Mutations in the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene found to be uncommon in seven myoclonus-dystonia families.

Myoclonus-dystonia syndrome (MDS) is a disorder for which the major cause appears to be mutations in the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene (SGCE). The authors have now performed mutation screening in 22 affected individuals from seven families with findings of typical MDS. A novel 5-bp deletion in exon 7 of the gene in one family and the previously reported R102X nonsense mutation in exon 3 in two other families were identified. Mutations in the SGCE gene were found in the minority of families screened in this series.