POLD exhibits noninflammatory demyelination of axons with initial symptoms of euphoria, apathy, headache, and executive dysfunction. While HDLS is autosomal dominant, some families with POLD have features that suggest autosomal recessive inheritance. Nevertheless, POLD has recently been shown to have the same genetic basis as HDLS. Clinical and genealogic studies
To gain a better understanding of the disease, researchers have retrospectively reviewed medical records of probands and others who were assessed through clinical examinations or questionnaires. Blood samples are collected from the families of the probands for genetic testing. These family members are assessed using their standard medical history, on their progression of Parkinsons like symptoms (Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale), and on their progression of cognitive impairment such as dementia (Folstein Test). Neuroimaging
Standard MRI scans have been performed on 1.5 Tesla scanners with 5 mm thickness and 5 mm spacing to screen for white matter lesions in identified families. If signal intensities of the MRI scans are higher in white matter regions than in grey matter regions, the patient is considered to be at risk for HDLS, although a number of other disorders can also produce white matter changes and the findings are not diagnostic without genetic testing or pathologic confirmation. Pathology
Tissue sections from brain biopsies or autopsy brains are commonly embedded in paraffin from which sections are cut an mounted on glass slides for histologic studies.
Complications
Arrhythmias
Pulmonary edema
Peripheral emboli
Spread (metastasis) of the tumor
Blockage of the mitral heart valve
Stroke
Fusiform cerebral aneurysms

Causes
Myxomata are the most common type of adult primary heart tumor. Most myxomata arise sporadically (90%), and only about 10% are thought to arise due to inheritance.About 10% of myxomata are inherited, as in Carney syndrome. Such tumors are called familial myxomata. They tend to occur in more than one part of the heart at a time, and often cause symptoms at a younger age than other myxomata. Other abnormalities are observed in people with Carney syndrome include skin myxomata, pigmentation, endocrine hyperactivity, schwannomas and epithelioid blue nevi. Myxomata are more common in women than men. Diagnosis
A doctor will listen to the heart with a stethoscope. A "tumor plop" (a sound related to movement of the tumor), abnormal heart sounds, or a murmur similar to the mid-diastolic rumble of mitral stenosis may be heard. These sounds may change when the patient changes position.Right atrial myxomata rarely produce symptoms until they have grown to be at least 13 cm (about 5 inches) wide.Tests may include:
Echocardiogram and Doppler study
Chest x-ray
CT scan of chest
Heart MRI
Left heart angiography
Right heart angiography
ECG—may show atrial fibrillationBlood tests:

Blood tests: An FBC may show anemia and increased WBCs (white blood cells). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is usually increased. Blood tests: An FBC may show anemia and increased WBCs (white blood cells). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is usually increased. Treatment
The surgery is treatment of choice, tumor must be surgically removed. Some patients will also need their mitral valve replaced.