NORD gratefully acknowledges Michael F. Goldberg, MD, MPH, Co-Founder and President, RYR-1 Foundation, for the preparation of this report.
Summary
RYR-1-related diseases are conditions caused by changes (mutations) in the RYR-1 gene. RYR-1 mutations are typically associated with core myopathies and are the most common overall cause of congenital myopathy. A myopathy can cause “static” or “dynamic” symptoms. “Static” symptoms are present at all times (weakness, motor delay, difficulties walking, scoliosis, facial weakness, ophthalmoparesis [eye muscle weakness], inability to climb stairs, etc.). “Dynamic” symptoms are transient based on certain triggers or precipitants (malignant hyperthermia, exercise induced breakdown of skeletal muscle [rhabdomyolysis], myalgia [muscle pain], muscle cramps, fatigue, etc.). Individuals with RYR-1-related diseases can experience “static” symptoms, “dynamic” symptoms, or a combination of both.
The term "congenital myopathy" refers to a group of muscle conditions that are caused by a genetic mutation that you are born with. The RYR-1 gene provides instructions for production of the RYR-1 receptor. The RYR-1 receptor is a channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle cells that regulates the flow of calcium, a critical component of muscle contraction. A reduced number and/or abnormal RYR-1 receptors can lead to dysfunctional muscle contraction, weakness, susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, as well as other exercise- and/or heat-induced symptoms. There is a wide range of symptoms for RYR-1-related muscle weakness, but they are typically either non-progressive or very slowly progressive.
Common symptoms related to muscle weakness include weakness of the eye muscles (opthalmoparesis) and generalized muscle weakness, typically affecting the muscles closest to the torso of the body (proximal muscle weakness). Some individuals experience muscle cramping and pain, reduced exercise tolerance, and intolerance to heat.
Breathing problems associated with RYR-1-related diseases can range from non-existent to severe and are due to weakness in the muscles of the chest wall. Mild breathing problems can include sleep apnea, requiring breathing support during sleep (CPAP/BiPAP). Severe breathing problems require continuous support via mechanical ventilation.
Mutations in the RYR-1 gene have also been associated with susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia (MH), a severe and potentially fatal reaction to certain types of anesthesia (sedating or paralyzing drugs given by a doctor for medical/surgical procedures). Anyone with an RYR-1 gene mutation should take “malignant hyperthermia precautions” if anesthesia is required for a medical/surgical procedure. In addition, there are case reports of “wake MH”–i.e. an episode of MH that is unrelated to the administration of anesthesia.
RYR-1-related diseases are due to a mutation or mutations in the RYR-1 gene. The RYR-1 gene encodes the RYR-1 receptor, a calcium channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle; the flow of calcium through the RYR-1 receptor is a critical component of excitation-contraction coupling to initiate muscle contraction. A mutation in the RYR-1 gene can alter the number, structure, and/or function of the RYR-1 receptor, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms, as detailed above. There are many different mutations that can occur in the RYR-1 gene which have differing clinical consequences.
There are two main types of inheritance patterns for changes in the RYR-1 gene: autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant. In understanding inheritance patterns of a genetic disease, it should be remembered that all individuals have two “copies” of each gene, one inherited from the mother and one from the father. Recessive means that both copies (alleles) of the gene must have mutations for the patient to be affected clinically; if only one allele possesses a mutation, the patient will be a carrier and will generally not be affected clinically. Dominant means that only one allele of the gene must possess a mutation for the individual to be clinically affected.
There is a third inheritance pattern, called spontaneous or de novo mutations. These are the terms used when the mutation in the affected individual’s RYR-1 gene is not present in either parent.
RYR-1-related diseases are classified as an orphan disease. The prevalence is approximately 1/90,000 in the United States. The disorder most likely goes misdiagnosed or undiagnosed making it difficult to determine the true frequency in the general population. There are also reports of slightly increased prevalence in certain ethnic and geographic populations.
The most definitive diagnostic test for RYR-1-related diseases is genetic testing. A genetic test is often ordered due to clinical suspicion related to clinical signs and symptoms, family history, muscle biopsy, and muscle MRI. Muscle biopsy evaluates for changes in the muscle cell that may be associated with mutations in the RYR-1 gene (e.g. CCD, MMD, CNM, CFTD). Muscle MRI allows the physician to evaluate for muscle damage throughout the body, with varying patterns being associated with various forms of muscular dystrophies and myopathies, including subtypes of RYR-1 myopathy.
Treatment
At this time, no cure or treatment exists for RYR-1 myopathy.
For acute episodes of MH, dantrolene is administered emergently. In addition, for affected individuals with a history of rhabdomyolysis and/or exertional or heat-related muscle symptoms, dantrolene has been reported as a prophylactic agent. Please consult with your physician.
