New X-linked syndrome with apraxia, ataxia, and mental deficiency: clinical, cytogenetic and neuropsychological studies in two Danish families.

In 2 unrelated families 9 males presented with ataxia, apraxia, and neuropsychological abnormalities or mental deficiency, inherited as an X-linked recessive syndrome with partial clinical expression in obligate female carriers. The symptoms were present in early childhood and were non-progressive. Additional findings in 2 males were congenital "club-feet" and generalized seizures. The affected males were 13-62 years old at the time of our examination. Chromosome abnormalities including fragile X fra(X) could not be demonstrated in any case. Results of metabolic screenings were also normal. The clinical picture with X-linked recessive inheritance distinguishes this syndrome from previously described inherited hereditary ataxias.