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A genetic model for multimorbidity in young adults. Genet Med 2019; 22:132-141. [DOI: 10.1038/s41436-019-0603-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
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Huijbregts SC, Loitfelder M, Rombouts SA, Swaab H, Verbist BM, Arkink EB, Van Buchem MA, Veer IM. Cerebral volumetric abnormalities in Neurofibromatosis type 1: associations with parent ratings of social and attention problems, executive dysfunction, and autistic mannerisms. J Neurodev Disord 2015; 7:32. [PMID: 26473019 PMCID: PMC4607002 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-015-9128-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a single-gene neurodevelopmental disorder, in which social and cognitive problems are highly prevalent. Several commonly observed central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities in NF1 might underlie these social and cognitive problems. Cerebral volumetric abnormalities are among the most consistently observed CNS abnormalities in NF1. This study investigated whether differences were present between NF1 patients and healthy controls (HC) in volumetric measures of cortical and subcortical brain regions and whether differential associations existed for NF1 patients and HC between the volumetric measures and parent ratings of social skills, attention problems, social problems, autistic mannerisms, and executive dysfunction. Methods Fifteen NF1 patients (mean age 12.9 years, SD 2.6) and 18 healthy controls (HC, mean age 13.8 years, SD 3.6) underwent 3 T MRI scanning. Segmentation of cortical gray and white matter, as well as volumetry of subcortical nuclei, was carried out. Voxel-based morphometry was performed to assess cortical gray matter density. Correlations were calculated, for NF1-patients and HC separately, between MRI parameters and scores on selected dimensions of the following behavior rating scales: the Social Skills Rating System, the Child Behavior Checklist, the Social Responsiveness Scale, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning, and the Dysexecutive Questionnaire. Results After correction for age, sex, and intracranial volume, larger volumes of all subcortical regions were found in NF1 patients compared to controls. Patients further showed decreased gray matter density in midline regions of the frontal and parietal lobes and larger total white matter volume. Significantly more social and attention problems, more autistic mannerisms, and poorer executive functioning were reported for NF1 patients compared to HC. In NF1 patients, larger left putamen volume and larger total white matter volume were associated with more social problems and poorer executive functioning, larger right amygdala volume with poorer executive functioning and autistic mannerisms, and smaller precentral gyrus gray matter density was associated with more social problems. In controls, only significant negative correlations were observed: larger volumes (and greater gray matter density) were associated with better outcomes. Conclusions Widespread volumetric differences between patients and controls were found in cortical and subcortical brain regions. In NF1 patients but not HC, larger volumes were associated with poorer behavior ratings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Cj Huijbregts
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies-Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Faculty of Social Sciences, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marisa Loitfelder
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Serge A Rombouts
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hanna Swaab
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Berit M Verbist
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Enrico B Arkink
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mark A Van Buchem
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ilya M Veer
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Mind and Brain Research, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Fiori E, Babicola L, Andolina D, Coassin A, Pascucci T, Patella L, Han YC, Ventura A, Ventura R. Neurobehavioral Alterations in a Genetic Murine Model of Feingold Syndrome 2. Behav Genet 2015; 45:547-59. [PMID: 26026879 PMCID: PMC4561592 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-015-9724-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Feingold syndrome (FS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by microcephaly, short stature, digital anomalies, esophageal/duodenal atresia, facial dysmorphism, and various learning disabilities. Heterozygous deletion of the miR-17-92 cluster is responsible for a subset of FS (Feingold syndrome type 2, FS2), and the developmental abnormalities that characterize this disorder are partially recapitulated in mice that harbor a heterozygous deletion of this cluster (miR-17-92∆/+ mice). Although Feingold patients develop a wide array of learning disabilities, no scientific description of learning/cognitive disabilities, intellectual deficiency, and brain alterations have been described in humans and animal models of FS2. The aim of this study was to draw a behavioral profile, during development and in adulthood, of miR-17-92∆/+ mice, a genetic mouse model of FS2. Moreover, dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin tissue levels in the medial prefrontal cortex (mpFC), and Hippocampus (Hip) of miR-17-92∆/+ mice were analyzed.Our data showed decreased body growth and reduced vocalization during development. Moreover, selective deficits in spatial ability, social novelty recognition and memory span were evident in adult miR-17-92∆/+ mice compared with healthy controls (WT). Finally, we found altered dopamine as well as serotonin tissue levels, in the mpFC and Hip, respectively, of miR-17-92∆/+ in comparison with WT mice, thus suggesting a possible link between cognitive deficits and altered brain neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Fiori
