Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency: An Update
Miroslava Didiasova,
Antje Banning,
Heiko Brennenstuhl,
Sabine Jung-Klawitter,
Claudio Cinquemani,
Thomas Opladen,
Ritva Tikkanen
Affiliations
Miroslava Didiasova
Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Antje Banning
Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Heiko Brennenstuhl
Division of Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, Department of General Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Sabine Jung-Klawitter
Division of Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, Department of General Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Claudio Cinquemani
SSADH-Defizit e.V., Leipziger Platz 5, 50733 Cologne, Germany
Thomas Opladen
Division of Neuropediatrics and Metabolic Medicine, Department of General Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Ritva Tikkanen
Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADH-D) is a genetic disorder that results from the aberrant metabolism of the neurotransmitter γ-amino butyric acid (GABA). The disease is caused by impaired activity of the mitochondrial enzyme succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase. SSADH-D manifests as varying degrees of mental retardation, autism, ataxia, and epileptic seizures, but the clinical picture is highly heterogeneous. So far, there is no approved curative therapy for this disease. In this review, we briefly summarize the molecular genetics of SSADH-D, the past and ongoing clinical trials, and the emerging features of the molecular pathogenesis, including redox imbalance and mitochondrial dysfunction. The main aim of this review is to discuss the potential of further therapy approaches that have so far not been tested in SSADH-D, such as pharmacological chaperones, read-through drugs, and gene therapy. Special attention will also be paid to elucidating the role of patient advocacy organizations in facilitating research and in the communication between researchers and patients.
