A structured assessment of motor function, behavior, and communication in patients with Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome

Mitochondrial LETM1 drives ionic and molecular clock rhythms in circadian pacemaker neurons

The mechanisms that generate robust ionic oscillation in circadian pacemaker neurons are under investigation. Here, we demonstrate critical functions of the mitochondrial cation antiporter leucine zipper-EF-hand-containing transmembrane protein 1 (LETM1), which exchanges K⁺/H⁺ in Drosophila and Ca²⁺/H⁺ in mammals, in circadian pacemaker neurons. Letm1 knockdown in Drosophila pacemaker neurons reduced circadian cytosolic H⁺ rhythms and prolonged nuclear PERIOD/TIMELESS expression rhythms and locomotor activity rhythms. In rat pacemaker neurons in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), circadian rhythms in cytosolic Ca²⁺ and Bmal1 transcription were dampened by Letm1 knockdown. Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake peaks late during the day were also observed in rat SCN neurons following photolytic elevation of cytosolic Ca²⁺. Since cation transport by LETM1 is coupled to mitochondrial energy synthesis, we propose that LETM1 integrates metabolic, ionic, and molecular clock rhythms in the central clock system in both invertebrates and vertebrates.

Syndromic Autism Revisited: Review of the Literature and Lessons Learned

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication, stereotyped behaviors, restricted interests, and impaired social skills. The severity of the neurobehavioral phenotype is variable and historically has been distinguished based on the presence or absence of additional symptoms, termed syndromic and nonsyndromic or idiopathic autism, respectively. However, although the advancement in genetic molecular technologies has brought an increased understanding of the pathophysiology of autism, most of this success has been in the diagnosis of syndromic disease, whereas the etiology of nonsyndromic autism remains less understood. Here we review the common and rare genetic syndromes that feature autism, specifically highlighting deletion and duplication syndromes, chromosomal anomalies, and monogenic disorders. We show that the study of syndromic autism provides insight into the phenotypic and molecular heterogeneity of neurodevelopmental disease and suggests how study of these disorders can be helpful in understanding disease mechanisms implicated in nonsyndromic autism.

Coping with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome: quality of life and psychosocial features of family carers

BACKGROUND

Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome (WHS) is a rare, congenital disease characterized by a distinctive facial phenotype, seizures, intellectual disability and developmental delay, and pre and postnatal growth requiring lifelong care. The psychosocial status of the family caregivers of children diagnosed with WHS is unknown. This study aims to characterize the sociodemographic and psychosocial profile of WHS caregivers and analyze how these variables impact their quality of life (QoL) and well-being.

RESULTS

The sociodemographic and clinical profile of 22 Spanish caregivers of children with WHS and the characteristics of those affected have been described. Significant relationships were found between sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics among caregivers. The impact on the parents' QoL and negative relationship with the symptomatology were assessed. The use of engagement strategies such as problem focused coping was associated with improved psychological QoL and social support.

CONCLUSIONS

WHS caregivers share similarities in their profile and needs with caregivers of children with other rare diseases. Pychosocial support groups involving parents caring for children with the same disease could improve caregivers' well-being and QoL by strengthening their social support network and using positive coping styles.