relative frequencies of the common SCA mutations and of phenotypic characteristics of SCA3 patients among Malaysians. Pooled data from adult Malaysian patients who had undergone genetic testing for SCA 1,2,3,6 and 7 at UKM Medical Centre and Institute for Medical Research from 2017 to 2020 were analysed. Fifteen patients with SCA 3 had detailed clinical phenotype evaluation using Inventory for Non -Ataxia Signs (INAS) and Ataxia Severity evaluation using the Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA). Out of 152 adults patients who were tested for common SCA mutations, 64(42.1%) patients were tested positive for either SCA 1,2,3,6 or 7. Of the 64 positive cases, 44 (68.9%) patients were diagnosed with SCA 3 followed by SCA 2 in 13(20.3%) patients and SCA 1 in 5 (7.8%) patients. Our findings suggest that Malay race had the highest frequency of SCA (n = 34, 50%), followed by the Chinese (n = 16, 23.5%) and approximately 60 (93.8%) SCA patients had first degree family history. In conclusion, SCA 3 is the commonest SCA in Malaysia, followed by SCA 2 and SCA 1. It is important to develop a proper registry of SCA patients to further understand the true prevalence and local impact of the disease in Malaysia.