Rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism: A fourth family consistent with linkage to chromosome 19q13

Rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism (RDP, DYT12, MIM 128235) is a rare autosomal dominant movement disorder characterized by abrupt onset of slow, dystonic movements and prominent bulbar features. Three families and 1 isolated case have been described in the literature, and linkage to markers on chromosome 19q13 have been reported. Here, we describe the clinical features in a fourth family (the second in Europe) with 4 affected members, suggesting that RDP may be misdiagnosed for years and/or may mimic other dystonic/parkinsonian syndromes. By using haplotype analysis, we show that the family is consistent with linkage to markers on chromosome 19q13.