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Talvio K, Castrén ML. Astrocytes in fragile X syndrome. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1322541. [PMID: 38259499 PMCID: PMC10800791 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1322541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes have an important role in neuronal maturation and synapse function in the brain. The interplay between astrocytes and neurons is found to be altered in many neurodevelopmental disorders, including fragile X syndrome (FXS) that is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Transcriptional, functional, and metabolic alterations in Fmr1 knockout mouse astrocytes, human FXS stem cell-derived astrocytes as well as in in vivo models suggest autonomous effects of astrocytes in the neurobiology of FXS. Abnormalities associated with FXS astrocytes include differentiation of central nervous system cell populations, maturation and regulation of synapses, and synaptic glutamate balance. Recently, FXS-specific changes were found more widely in astrocyte functioning, such as regulation of inflammatory pathways and maintenance of lipid homeostasis. Changes of FXS astrocytes impact the brain homeostasis and function both during development and in the adult brain and offer opportunities for novel types of approaches for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maija L. Castrén
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Tassone F, Protic D, Allen EG, Archibald AD, Baud A, Brown TW, Budimirovic DB, Cohen J, Dufour B, Eiges R, Elvassore N, Gabis LV, Grudzien SJ, Hall DA, Hessl D, Hogan A, Hunter JE, Jin P, Jiraanont P, Klusek J, Kooy RF, Kraan CM, Laterza C, Lee A, Lipworth K, Losh M, Loesch D, Lozano R, Mailick MR, Manolopoulos A, Martinez-Cerdeno V, McLennan Y, Miller RM, Montanaro FAM, Mosconi MW, Potter SN, Raspa M, Rivera SM, Shelly K, Todd PK, Tutak K, Wang JY, Wheeler A, Winarni TI, Zafarullah M, Hagerman RJ. Insight and Recommendations for Fragile X-Premutation-Associated Conditions from the Fifth International Conference on FMR1 Premutation. Cells 2023; 12:2330. [PMID: 37759552 PMCID: PMC10529056 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The premutation of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene is characterized by an expansion of the CGG trinucleotide repeats (55 to 200 CGGs) in the 5' untranslated region and increased levels of FMR1 mRNA. Molecular mechanisms leading to fragile X-premutation-associated conditions (FXPAC) include cotranscriptional R-loop formations, FMR1 mRNA toxicity through both RNA gelation into nuclear foci and sequestration of various CGG-repeat-binding proteins, and the repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN)-initiated translation of potentially toxic proteins. Such molecular mechanisms contribute to subsequent consequences, including mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal death. Clinically, premutation carriers may exhibit a wide range of symptoms and phenotypes. Any of the problems associated with the premutation can appropriately be called FXPAC. Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI), and fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (FXAND) can fall under FXPAC. Understanding the molecular and clinical aspects of the premutation of the FMR1 gene is crucial for the accurate diagnosis, genetic counseling, and appropriate management of affected individuals and families. This paper summarizes all the known problems associated with the premutation and documents the presentations and discussions that occurred at the International Premutation Conference, which took place in New Zealand in 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
| | - Dragana Protic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia;
- Fragile X Clinic, Special Hospital for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Neurology, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Emily Graves Allen
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Alison D. Archibald
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Genomics in Society Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Anna Baud
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (A.B.); (K.T.)
| | - Ted W. Brown
- Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
- Fragile X Association of Australia, Brookvale, NSW 2100, Australia;
- NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, NY 10314, USA
| | - Dejan B. Budimirovic
- Department of Psychiatry, Fragile X Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences-Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jonathan Cohen
- Fragile X Alliance Clinic, Melbourne, VIC 3161, Australia;
| | - Brett Dufour
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Rachel Eiges
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center Affiliated with the Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem 91031, Israel;
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy; (N.E.); (C.L.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Lidia V. Gabis
- Keshet Autism Center Maccabi Wolfson, Holon 5822012, Israel;
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Samantha J. Grudzien
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 4148 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.J.G.); (P.K.T.)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Deborah A. Hall
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - David Hessl
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Abigail Hogan
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - Jessica Ezzell Hunter
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Poonnada Jiraanont
- Faculty of Medicine, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand;
| | - Jessica Klusek
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; (A.H.); (J.K.)
