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. 2020 Jan 29;10:1413. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-58101-8

Table 2.

Notable cases where WES-based analysis conferred correct diagnoses or changed medical treatment strategies.

Initial clinical problem Causal gene Modified clinical interpretation (MIM number) Significance of WES-based patient evaluation (treatment) References
Developmental regression with Rett syndrome-like phenotype ST3GAL5 Salt and pepper developmental regression syndrome (#609056) Identified the molecular defect and established an accurate diagnosis 50,51
Hypotonia and motor delay followed by lower extremity weakness DYNC1H1 Spinal muscular atrophy, lower extremity-predominant 1, AD (#158600) Diagnosed a case with pleiotropic and evolving symptoms 52
Early onset hypotonia, sacral mass, congenital heart disease, and facial dysmorphism ASAH1 Farber lipogranulomatosis (#228000) Corrected a misdiagnosis 53
Ataxia followed by generalized dystonia ANO3 Expanded spectrum of dystonia 24 (#615034) Suggested a treatment strategy that resulted in gradual improvement within one year (deep brain stimulation) 54
Focal lower leg dystonia, dystonic gait SLC2A1 GLUT1 deficiency syndrome 2 (#612126) Identified disease-specific treatment that resulted in near-elimination of dystonia (ketogenic diet) 55
Leigh syndrome SLC19A3 Thiamine metabolism dysfunction syndrome 2 (#606152) Identified disease-specific treatment that resulted in clinical improvements in dystonia, spasticity, and cognitive function (supplements of thiamine and biotin) 56
Recurrent infections, telangiectatic skin mottling, and brain infarctions TMEM173 STING-associated vasculopathy, infantile-onset (#615934) Provided a rationale for a new treatment strategy that improved the skin lesions (tofacitinib treatment) 44
Severe global developmental delay, seizures, and acanthotic skin lesions RAB11B Neurodevelopmental disorder with ataxic gait, absent speech, and decreased cortical white matter (#617807) Identified a new disease gene leading to a neurodevelopmental syndrome 57