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Jenner L, Richards C, Howard R, Moss J. Heterogeneity of Autism Characteristics in Genetic Syndromes: Key Considerations for Assessment and Support. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS REPORTS 2023; 10:132-146. [PMID: 37193200 PMCID: PMC10169182 DOI: 10.1007/s40474-023-00276-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Elevated prevalence of autism characteristics is reported in genetic syndromes associated with intellectual disability. This review summarises recent evidence on the behavioural heterogeneity of autism in the following syndromes: Fragile X, Cornelia de Lange, Williams, Prader-Willi, Angelman, Down, Smith-Magenis, and tuberous sclerosis complex. Key considerations for assessment and support are discussed. Recent Findings The profile and developmental trajectory of autism-related behaviour in these syndromes indicate some degree of syndrome specificity which may interact with broader behavioural phenotypes (e.g. hypersociability), intellectual disability, and mental health (e.g. anxiety). Genetic subtype and co-occurring epilepsy within syndromes contribute to increased significance of autism characteristics. Autism-related strengths and challenges are likely to be overlooked or misunderstood using existing screening/diagnostic tools and criteria, which lack sensitivity and specificity within these populations. Summary Autism characteristics are highly heterogeneous across genetic syndromes and often distinguishable from non-syndromic autism. Autism diagnostic assessment practices in this population should be tailored to specific syndromes. Service provisions must begin to prioritise needs-led support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Jenner
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, England
| | | | - Rachel Howard
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, England
| | - Joanna Moss
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, England
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Ajmone PF, Giani L, Allegri B, Michelini G, Dall'Ara F, Rigamonti C, Monti F, Vizziello PG, Selicorni A, Milani D, Scaini S, Costantino A. The developmental trajectories of the behavioral phenotype and neuropsychiatric functioning in Cornelia de Lange and Rubinstein Taybi syndromes: A longitudinal study. Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:424-436. [PMID: 36373849 PMCID: PMC10099472 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Several changes in the behavioral phenotype arise with the growth of children affected by Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) and Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (RSTS). However, previous research relied on a cross-sectional study design turning into age-related comparisons of different syndromic cohorts to explore age-dependent changes. We aim to outline the variating pathways of the neuropsychiatric functioning across the lifespan in CdLS and RSTS, through the setting up of a longitudinal study design. The sample included 14 patients with CdLS and 15 with RSTS. The assessments were carried out in two different timepoints. Our findings highlight that the cognitive profile of CdLS is subjected to a worsening trend with decreasing Intellectual Quotient (IQ) scores from T0 to T1, whereas RSTS shows a stable IQ over time. Patients affected by RSTS show greater improvements compared to CdLS in communication, daily living skills, social abilities, and motor skills across the lifespan. Both syndromes report an upward trend in behavioral and emotional difficulties even if CdLS exhibit a significant and major deterioration compared to individuals with RSTS. Being aware of the early dysfunctional patterns which might pave the way for later neuropsychiatric impairments is the first step for planning preventive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Francesca Ajmone
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Ludovica Giani
- Child and Youth Lab, Sigmund Freud University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice Allegri
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Dall'Ara
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Rigamonti
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Monti
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Giovanna Vizziello
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Donatella Milani
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Scaini
- Child and Youth Lab, Sigmund Freud University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Costantino
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Giani L, Michelini G, Ajmone PF, Scaini S, Selicorni A, Vizziello P, Costantino A. Age-related hallmarks of psychopathology in Cornelia de Lange and Rubinstein-Taybi syndromes. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2022; 126:104235. [PMID: 35468572 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM There is mounting evidence highlighting that Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) and Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome's (RSTS) behavioral phenotypes are not stable over individual developmental trajectories and that several psychiatric disorders might arise with age. Our study aims to examine the specific hallmarks of psychopathology and behavioral phenotypes in four different age ranges: infancy and toddlerhood, early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence, in both genetic syndromes. METHOD The sample included 44 patients with CdLS (48% boys, age = 6.67 ± 4.36) and 31 with RSTS (48% boys, age = 6.89 ± 4.58) recruited through follow-ups. Cognitive, behavioral, and autism assessments were carried out with Griffith's scales or the Leiter-R, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Child Autism Rating Scales 2. Multiple ANOVA 2 × 4 were run to outline behavioral phenotypic age-related syndromic markers and ANCOVA to value the weight of IQ and ASD-related traits on the psychopathological outcome. RESULTS Findings showed that anxiety is a crucial phenotypic hallmark, independent of IQ but associated with autistic traits, that increases from infancy to adolescence in both CdLS and RSTS. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Being aware of the developmental challenges that growing children are called to face is essential for drawing up proper standards of assessment turning into target age-related interventions, ensuring these patients personalized healthcare and improvement in life quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Giani
- Child and Youth Lab, Sigmund Freud University of Milan, Via Ripa di Porta Ticinese 77, 20143 Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Michelini
- Child and Youth Lab, Sigmund Freud University of Milan, Via Ripa di Porta Ticinese 77, 20143 Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Francesca Ajmone
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Pace 9, Milan, Italy.