| | - R. Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Claudine M. Kraan
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Diagnosis and Development, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Cecilia Laterza
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy; (N.E.); (C.L.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Lee
- Fragile X New Zealand, Nelson 7040, New Zealand;
| | - Karen Lipworth
- Fragile X Association of Australia, Brookvale, NSW 2100, Australia;
| | - Molly Losh
- Roxelyn and Richard Pepper Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA;
| | - Danuta Loesch
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Reymundo Lozano
- Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Marsha R. Mailick
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Apostolos Manolopoulos
- Intramural Research Program, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA;
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Yingratana McLennan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | | | - Federica Alice Maria Montanaro
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Education, Psychology, Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Matthew W. Mosconi
- Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA;
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART), University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Sarah Nelson Potter
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Melissa Raspa
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Susan M. Rivera
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Katharine Shelly
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (E.G.A.); (P.J.); (K.S.)
| | - Peter K. Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 4148 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.J.G.); (P.K.T.)
- Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Healthcare, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Katarzyna Tutak
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; (A.B.); (K.T.)
| | - Jun Yi Wang
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA;
| | - Anne Wheeler
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (J.E.H.); (S.N.P.); (M.R.); (A.W.)
| | - Tri Indah Winarni
- Center for Biomedical Research (CEBIOR), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang 502754, Central Java, Indonesia;
| | - Marwa Zafarullah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95817, USA; (B.D.); (D.H.); (V.M.-C.)
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Carter MT, Srour M, Au PYB, Buhas D, Dyack S, Eaton A, Inbar-Feigenberg M, Howley H, Kawamura A, Lewis SME, McCready E, Nelson TN, Vallance H. Genetic and metabolic investigations for neurodevelopmental disorders: position statement of the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG). J Med Genet 2023; 60:523-532. [PMID: 36822643 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2022-108962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE AND SCOPE The aim of this position statement is to provide recommendations for clinicians regarding the use of genetic and metabolic investigations for patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), specifically, patients with global developmental delay (GDD), intellectual disability (ID) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This document also provides guidance for primary care and non-genetics specialists caring for these patients while awaiting consultation with a clinical geneticist or metabolic specialist. METHODS OF STATEMENT DEVELOPMENT A multidisciplinary group reviewed existing literature and guidelines on the use of genetic and metabolic investigations for the diagnosis of NDDs and synthesised the evidence to make recommendations relevant to the Canadian context. The statement was circulated for comment to the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG) membership-at-large and to the Canadian Pediatric Society (Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee); following incorporation of feedback, it was approved by the CCMG Board of Directors on 1 September 2022. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Chromosomal microarray is recommended as a first-tier test for patients with GDD, ID or ASD. Fragile X testing should also be done as a first-tier test when there are suggestive clinical features or family history. Metabolic investigations should be done if there are clinical features suggestive of an inherited metabolic disease, while the patient awaits consultation with a metabolic physician. Exome sequencing or a comprehensive gene panel is recommended as a second-tier test for patients with GDD or ID. Genetic testing is not recommended for patients with NDDs in the absence of GDD, ID or ASD, unless accompanied by clinical features suggestive of a syndromic aetiology or inherited metabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Myriam Srour
- Division of Neurology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ping-Yee Billie Au
- Department of Medical Genetics, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Daniela Buhas
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Specialized Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sarah Dyack
- Division of Medical Genetics, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Alison Eaton
- Department of Medical Genetics, Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Michal Inbar-Feigenberg
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Heather Howley
- Office of Research Services, CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne Kawamura
- Division of Developmental Pediatrics, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Mental Health and Developmental Disability Committee, Canadian Pediatric Society, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Canadian Paediatric Society, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suzanne M E Lewis
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's and Women's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Elizabeth McCready
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program, Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Tanya N Nelson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hilary Vallance
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Research Gaps in Fragile X Syndrome: An Updated Literature Review to Inform Clinical and Public Health Practice. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2023; 44:e56-e65. [PMID: 36219479 PMCID: PMC9770151 DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000001134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The phenotypic impact of fragile X syndrome (FXS) has been well-documented since the discovery of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 gene 30 years ago. However, gaps remain in clinical and public health research. The purpose of this literature review was to determine the extent to which these gaps have been addressed and identify targeted areas of future research. METHODS We conducted an electronic search of several scientific databases using a variety of key words. The search focused on 5 areas identified as research gaps by an earlier review: (1) diagnosis, (2) phenotypic presentation, (3) familial impact, (4) interventions and treatments, and (5) life span perspectives. Inclusion criteria included publication between 2014 and 2020, focus on human subjects, and publication in English. A total of 480 articles were identified, 365 were reviewed, and 112 are summarized in this review. RESULTS Results are organized into the following categories: (1) FXS phenotype and subtypes (FXS subtypes, medical profile, cognitive/developmental profile, social and behavioral profile); (2) needs of adults; (3) public health needs (clinical diagnosis and newborn screening, health care needs, and access); (4) treatment (treatment priorities, pharmacological treatments, and behavioral and educational interventions); and (5) families (economic burden and mother-child relationship). CONCLUSION Despite the progress in many areas of FXS research, work remains to address gaps in clinical and public health knowledge. We pose 3 main areas of focused research, including early detection and diagnosis, determinants of health, and development and implementation of targeted interventions.