- Dipartimento di Psicologia and Centro “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza - Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation, European Centre for Brain Research (CERC), Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - L. Babicola
- Santa Lucia Foundation, European Centre for Brain Research (CERC), Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biomediche, Università dell’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - D. Andolina
- Santa Lucia Foundation, European Centre for Brain Research (CERC), Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biomediche, Università dell’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - A. Coassin
- Dipartimento di Psicologia and Centro “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza - Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation, European Centre for Brain Research (CERC), Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - T. Pascucci
- Dipartimento di Psicologia and Centro “Daniel Bovet”, Sapienza - Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation, European Centre for Brain Research (CERC), Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - L. Patella
- Santa Lucia Foundation, European Centre for Brain Research (CERC), Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biomediche, Università dell’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Y.-C. Han
- Pfizer- Oncology, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - A. Ventura
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Cancer Biology & Genetics Program, New York, NY, USA
| | - R. Ventura
- Santa Lucia Foundation, European Centre for Brain Research (CERC), Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64, 00143 Rome, Italy
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Lingen M, Albers L, Borchers M, Haass S, Gärtner J, Schröder S, Goldbeck L, von Kries R, Brockmann K, Zirn B. Obtaining a genetic diagnosis in a child with disability: impact on parental quality of life. Clin Genet 2015; 89:258-66. [PMID: 26084449 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent progress in genetic testing has facilitated obtaining an etiologic diagnosis in children with developmental delay/intellectual disability (DD/ID) or multiple congenital anomalies (MCA) or both. Little is known about the benefits of diagnostic elucidation for affected families. We studied the impact of a genetic diagnosis on parental quality of life (QoL) using a validated semiquantitative questionnaire in families with a disabled child investigated by array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). We received completed questionnaires from 95 mothers and 76 fathers of 99 families. We used multivariate analysis for adjustment of potential confounders. Taken all 99 families together, maternal QoL score (percentile rank scale 51.05) was significantly lower than fathers' QoL (61.83, p = 0.01). Maternal QoL score was 20.17 [95% CI (5.49; 34.82)] percentile rank scales higher in mothers of children with diagnostic (n = 34) aCGH as opposed to mothers of children with inconclusive (n = 65) aCGH (Hedges' g = 0.71). Comparison of these QoL scores with retrospectively recalled QoL before aCGH revealed an increase of maternal QoL after diagnostic clarification. Our results indicate a benefit for maternal QoL if a genetic test, here aCGH, succeeds to clarify the etiologic diagnosis in a disabled child.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lingen
- Interdisciplinary Pediatric Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities and Severe Chronic Disorders, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - L Albers
- Institute of Social Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - M Borchers
- Interdisciplinary Pediatric Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities and Severe Chronic Disorders, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - S Haass
- Interdisciplinary Pediatric Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities and Severe Chronic Disorders, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - J Gärtner
- Interdisciplinary Pediatric Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities and Severe Chronic Disorders, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - S Schröder
- Interdisciplinary Pediatric Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities and Severe Chronic Disorders, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - L Goldbeck
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - R von Kries
- Institute of Social Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - K Brockmann
