Clinical Description
TANGO2 deficiency is characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, TANGO2 spells, acute metabolic crises, and risk of cardiac crisis. Additional features can include seizures, hypothyroidism, exotropia, and constipation. To date, more than 100 individuals have been identified with biallelic pathogenic variants in TANGO2 [Kremer et al 2016, Lalani et al 2016, Dines et al 2019, Powell et al 2021, Schymick et al 2022, Miyake et al 2023]. The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on these reports.
Table 2.
TANGO2 Deficiency Disorder: Frequency of Select Features
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Feature | % of Persons w/Feature | Comment |
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Developmental delay
| 99% | Typically both motor & speech |
Speech difficulties
| 97% | Dysarthria, slurred or nasal speech |
Intellectual disability
| 97% | Typically mild to moderate |
TANGO2 spells
| 94% | Loss of balance, head & body tilt, dystonia, dysarthria, drooling, & lethargy |
Acute metabolic crises
| ~66% | Rhabdomyolysis, prolonged QTc on EKG |
Cardiac crises
| 41% | Ventricular arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, & cardiac arrest |
Seizures
| 40%-50% | |
Brain imaging abnormalities
| ~60% | Diffuse ventriculomegaly, cerebral volume loss, & diminished white matter |
Hypothyroidism
| 40%-50% | |
Exotropia
| 60% | |
Constipation
| 50% | |
Motor delays are generally seen by age one to two years. The median age of walking is about 16 months. Regression of developmental milestones such as walking is common after a metabolic crisis. Some individuals never achieve ambulation after an early metabolic crisis.
Spasticity of lower extremities, hyperreflexia, and clonus are also frequently seen. Poor coordination, progressively unsteady gait, and clumsiness are frequently reported in ambulatory individuals, even prior to the first episode of rhabdomyolysis [Powell et al 2021, Schymick et al 2022, Miyake et al 2023].
Speech delay/difficulties. Speech delay is common. There is variability in expressive language delay, with some individuals able to speak easily and others being nonverbal. Individuals who have had significant developmental regression secondary to metabolic crises can have severe language impairment.
Almost all individuals with TANGO2 deficiency have speech difficulties, including dysarthria and slurred or nasal speech.
Intellectual disability of variable severity is observed in almost all individuals. Most individuals have mild-to-moderate intellectual disability, although some have severe cognitive impairment.
TANGO2 spells (non-life-threatening paroxysmal neurologic episodes) occur in most individuals with TANGO2 deficiency. Onset is typically between ages one and three years. TANGO2 spells can be recognized by the sudden onset of hypotonia with loss of muscle control (e.g., clumsy gait, sudden falling while walking or sitting, inability to upright themselves after falling), head tilt (either to the side or back), body tilt, dystonia, abnormal posturing with hypertonicity, increased dysarthria, drooling, extreme fatigue, and disorientation. The episodes usually last for minutes to hours but can last for days and tend to resolve with rest. Episodes occur most often in the morning upon awakening, after exertion, and with decreased oral intake, illness, and exposure to warmer weather. TANGO2 spells can occur throughout life but are more common in toddlers and may increase during puberty. TANGO2 spells are not associated with metabolic derangements such as elevated creatine phosphokinase (CK), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) and/or hypoglycemia; EKG changes do not occur during TANGO2 spells [Miyake et al 2023].
Acute metabolic crises. The acute presentation varies from significant muscle weakness and/or pain, ataxia, and disorientation to a comatose state. Acute metabolic crises are frequently precipitated by reduced oral intake or fasting, dehydration, or febrile illness. Cryptic infections such as a tooth abscess can trigger an acute metabolic crisis. In a natural history study of 73 individuals with TANGO2 deficiency, approximately two thirds of individuals presented in acute metabolic crisis, with the first episode occurring at a median age of three years (range: age five months to 20 years) [Miyake et al 2022].
Individuals present with rhabdomyolysis with elevated CK, ALT, and AST and may have dark urine due to myoglobinuria. Complications from rhabdomyolysis are not common, even though CK levels can be significantly elevated in some individuals (>200,000 U/L). Severe hypoglycemia can be present in addition to mild hyperammonemia, elevated aldolase, elevated troponin, elevated lactate, and evidence of ketoacidosis and lactic acidosis on urine organic acids. Although an acylcarnitine profile during an acute metabolic crisis may show elevated C14:1, C14:2, and C16:1, no consistent acylcarnitine abnormalities have been identified in large studies [Bérat et al 2021, Schymick et al 2022, Miyake et al 2023].