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Movaghar A, Page D, Brilliant M, Mailick M. Advancing artificial intelligence-assisted pre-screening for fragile X syndrome. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2022; 22:152. [PMID: 35689224 PMCID: PMC9185893 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-022-01896-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism, is significantly underdiagnosed in the general population. Diagnosing FXS is challenging due to the heterogeneity of the condition, subtle physical characteristics at the time of birth and similarity of phenotypes to other conditions. The medical complexity of FXS underscores an urgent need to develop more efficient and effective screening methods to identify individuals with FXS. In this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of using artificial intelligence (AI) and electronic health records (EHRs) to accelerate FXS diagnosis. METHODS The EHRs of 2.1 million patients served by the University of Wisconsin Health System (UW Health) were the main data source for this retrospective study. UW Health includes patients from south central Wisconsin, with approximately 33 years (1988-2021) of digitized health data. We identified all participants who received a code for FXS in the form of International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Ninth or Tenth Revision (ICD9 = 759.83, ICD10 = Q99.2). Only individuals who received the FXS code on at least two occasions ("Rule of 2") were classified as clinically diagnosed cases. To ensure the availability of sufficient data prior to clinical diagnosis to test the model, only individuals who were diagnosed after age 10 were included in the analysis. A supervised random forest classifier was used to create an AI-assisted pre-screening tool to identify cases with FXS, 5 years earlier than the time of clinical diagnosis based on their medical records. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was reported. The AUROC shows the level of success in identification of cases and controls (AUROC = 1 represents perfect classification). RESULTS 52 individuals were identified as target cases and matched with 5200 controls. AI-assisted pre-screening tool successfully identified cases with FXS, 5 years earlier than the time of clinical diagnosis with an AUROC of 0.717. A separate model trained and tested on UW Health cases achieved the AUROC of 0.798. CONCLUSIONS This result shows the potential utility of our tool in accelerating FXS diagnosis in real clinical settings. Earlier diagnosis can lead to more timely intervention and access to services with the goal of improving patients' health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arezoo Movaghar
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| | - David Page
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Murray Brilliant
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Marsha Mailick
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
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FMR1 allele frequencies in 51,000 newborns: a large-scale population study in China. World J Pediatr 2021; 17:653-658. [PMID: 34738199 DOI: 10.1007/s12519-021-00473-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by CGG-repeat expansion in FMR1 promoter, is one of the most common causes of mental retardation. Individuals with full mutation and premutation alleles have a high risk of psychophysiological disorder and of having affected offspring. Frequencies of FMR1 alleles in general newborns have been reported in Caucasians but have not been investigated in the large-scale population in the mainland of China. METHODS The sizes of FMR1 CGG-repeats were analyzed in 51,661 newborns (28,114 males and 23,547 females) and also in a cohort of 33 children diagnosed with developmental delay using GC-rich polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and triple repeat primed PCR. RESULTS The frequency of CGG repeats > 100 was 1/9371 in males and 1/5887 in females, and the frequency of CGG repeats > 54 was 1/1561 in males and 1/1624 in females. FMR1 full mutation and premutation were identified in 27.27% of children who had Ages and Stages Questionnaire scores less than two standard deviations from the cutoff value. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed the prevalence of FXS in China and improved the sample databases of FXS, suggesting that the prevalence of FXS in Chinese is higher than estimated previously and that FXS screening can be advised to high-risk families.
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Ellis MJ, Larsen K, Havighurst SS. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD): Symptomatology of the Norwegian Patient Population and Parents' Experiences of Patient Regression. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:1495-1506. [PMID: 33934283 PMCID: PMC8938397 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05023-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) is a rare and little researched developmental disorder characterised by regression in language and social skills after a period of seemingly normal development until at least the age of 2 years. The study contacted all parents of CDD patients in Norway to assess patient symptomatology and parents’ experiences of regression via questionnaire or interview. There were 12 participants. Symptomatology was in-line with previous studies, with universal regression in language and social skills and onset predominantly at 2–4 years. Regression was connected to feelings of ‘loss’ and uncertainty over the prognosis for CDD patients. The study supported CDD diagnostic criteria and showed that CDD patient regression has profound implications for parental well-being.