- Interdisciplinary Pediatric Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities and Severe Chronic Disorders, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - B Zirn
- Interdisciplinary Pediatric Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities and Severe Chronic Disorders, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Genetikum, Genetic Counselling and Diagnostics, Stuttgart, Germany
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Nowadays 7,000 rare diseases (RDs) have been identified with a prevalence less than 5/10,000. Despite of the enormous effort the European Union (EU) has already invested in this field, still 4,000 RDs remain orphan of genetic diagnosis and causative gene identification. The genetic definition of RDs represents a prerequisite for being diagnosed, for having a robust prevention, for entering in a specific standard of care, and ultimately, for being included in clinical trials, often via personalized medicine. It is well established that biomarkers can offer a way to speed up research by understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases. In particular, biomarkers will offer an invaluable tool for monitoring disease progression, prognosis and response to drug treatment. METHODS In this review, we summarize the different types of biomarkers and their importance as well as their translational applications in RDs. We have reviewed the current knowledge on biomarkers state-of-the-art via literature data, specific websites and EU sources regarding past, pending and current projects. RESULTS Here we provide a comprehensive scenario of biomarkers research, its applications in clinical practice, with special emphasis on translational research applicable to diagnostic and clinical trials. The experience of the EU project BIO-NMD is also mentioned. CONCLUSION Biomarkers represent key features in both diagnostics and research on rare diseases and will encounter wide exploitation in translational and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ferlini
- Section of Microbiology and Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Pino-Ángeles A, Reyes-Palomares A, Melgarejo E, Sánchez-Jiménez F. Histamine: an undercover agent in multiple rare diseases? J Cell Mol Med 2013; 16:1947-60. [PMID: 22435405 PMCID: PMC3822965 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2012.01566.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Histamine is a biogenic amine performing pleiotropic effects in humans, involving tasks within the immune and neuroendocrine systems, neurotransmission, gastric secretion, cell life and death, and development. It is the product of the histidine decarboxylase activity, and its effects are mainly mediated through four different G-protein coupled receptors. Thus, histamine-related effects are the results of highly interconnected and tissue-specific signalling networks. Consequently, alterations in histamine-related factors could be an important part in the cause of multiple rare/orphan diseases. Bearing this hypothesis in mind, more than 25 rare diseases related to histamine physiopathology have been identified using a computationally assisted text mining approach. These newly integrated data will provide insight to elucidate the molecular causes of these rare diseases. The data can also help in devising new intervention strategies for personalized medicine for multiple rare diseases.
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Laffin JJS, Raca G, Jackson CA, Strand EA, Jakielski KJ, Shriberg LD. Novel candidate genes and regions for childhood apraxia of speech identified by array comparative genomic hybridization. Genet Med 2012; 14:928-36. [PMID: 22766611 DOI: 10.1038/gim.2012.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The goal of this study was to identify new candidate genes and genomic copy-number variations associated with a rare, severe, and persistent speech disorder termed childhood apraxia of speech. Childhood apraxia of speech is the speech disorder segregating with a mutation in FOXP2 in a multigenerational London pedigree widely studied for its role in the development of speech-language in humans. METHODS A total of 24 participants who were suspected to have childhood apraxia of speech were assessed using a comprehensive protocol that samples speech in challenging contexts. All participants met clinical-research criteria for childhood apraxia of speech. Array comparative genomic hybridization analyses were completed using a customized 385K Nimblegen array (Roche Nimblegen, Madison, WI) with increased coverage of genes and regions previously associated with childhood apraxia of speech. RESULTS A total of 16 copy-number variations with potential consequences for speech-language development were detected in 12 or half of the 24 participants. The copy-number variations occurred on 10 chromosomes, 3 of which had two to four candidate regions. Several participants were identified with copy-number variations in two to three regions. In addition, one participant had a heterozygous FOXP2 mutation and a copy-number variation on chromosome 2, and one participant had a 16p11.2 microdeletion and copy-number variations on chromosomes 13 and 14. CONCLUSION Findings support the likelihood of heterogeneous genomic pathways associated with childhood apraxia of speech.
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