| | - Simona Scaini
- Child and Youth Lab, Sigmund Freud University of Milan, Via Ripa di Porta Ticinese 77, 20143 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Paola Vizziello
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Pace 9, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Costantino
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Pace 9, Milan, Italy
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Edwards G, Jones C, Pearson E, Royston R, Oliver C, Tarver J, Crawford H, Shelley L, Waite J. Prevalence of anxiety symptomatology and diagnosis in syndromic intellectual disability: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104719. [PMID: 35661754 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with syndromic intellectual disability are at increased risk of experiencing anxiety. Comparing prevalence estimates of anxiety will allow the identification of at-risk groups and inform causal pathways of anxiety. No known study has explored estimates of anxiety symptomatology and diagnosis, including specific anxiety profiles, across groups whilst accounting for methodological quality of studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to fill this gap. Prior to review completion, methodology and analysis plans were registered and documented in a protocol (CRD42019123561). Data from 83 papers, involving a pooled sample of 13,708 across eight syndromes were synthesised using a random effects model. Anxiety prevalence ranged from 9 % (95 % CI: 4-14) in Down syndrome to 73% in Rett syndrome (95 % CI: 70-77). Anxiety prevalence across syndromic intellectual disability was higher than for intellectual disability of mixed aetiology and general population estimates. Substantial variability between syndromes identified groups at higher risk than others. The identification of high-risk groups is crucial for early intervention, allowing us to refine models of risk and identify divergent profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Edwards
- The School of Psychology, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, UK.
| | - Chris Jones
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.
| | - Effie Pearson
- The School of Psychology, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, UK.
| | - Rachel Royston
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.
| | - Chris Oliver
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.
| | - Joanne Tarver
- The School of Psychology, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, UK.
| | - Hayley Crawford
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, UK.
| | - Lauren Shelley
- The School of Psychology, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, UK.
| | - Jane Waite
- The School of Psychology, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, UK.
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Giani L, Michelini G, Nobile M, Ajmone PF, Vizziello PG, Scaini S. Behavioral markers of social anxiety in Cornelia de Lange Syndrome: A brief systematic review. J Affect Disord 2022; 299:636-643. [PMID: 34953928 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence that social impairments in Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) differ from those observed in idiopathic autism as they are characterized mainly by social anxiety. However, the knowledge of the fundamental features of social anxiety symptoms in this target population is limited. This brief systematic review aims to investigate the relationship between social anxiety and CdLS through multiple cross-sectional comparisons. METHODS PRISMA-P guidelines were followed, and the literature research was conducted in Pubmed, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect using "Cornelia de Lange Syndrome" or "CdLS" and "social anxiety" as search terms. RESULTS Six articles met the eligibility criteria. Results show that heightened levels of social anxiety in CdLS individuals occur before and after the social engagement and are mediated by both the nature of the social demand and the familiarity of the examiner they interact with. LIMITATIONS The interpretation of results is limited by the wide heterogeneity of patients' age and sample size across the reviewed studies, and by the absence of a unique observational procedure to detect behaviors indicative of social anxiety in syndromic individuals. CONCLUSIONS These findings have considerable clinical implications for intervention planning which might be generalized to all people with intellectual disability linked to a genetic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Giani
- Child and Youth Lab, Sigmund Freud University of Milan, Via Ripa di Porta Ticinese 77, 20143 Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Michelini
- Child and Youth Lab, Sigmund Freud University of Milan, Via Ripa di Porta Ticinese 77, 20143 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Nobile
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Paola Francesca Ajmone
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Giovanna Vizziello
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Scaini
- Child and Youth Lab, Sigmund Freud University of Milan, Via Ripa di Porta Ticinese 77, 20143 Milan, Italy.