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Movaghar A, Page D, Scholze D, Hong J, DaWalt LS, Kuusisto F, Stewart R, Brilliant M, Mailick M. Artificial intelligence-assisted phenotype discovery of fragile X syndrome in a population-based sample. Genet Med 2021; 23:1273-1280. [PMID: 33772223 PMCID: PMC8257481 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-021-01144-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most prevalent inherited cause of intellectual disability, remains underdiagnosed in the general population. Clinical studies have shown that individuals with FXS have a complex health profile leading to unique clinical needs. However, the full impact of this X-linked disorder on the health of affected individuals is unclear and the prevalence of co-occurring conditions is unknown. METHODS We mined the longitudinal electronic health records from more than one million individuals to investigate the health characteristics of patients who have been clinically diagnosed with FXS. Additionally, using machine-learning approaches, we created predictive models to identify individuals with FXS in the general population. RESULTS Our discovery-oriented approach identified the associations of FXS with a wide range of medical conditions including circulatory, endocrine, digestive, and genitourinary, in addition to mental and neurological disorders. We successfully created predictive models to identify cases five years prior to clinical diagnosis of FXS without relying on any genetic or familial data. CONCLUSION Although FXS is often thought of primarily as a neurological disorder, it is in fact a multisystem syndrome involving many co-occurring conditions, some primary and some secondary, and they are associated with a considerable burden on patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arezoo Movaghar
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David Page
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Danielle Scholze
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jinkuk Hong
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | | | - Ron Stewart
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Murray Brilliant
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Marsha Mailick
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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Hiraide T, Yamoto K, Masunaga Y, Asahina M, Endoh Y, Ohkubo Y, Matsubayashi T, Tsurui S, Yamada H, Yanagi K, Nakashima M, Hirano K, Sugimura H, Fukuda T, Ogata T, Saitsu H. Genetic and phenotypic analysis of 101 patients with developmental delay or intellectual disability using whole-exome sequencing. Clin Genet 2021; 100:40-50. [PMID: 33644862 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Whole-exome sequencing (WES) enables identification of pathogenic variants, including copy number variants (CNVs). In this study, we performed WES in 101 Japanese patients with unexplained developmental delay (DD) or intellectual disability (ID) (63 males and 38 females), 98 of them with trio-WES. Pathogenic variants were identified in 54 cases (53.5%), including four cases with pathogenic CNVs. In one case, a pathogenic variant was identified by reanalysis of exome data; and in two cases, two molecular diagnoses were identified. Among 58 pathogenic variants, 49 variants occurred de novo in 48 patients, including two somatic variants. The accompanying autism spectrum disorder and external ear anomalies were associated with detection of pathogenic variants with odds ratios of 11.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.52-56.00) and 3.46 (95% CI 1.23-9.73), respectively. These findings revealed the importance of reanalysis of WES data and detection of CNVs and somatic variants in increasing the diagnostic yield for unexplained DD/ID. In addition, genetic testing is recommended when patients suffer from the autism spectrum disorder or external ear anomalies, which potentially suggests the involvement of genetic factors associated with gene expression regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Hiraide
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.,Department of Biochemistry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Kaori Yamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Yohei Masunaga
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Miki Asahina
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu City Welfare and Medical Center for Development, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Yusaku Endoh
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu City Welfare and Medical Center for Development, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Yumiko Ohkubo
- Department of Pediatrics, Shizuoka Saiseikai Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoko Matsubayashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.,Department of Pediatric Neurology, Shizuoka Children's Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Tsurui
- Department of Pediatrics, Seirei-Numazu Hospital, Numazu, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Yamada
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Kumiko Yanagi
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuko Nakashima
- Department of Biochemistry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Kouichi Hirano
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu City Welfare and Medical Center for Development, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Sugimura
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Tokiko Fukuda
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Ogata
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Hirotomo Saitsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
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10
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Boardman FK. Attitudes toward population screening among people living with fragile X syndrome in the UK: 'I wouldn't wish him away, I'd just wish his fragile X syndrome away'. J Genet Couns 2020; 30:85-97. [PMID: 33184995 PMCID: PMC7894324 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In an age of expanded genetic screening, fragile X syndrome is increasingly considered a candidate condition, given its prevalence, the absence of curative interventions, and its impact on families. However, relatively little research has explored the views of families and people living with fragile X syndrome toward population screening. This study reports on in-depth interviews with 19 participants: 3 with people diagnosed with a fragile X condition (fragile X syndrome = 2, FXTAS = 1) and 16 people with fragile X syndrome in their family (11 parents, 2 grandparents, 1 spouse, 1 sibling, and 1 aunt) living in the UK. This study reveals the complexity of attitudes within this group and the existence of genuine ambivalence toward different population screening programs. While the overwhelming majority believed that preconception and newborn genetic screening should be made available to the general public, the notion of prenatal screening was far more controversial, with only five participants expressing support for such a program. Expressivist concerns were highlighted equally both by those who supported prenatal screening, as by also those who did not. Participants who supported prenatal screening drew clear distinctions between people with fragile X syndrome and the condition itself, in order to neutralize expressivist concerns and existential threat. However, for others, this division was challenging to maintain. Impairment effects associated with fragile X syndrome, more specifically, its implications for behavior, intellect, and personality, made it harder for some participants to conceptually separate the person from their condition. This study concludes that screening remains a complex issue for families living with genetic conditions and that expressivist concerns affect, and are managed by, families living with different types of disability in contrasting ways. Screening for conditions that affect personality, behavior, and intellect produces unique iterations of expressivism, identity, and stigmatization that families produce specific, and creative, strategies to navigate.