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: [email protected]
Some current clinical trials also are posted on the following page on the NORD website:
https://rarediseases.org/for-patients-and-families/information-resources/news-patient-recruitment/
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com
For information about clinical trials conducted in Europe, contact:
https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Jungbluth H, Dowling JJ, Ferreiro A, et al. 217th ENMC international workshop: RYR1-related myopathies, naarden, the netherlands, 29-31 january 2016. Neuromuscular Disorders 2016;26:624-633.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960896616302504
Voermans NC, Snoeck M, Jungbluth H. RYR1-related rhabdomyolysis: a common but probably undiagnosed manifestation of skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor dysfunction. Revue Neurologique 2016;172:546-558. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0035378716301230
Bharucha-Goebel DX, Santi M, Medne L, et al. Severe congenital RYR1-associated myopathy the expanding clinicopathologic and genetic spectrum. Neurology 2013;80:1584-1589.
http://www.neurology.org/content/80/17/1584
Snoeck M, van Engelen BGM, Küsters B, et al. RYR1-related myopathies: a wide spectrum of phenotypes throughout life. European Journal of Neurology 2015;22:1094-1112.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ene.12713/full
Amburgey K, Bailey A, Hwang JH. Genotype-phenotype correlations in recessive RYR1-related myopathies. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 2013;8:1-12.
https://ojrd.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1750-1172-8-117
Bellinger AM, Reiken S, Dura M, et al. Remodeling of ryanodine receptor complex causes “leaky” channels: a molecular mechanism for decreased exercise capacity. PNAS 2008;105:2198-2202.
http://www.pnas.org/content/suppl/2008/02/22/0711074105.DC1
Witherspoon JW, Meilleur KG. Review of RyR1 pathway and associated pathomechanisms. Acta Neuropathologica Communications 2016;4:1-20.
https://actaneurocomms.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40478-016-0392-6
Riazi S, Kraeva N, Muldoon SM, et al. Malignant hyperthermia and the clinical significance of type-1 ryanodine receptor gene (RYR1) variants: proceedings of the 2013 MHAUS scientific conference. Springer 2014.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12630-014-0227-5
INTERNET
McKusick VA., ed. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). Baltimore. MD: The Johns Hopkins University; Entry No: 180901; Last Update:08/30/2016. Available at: omim.org/entry/180901 Accessed June 20, 2017.
McKusick VA., ed. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). Baltimore. MD: The Johns Hopkins University; Entry No: 117000; Last Update:08/12/16. Available at: omim.org/entry/117000 Accessed June 20, 2017.
McKusick VA., ed. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). Baltimore. MD: The Johns Hopkins University; Entry No: 145600; Last Update: 03/02/2017. Available at: omim.org/entry/145600 Accessed June 20, 2017.
Malicdan MCV, Nishino I. Central Core Disease. 2007 May 16 [Updated 2014 Dec 4]. In: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2017. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1391/ Accessed July 6, 2017.
Central Core Disease. Genetics Home Reference. Reviewed Oct. 2007. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/central-core-disease. Accessed July 10, 2017.
Beggs AH, Agrawal PB. Multiminicore Disease. 2003 Mar 25 [Updated 2013 Jan 24]. In: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2017. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1290/ Accessed Jul 6, 2017.
Multiminicore Disease. Genetics Home Reference.Reviewed Oct. 2007.https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/multiminicore-disease Accessed July 10, 2017.
DeChene ET, Kang PB, Beggs AH. Congenital Fiber-Type Disproportion. 2007 Jan 12 [Updated 2013 Apr 11]. In: Pagon RA, Adam MP, Ardinger HH, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2017. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1259/ Accessed July 6, 2017.
Congenital Fiber-Type Disproportion. Genetics Home Reference. Reviewed May 2016. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/congenital-fiber-type-disproportion Accessed July 10, 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions about Malignanat Hyperthermia.Malignanct Hyperthermia Association of the US. http://www.mhaus.org/faqs/. Accessed June 20, 2017.
Centronuclear Myopathy. Genetics Home Reference. Reviewed Nov. 2015. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/centronuclear-myopathy#. Accessed June 20, 2017.
MULTIMEDIA
RYR-1 International Family Conference 2016. www.ryr1.org/conference Accessed June 20, 2017.
The information in NORD’s Rare Disease Database is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional.
The content of the website and databases of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is copyrighted and may not be reproduced, copied, downloaded or disseminated, in any way, for any commercial or public purpose, without prior written authorization and approval from NORD. Individuals may print one hard copy of an individual disease for personal use, provided that content is unmodified and includes NORD’s copyright.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
55 Kenosia Ave., Danbury CT 06810 • (203)744-0100