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Li R, Tian B, Liang H, Chen M, Yang H, Wang L, Pan H, Zhu H. A Chinese Case of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Caused by a Pathogenic Variant in SMC3 and a Literature Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:604500. [PMID: 34659104 PMCID: PMC8515141 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.604500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare congenital developmental disorder, and cases caused by variants in SMC3 are infrequent. This article describes a case of CdLS related to a pathogenic variant in SMC3 and performs a literature review. METHODS We collected clinical data and biological samples from a 12-year-old boy with "short stature for 11 years". Gene variants in the proband were detected by whole-exome sequencing, and the variants in his parents were verified by Sanger sequencing. All SMC3-related CdLS patients from the PubMed and Web of Science databases were collected and summarized using the available data. RESULTS A pathogenic variant in SMC3 in the proband, c.1942A>G, was identified. Neither of his parents carried the same variant. Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with CdLS with variants in SMC3, including the cases in this study and those reported in the literature, where half of the variant types were missense, followed by 32% (9/28) with a deletion and 11% (3/28) with a duplication. All patients showed symptoms of verbal development delay and intellectual disability to different degrees, and 90% patients had long eyelashes while 89% patients had arched eyebrows. CONCLUSION This study summarized different gene variants in SMC3 and the frequencies of the various clinical manifestations according to the reported literature. For CdLS caused by SMC3 variants, short stature and facial dysmorphic features are the two most important clinical clues. Definite diagnosis of this rare disease may be challenging clinically; thus, it is significant to use molecular diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Li
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Bowen Tian
- Department of Internal Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hanting Liang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Meiping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hongbo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Linjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Pan
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Huijuan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Huijuan Zhu,
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Agarwala S, Veerappa AM, Ramachandra NB. Identification of primary copy number variations reveal enrichment of Calcium, and MAPK pathways sensitizing secondary sites for autism. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43042-020-00091-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with genetic heterogeneity. It is characterized by difficulties in reciprocal social interactions with strong repetitive behaviors and stereotyped interests. Copy number variations (CNVs) are genomic structural variations altering the genomic structure either by duplication or deletion. De novo or inherited CNVs are found in 5–10% of autistic subjects with a size range of few kilobases to several megabases. CNVs predispose humans to various diseases by altering gene regulation, generation of chimeric genes, and disruption of the coding region or through position effect. Although, CNVs are not the initiating event in pathogenesis; additional preceding mutations might be essential for disease manifestation. The present study is aimed to identify the primary CNVs responsible for autism susceptibility in healthy cohorts to sensitize secondary-hits. In the current investigation, primary-hit autism gene CNVs are characterized in 1715 healthy cohorts of varying ethnicities across 12 populations using Affymetrix high-resolution array study. Thirty-eight individuals from twelve families residing in Karnataka, India, with the age group of 13–73 years are included for the comparative CNV analysis. The findings are validated against global 179 autism whole-exome sequence datasets derived from Simons Simplex Collection. These datasets are deposited at the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) database.
Results
The study revealed that 34.8% of the subjects carried 2% primary-hit CNV burden with 73 singleton-autism genes in different clusters. Of these, three conserved CNV breakpoints were identified with ARHGAP11B, DUSP22, and CHRNA7 as the target genes across 12 populations. Enrichment analysis of the population-specific autism genes revealed two signaling pathways—calcium and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in the CNV identified regions. These impaired pathways affected the downstream cascades of neuronal function and physiology, leading to autism behavior. The pathway analysis of enriched genes unravelled complex protein interaction networks, which sensitized secondary sites for autism. Further, the identification of miRNA targets associated with autism gene CNVs added severity to the condition.
Conclusion
These findings contribute to an atlas of primary-hit genes to detect autism susceptibility in healthy cohorts, indicating their impact on secondary sites for manifestation.
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An Observational Study of Social Interaction Skills and Behaviors in Cornelia de Lange, Fragile X and Rubinstein-Taybi Syndromes. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:4001-4010. [PMID: 32189229 PMCID: PMC7560922 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04440-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We directly assessed the broader aspects of sociability (social enjoyment, social motivation, social interaction skills and social discomfort) in individuals with Cornelia de Lange (CdLS), fragile X (FXS) and Rubinstein-Taybi syndromes (RTS), and their association with autism characteristics and chronological age in these groups. Individuals with FXS (p < 0.01) and RTS (p < 0.01) showed poorer quality of eye contact compared to individuals with CdLS. Individuals with FXS showed less person and more object attention than individuals with CdLS (p < 0.01). Associations between sociability and autism characteristics and chronological age differed between groups, which may indicate divergence in the development and aetiology of different components of sociability across these groups. Findings indicate that individuals with CdLS, FXS and RTS show unique profiles of sociability.
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