Reza Maroofian
@reza-maroofian.bsky.social
240 followers 240 following 14 posts
Geneticist at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology @UCLIoN. Interested in Rare Diseases, Medical Genetics, Neurogenetics & Genomic Medicine.
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reza-maroofian.bsky.social
Our new study characterises ELFN1 deficiency as a novel autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder marked by epilepsy, GDD/ID, & movement disorders. Biallelic ELFN1 variants disrupt synaptic protein trafficking to the cell surface—validated through functional assays and mouse/zebrafish models.
gimjournal.bsky.social
Neurogenetics alert! Biallelic loss of function variants in ELFN1 cause a neurodevelopmental disorder with DD/ID, seizures and movement disorder. bit.ly/4lLrZ46
reza-maroofian.bsky.social
We define the recessive ELOVL1-related disorder, part of an emerging group of neurocutaneous syndromes caused by biallelic ELOVL1/4 variants. Monoallelic ELOVL1/4/5 variants lead to spastic paraplegia & ataxia. These genes encode enzymes that elongate very-long-chain fatty acids. loom.ly/wwx-XQ4
Biallelic ELOVL1 Variants Are Linked to Hypomyelinating Leukodystrophy, Movement Disorder, and Ichthyosis
Background Very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are an integral component of myelin and the epidermal water barrier. Variants in genes encoding enzymes responsible for catalyzing the first and rate ...
loom.ly
Reposted by Reza Maroofian
brain1878.bsky.social
The dystonin gene encodes three major isoforms: DST-a, -b, and -e. Jacob et al. report that variants exclusively affecting DST-b cause an autosomal recessive congenital myopathy, while variants that also affect DST-a cause a lethal contracture syndrome. tinyurl.com/3p99pu9j
reza-maroofian.bsky.social
We define the critical role of the LGI1–ADAM22/23 pathway in developmental & epileptic encephalopathy (DEE)—essential for regulating synaptic transmission and brain excitability. Previously linked ADAM22 to DEE, now we report ultra-rare biallelic LGI1 & ADAM23 variants causing lethal DEE.
brain1878.bsky.social
Hirano et al. define a novel neurological disease spectrum involving the LGI1–ADAM22/23 pathway, identifying ultra-rare biallelic LGI1 variants in developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, and a biallelic ADAM23 variant in lethal neonatal epilepsy. tinyurl.com/4cpc48fy
reza-maroofian.bsky.social
Loss of XRCC1 disrupts cerebellar development in zebrafish due to toxic PARP1 accumulation. Strikingly, parp1 knockdown rescues the XRCC1 phenotype, supporting PARP1 inhibition as a potential therapy in recessive XRCC1-related neurodegenerative disorders with ataxia. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Parp1 deletion rescues cerebellar hypotrophy in xrcc1 mutant zebrafish - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Parp1 deletion rescues cerebellar hypotrophy in xrcc1 mutant zebrafish
www.nature.com
reza-maroofian.bsky.social
We previously reported a novel recessive pediatric neurodegenerative disorder linked to BORCS8. Now, we identify another BORC complex subunit, BORCS5, as a new disease gene causing a broader neurodevelopmental & neurodegenerative spectrum with clear genotype–phenotype correlation. Read the preprint:
medrxivpreprint.bsky.social
Pathogenic variants in BORCS5 Cause a Spectrum of Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders with Lysosomal Dysfunction https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.04.30.25326597v1
reza-maroofian.bsky.social
Our lab characterises the autosomal recessive TRMT1-related neurodevelopmental disorder through a large cohort, patient-derived cells, and zebrafish model—linking defective tRNA methylation to intellectual disability and expanding the emerging group of "tRNAopathies". www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltex...
Biallelic pathogenic variants in TRMT1 disrupt tRNA modification and induce a neurodevelopmental disorder
We identify bi-allelic variants in TRMT1, encoding a tRNA-modification enzyme, that cause intellectual disability and developmental delay. Functional studies in human cells and zebrafish provide insig...
www.cell.com
Reposted by Reza Maroofian
uclqsion.bsky.social
For #RareDiseaseDay2025, @qs-neurogenetics.bsky.social is celebrating the invaluable contributions of our international collaborators, whose dedication is driving ground-breaking advancements in rare disease research across the globe. ucl.ac.uk/ion/news/202...
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Reposted by Reza Maroofian
braincomms.bsky.social
Prof. Shamima Rahman comments on ‘Biallelic NDUFA13 variants lead to a neurodevelopmental phenotype with gradual neurological impairment’ by Kaiyrzhanov et al, highlighting NDUFA13 deficiency in Leigh syndrome, linking neuroinflammation & imaging. Please read at: buff.ly/3D5Dtyf
reza-maroofian.bsky.social
NDUFA13, a mitochondrial complex I subunit, was linked to complex I deficiency in only 3 patients. We now report 10 more cases, expanding the phenotypic spectrum, consolidating its role, & comparing it with other complex I deficiency subtypes. Please Check our paper: academic.oup.com/braincomms/a...
Biallelic NDUFA13 variants lead to a neurodevelopmental phenotype with gradual neurological impairment
Kaiyrzhanov et al. provide a cumulative phenotype characterization of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 1 alpha subcomplex 13 (NDUFA13)-related disease descri
academic.oup.com
reza-maroofian.bsky.social
We report 35 patients with biallelic RBL2 loss-of-function variants presenting with developmental delay/intellectual disability, hypotonia, seizures, microcephaly & brain abnormalities. Drosophila models recapitulate key features & suggest RBL2 re-expression may help rescue neurological symptoms.
reza-maroofian.bsky.social
In 2021, we identified a rare VWA1 founder mutation in UK & Western European populations, linked to neuromuscular disorder but elusive due to low genomic coverage. We now report an expanded phenotypic spectrum in a global cohort with this recurrent mutation & other VWA1 variants.
braincomms.bsky.social
Nagy et al. report that VWA1-related motor neuropathy is linked to 11 novel mutations and diverse symptoms, including hypermobility and upper motor neuron signs. This highlights the importance of understanding genetic and phenotypic variability to improve diagnosis. Read at: https://buff.ly/3ZZy57v
Reposted by Reza Maroofian
rauankaiyrzhanov.bsky.social
Pioneering genomic insights into rare pediatric neurological diseases in Central Asia & Transcaucasia! Our Nature Genetics correspondence highlights the CAT-Genomics consortium's impact in underrepresented regions, advancing diagnoses & novel discoveries.
bit.ly/3V6lUE3
Elucidating the genomic basis of rare pediatric neurological diseases in Central Asia and Transcaucasia - Nature Genetics
Nature Genetics - Elucidating the genomic basis of rare pediatric neurological diseases in Central Asia and Transcaucasia
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