The first Indian-origin family with genetically proven cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL).

We report the first family of Indian origin known to be affected by cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). Seventeen members of the family spanning 3 generations had neurologic syndromes compatible with CADASIL, of whom 5 were genetically confirmed carriers of the Notch3 gene R141C mutation in exon 4 (421(C→T) and 141(Cys→Arg)). Our report highlights that CADASIL not only occurs sporadically in South Asians, but also may account for stroke in South Asians with a strong family history. Furthermore, the similarity of clinical presentations described here to those typical for Caucasian case series suggests that the CADASIL phenotype is preserved across racial groups.