While cardiac workup including EKG is normal at baseline, during an acute metabolic crisis, EKG changes are noted. The most common EKG finding is prolonged QTc that is often markedly prolonged (>500 msec). Transient type 1 Brugada pattern can also be seen in 33% of individuals.
B-complex vitamins or multivitamins may prevent metabolic crises in individuals with TANGO2 deficiency [Miyake et al 2023].
Cardiac crisis is defined by the development of ventricular arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy (heart failure), or cardiac arrest during an acute metabolic crisis. Cardiac crisis only occurs during metabolic crisis, affecting 65% of all individuals with acute metabolic crises in the natural history study [Miyake et al 2023].
During cardiac crisis, life-threatening recalcitrant ventricular tachycardia (VT) or torsade de pointes can occur, leading to hemodynamic instability and cardiac arrest. These events can occur when an individual is acutely ill but also in those who appear stable with improving CK levels. The presence of marked QTc prolongation, type I Brugada pattern, and ventricular ectopy are concerning, as they precede VT (QTc >500 msec is associated with an increased risk of torsade de pointes). VT is difficult to control, often unresponsive to typical anti-arrhythmic therapy, and once VT occurs it may result in cardiac arrest and death. Cardiac arrest has been reported in almost 75% of individuals in cardiac crisis.
Ventricular arrhythmias and unexplained cardiovascular collapse during crises are the leading causes of mortality. Unexplained sudden death during sleep not associated with metabolic crisis has also been reported [Hoebeke et al 2021, Miyake et al 2022].
Affected individuals can also demonstrate echocardiographic changes during metabolic crisis, including ventricular dilatation and heart failure (systolic dysfunction). About 70% of those in cardiac crisis can develop heart failure. Systolic dysfunction can develop rapidly, and systolic function should be monitored closely during crisis. Both arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy are reversible, and full recovery is possible if the crisis resolves [Miyake et al 2022]. Heart failure (systolic dysfunction) has not yet been reported in individuals who are not experiencing a cardiac crisis; however, heart transplantation has been performed in one individual, and long-term cardiac follow up among all affected individuals is lacking [Meisner et al 2020].
Supraventricular tachycardias and heart block have also been rarely reported.
Seizures are observed outside the periods of crisis in approximately 40%-50% of individuals [Schymick et al 2022, Miyake et al 2023]. A variety of seizure types have been reported, including myoclonic and tonic-clonic events. Other seizure types included generalized tonic, atonic, absence, and focal motor seizures. Infantile spasms have been reported in a few individuals. Seizures are generally responsive to anti-seizure medications, although about one third of affected individuals have drug-resistant epilepsy [Dines et al 2019, Miyake et al 2023].
Brain imaging abnormalities. Prominent lateral ventricles and progressive brain atrophy on MRI examination have been reported in several affected individuals. While some older individuals have normal brain imaging studies, generalized cerebral atrophy has been described even in young infants with early disease presentation. Microcephaly has been seen in about 20% of affected individuals.
Hypothyroidism. Elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with low or low-normal free thyroxine are seen, consistent with primary hypothyroidism. Affected individuals are typically diagnosed with hypothyroidism during acute crises with evaluation for muscle weakness or altered mental status. Hypothyroidism has also been identified in individuals without a history of metabolic crisis.
Ophthalmologic manifestations. Intermittent exotropia has been observed in affected individuals and appears to worsen with fatigue, illness, TANGO2 spells, and metabolic crises. Rarely, optic atrophy has been identified.
Gastrointestinal concerns. Constipation is common and affects approximately 50% of individuals. TANGO2 spell manifestations are more common when constipation is more severe. Dysphagia and episodic worsening of swallow function have been observed during TANGO2 spells and metabolic crises, increasing the risk of aspiration due to inability to manage secretions and liquids. Delayed gastric emptying with gastrointestinal dysmotility have also been reported during crises. Some individuals require gastrostomy tube feeding, particularly if maintaining feedings is difficult during times of illness and even at baseline [Dines et al 2019, Miyake et al 2022].
Hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss has been described in rare instances.