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Papoff FMA, Astrea G, Mero S, Chicca L, Satolli S, Pasquariello R, Battini R, Tessa A, Santorelli FM. Early Diagnosis of AP5Z1/SPG48 Spastic Paraplegia: Case Report and Review of the Literature. Neuropediatrics 2024; 55:341-346. [PMID: 39059408 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1788729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders clinically characterized by progressive lower limb spasticity with pyramidal weakness. Around a dozen potential molecular mechanisms are recognized. Childhood HSP is a significant diagnostic challenge in clinical practice. Mutations in AP5Z1, which are associated with spastic paraplegia type 48 (SPG48), are extremely rare and seldom described in children.We report the clinical, radiologic, and molecular studies performed in a child harboring novel biallelic mutations in AP5Z1.The child presented a neurodevelopmental disorder with slight lower limb pyramidal signs. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed minimal white matter changes in the frontal horns of the lateral ventricles and a normally shaped corpus callosum. Western blotting in cultured skin fibroblasts indicated reduced protein expression, which confirmed the genetic diagnosis and framed this as a case of protein reduction in a context of impaired autophagy.Our findings expand the spectrum of phenotypes associated with mutations in AP5Z1, highlighting their clinical and pathophysiologic overlap with lysosomal storage disorders. SPG48 should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders even when pyramidal signs are minimal and brain MRI not fully informative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca M A Papoff
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Guja Astrea
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Serena Mero
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Chicca
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Satolli
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tessa
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo M Santorelli
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
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Figure Disembedding: The Gottschaldt's Hidden Figure Test in Children with Typical Development and Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:3790-3799. [PMID: 34476659 PMCID: PMC9349202 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05259-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In two studies, we used the Gottschaldt’s Hidden Figure Test (GHFT) for assessing figure disembedding ability in children aged 7–11. Study 1 demonstrated in a large sample of typically developing children that GHFT accuracy and time scores differed across age groups, without sex and socioeconomic differences. Thus, we provided normative data only taking into account children’s age. In Study 2, GHFT normative values were used to assess children with autism, who were also compared with a closely age-matched group of typical controls. Children with autism achieved time scores at or above the 50th centile and significantly differed from the controls for time score. The GHFT seems a valuable tool for defining the cognitive profile of children with autism.
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Bonaventura E, Purpura G, Pasquariello R, Da Prato S, Di Lieto MC, Barsotti J, Paolicelli PB, Cioni G, Tinelli F. Complex neurodevelopmental disorder in a preterm child with unilateral cerebellar hemorrhage. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-CHILD 2021; 11:915-920. [PMID: 34100324 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2021.1935256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebellar hemorrhage (CBH) represents the main form of direct cerebellar injury in preterm infants. Most CBHs occur bilaterally, while isolated unilateral hemorrhages are less frequent and often associated with focal atrophy. Limited and heterogeneous data exist on preterm birth, unilateral CBH and consequent long-term neurodevelopmental and non-motor outcomes. CASE REPORT This is the case of a six-year-old child, born preterm, diagnosed with a complete atrophy of the right cerebellar hemisphere through brain MRI and presenting mild social atypies, visuo-perceptive and pragmatic language impairment, but only minor neurological signs. DISCUSSION Despite the large extension of the patient's CBH neurological sequelae were mild, likely due to cerebellar plasticity, and only specific deficits in non-motor, behavioral and social skills were shown. Evidence exists on cerebellar contribution to dynamic visual information processing and to perceptual signals detection and prediction, that might explain the presence of non-motor signs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Bonaventura
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Purpura
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Da Prato
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Di Lieto
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jessica Barsotti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Tinelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
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Abstract
Abstract. The oral narratives of 240 Italian children aged 3–8 years were analyzed using a new instrument, the Narrative Competence Task (NCT). The data showed a gradual increase in the children’s narrative competence in both the macrostructure and the microstructure. Statistically significant differences between preschool-age and school-age children were found on all the variables considered. In addition to increased chronological age, a significant role of cognitive abilities (general non-verbal intelligence and sequential reasoning) and linguistic skills (mean length of utterance and lexical diversity) emerged in explaining the variance in children’s narrative macrostructure. Children with superior cognitive and linguistic abilities produced richer narratives characterized by a greater quantity of information, a better structure, and a wider use of mental state lexicon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Zanchi
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Zampini
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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Claessen M, Tucker M, Dawes E, LeitÃo S. The information score as a measure of oral discourse comprehension in the early school years. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 2020; 22:338-346. [PMID: 32366118 DOI: 10.1080/17549507.2020.1745888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Oral discourse comprehension is a fundamental skill that is predictive of future reading comprehension. The ability to identify important semantic propositions, in a narrative text, and their attachment to a mental model is an essential component of discourse comprehension. This study aimed to pilot a measure of free-recall in a narrative retell across three age groups to explore development. A secondary aim compared measures of free-recall and cued-recall.Method: One hundred and thirty-two (132) typically developing children aged 4-7 years provided a retell of the Squirrel Story narrative and completed the Narrative Comprehension Assessment (NCA). The Squirrel Story Information Score (SSIS) was used as a novel measure of free-recall calculated from the narrative retells. The NCA, which involves literal and inferential comprehension questions, was used as a measure of cued-recall. Scoring reliability was calculated to ensure test-retest validity.Result: Correlation analysis found excellent reliability of the SSIS measure. The difference between 4 and 5 year olds, and 5 and 6 year olds, was significant, with a large effect size. The difference between the 5 and 6 year olds was not significant. A large positive correlation was found between the measures of SSIS and NCA.Conclusion: The measure of SSIS proved sensitive to developmental progression, with a positive relationship found between the measures of free-recall and cued-recall. Variability between the measures highlights the need to consider both measures to ensure an accurate representation of discourse comprehension skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Claessen
- School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Meagan Tucker
- School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Emily Dawes
- School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Suze LeitÃo
- School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
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Conson M, Siciliano M, Baiano C, Zappullo I, Senese VP, Santangelo G. Normative data of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure for Italian-speaking elementary school children. Neurol Sci 2019; 40:2045-2050. [PMID: 31111271 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-03929-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF) is a widely used neuropsychological test for the evaluation of drawing disorders in different clinical populations, and, in particular, in persons with neurodevelopmental disorders. The aim of the present study is to provide normative data for ROCF copying (ROCF-Direct copy) and drawing from memory (ROCF-Immediate recall) in Italian-speaking children. The sample consisted of 348 children (147 males and 199 females), aged 7-11 years, recruited from elementary schools in Southern Italy. Normative data were gathered from 312 participants fulfilling the inclusion criteria, and estimated centiles were obtained according to the LMS method providing normalized growth centile standards. Results showed a significant effect of age on performance in both tasks, with a steady increase of drawing accuracy, whereas participants' gender and mean level of parental education did not exert any significant effect. Thus, normative data were stratified by age, and percentile scores were provided allowing a practical use of the ROCF for the clinical evaluation of drawing abilities in both typical and atypical children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Conson
- Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy.
| | - Mattia Siciliano
- Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurologic, Metabolic and Aging Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Baiano
- Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Isa Zappullo
- Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Paolo Senese
- Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Gabriella Santangelo
- Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy
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Mozzanica F, Ambrogi F, Salvadorini R, Sai E, Pozzoli R, Barillari MR, Scarponi L, Schindler A. The Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and Narrative Abilities in a Group of Italian Normally Developing Children. Folia Phoniatr Logop 2016; 68:134-140. [DOI: 10.1159/000452443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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