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11
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Gabis LV, Attia OL, Roth-Hanania R, Foss-Feig J. Motor delay - An early and more common "red flag" in girls rather than boys with autism spectrum disorder. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2020; 104:103702. [PMID: 32570001 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism and intellectual disability may coincide and be preceded by global developmental delay or by motor delay. HYPOTHESIS Motor delay in the context of global developmental delay is an initial "red flag" for ASD, with added risk in girls. OBJECTIVE To assess early developmental milestones in girls with ASD as compared to diagnosed boys, considering prematurity risk. METHOD Developmental milestones in a cohort of 467 children with ASD - diagnosed at mean age of 3.4 years (SD = 2.2) - were analyzed according to gender and prematurity risk. RESULTS 111 girls (24 %), 356 boys (76 %), presented with motor milestones acquisition grossly within the normal range. However, there was a shift towards acquisition of walking being at the later end of the norm range, with this shift being more prominent in girls. 60 % of girls and 47 % of boys with ASD had motor delay and 49 % of girls and 36 % of boys had global developmental delay. The extent of the delays was greater in the prematurity subgroup. CONCLUSION Global delay of early milestones occurred in half of children with ASD and in 60 % of girls with ASD. Delayed acquisition of independent walking is relatively more common in girls subsequently diagnosed with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia V Gabis
- Weinberg Developmental Center, Safra Children's Hospital, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, Israel.
| | - Odelia Leon Attia
- Weinberg Developmental Center, Safra Children's Hospital, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
| | | | - Jennifer Foss-Feig
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States.
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12
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Gabis LV, Shefer S, Raas-Rothschild A. Ethical Dilemmas Linked to Fragile X Testing of Minors—a Preliminary Survey Among Professionals. J Mol Neurosci 2020; 70:254-259. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-019-01445-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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13
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Cascade Testing for Fragile X Syndrome in a Rural Setting in Cameroon (Sub-Saharan Africa). Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11020136. [PMID: 32012997 PMCID: PMC7074341 DOI: 10.3390/genes11020136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), an X-linked dominant monogenic condition, is the main genetic cause of intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). FXS is associated with an expansion of CGG repeat sequence in the Fragile X Mental Retardation gene 1 (FMR1) on chromosome X. Following a neuropediatric assessment of two male siblings who presented with signs of FXS that was confirmed with molecular testing, we provided cascade counselling and testing to the extended family. A total of 46 individuals were tested for FXS; among them, 58.70% (n = 27) were females. The mean age was 9.4 (±5) years for children and 45.9 (±15.9) years for adults. Pedigree analysis suggested that the founder of these families was likely a normal transmitting male. Four out of 19 males with clinical ID were confirmed to have a full mutation for FXS, while 14/27 females had a pathologic CGG expansion (>56 CGG repeats) on one of their X chromosomes. Two women with premature menopause were confirmed of being carriers of premutation (91 and 101 CGG repeats). We also identified maternal alleles (91 and 126 CGG repeats) which expanded to a full mutation in their offspring (>200 CGG repeats). This study is a rare report on FXS from Africa and illustrates the case scenario of implementing genetic medicine for a neurogenetic condition in a rural setting.
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