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Tascini G, Dell'Isola GB, Mencaroni E, Di Cara G, Striano P, Verrotti A. Sleep Disorders in Rett Syndrome and Rett-Related Disorders: A Narrative Review. Front Neurol 2022; 13:817195. [PMID: 35299616 PMCID: PMC8923297 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.817195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a rare and severe X-linked developmental brain disorder that occurs primarily in females, with a ratio of 1:10.000. De novo mutations in the Methyl-CpG Binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene on the long arm of X chromosome are responsible for more than 95% cases of classical Rett. In the remaining cases (atypical Rett), other genes are involved such as the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) and the forkhead box G1 (FOXG1). Duplications of the MECP2 locus cause MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) which concerns about 1% of male patients with intellectual disability. Sleep disorders are common in individuals with intellectual disability, while the prevalence in children is between 16 and 42%. Over 80% of individuals affected by RTT show sleep problems, with a higher prevalence in the first 7 years of life and some degree of variability in correlation to age and genotype. Abnormalities in circadian rhythm and loss of glutamate homeostasis play a key role in the development of these disorders. Sleep disorders, epilepsy, gastrointestinal problems characterize CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD). Sleep impairment is an area of overlap between RTT and MECP2 duplication syndrome along with epilepsy, regression and others. Sleep dysfunction and epilepsy are deeply linked. Sleep deprivation could be an aggravating factor of epilepsy and anti-comitial therapy could interfere in sleep structure. Epilepsy prevalence in atypical Rett syndrome with severe clinical phenotype is higher than in classical Rett syndrome. However, RTT present a significant lifetime risk of epilepsy too. Sleep disturbances impact on child's development and patients' families and the evidence for its management is still limited. The aim of this review is to analyze pathophysiology, clinical features, the impact on other comorbidities and the management of sleep disorders in Rett syndrome and Rett-related syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Tascini
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Pasquale Striano
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS "G. Gaslini" Institute, Genoa, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Borsani E, Bonomini F, Bonini SA, Premoli M, Maccarinelli G, Giugno L, Mastinu A, Aria F, Memo M, Rezzani R. Role of melatonin in autism spectrum disorders in a male murine transgenic model: Study in the prefrontal cortex. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:780-797. [PMID: 35043490 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of clinically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders sharing common features related to impaired social and communication abilities in addition to stereotyped behaviors. ASD patients present encephalic morphological, physiological, and biomolecular alterations with low levels of melatonin due to alterations in its pathways. Therefore, even if ASDs have traditionally been framed as behavioral disorders, several lines of evidence are accumulating that ASDs are characterized by certain anatomical and physiological abnormalities, including oxidative stress and inflammation in peripheral biomarkers, but likewise present in human brain tissue also characterized by alterations in synaptic remodeling and neuromodulation. Melatonin has also protective and antioxidant properties, so we can therefore hypothesize that alterations in melatonin's pathways may be one of the causes of the symptomatology of autism. The aim of the present study was to analyze the beneficial effect induced by melatonin administration and its possible mechanism of action in a transgenic mouse model of autism, immediately after weaning. The male mice were daily treated per os with melatonin (10 mg/Kg/day) or vehicle for 8 weeks starting from the sixth week of life. The antioxidant modulation, the GABAergic/glutamatergic impairment, and the synaptic remodeling in the prefrontal cortex have been evaluated. Social and repetitive behaviors were also evaluated. The behavioral results showed no statistical evidences, instead the immunohistochemical results indicated the ability of melatonin to promote the activity of antioxidant system, the GABAergic/glutamatergic equilibrium, and the synaptic remodeling. The results show that melatonin may be a possible adjuvant therapeutic strategy in ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Borsani
- Division of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Interdipartimental University Center of Research "Adaption and Regeneration of Tissues and Organs-(ARTO)", University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Bonomini
- Division of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Interdipartimental University Center of Research "Adaption and Regeneration of Tissues and Organs-(ARTO)", University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Anna Bonini
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marika Premoli
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Maccarinelli
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lorena Giugno
- Division of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Mastinu
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Aria
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rita Rezzani
- Division of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Interdipartimental University Center of Research "Adaption and Regeneration of Tissues and Organs-(ARTO)", University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Boban S, Leonard H, Wong K, Wilson A, Downs J. Sleep disturbances in Rett syndrome: Impact and management including use of sleep hygiene practices. Am J Med Genet A 2018; 176:1569-1577. [PMID: 29704311 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Sleep disturbances are debilitating for individuals with Rett syndrome (RTT) and their families yet the evidence base for management is poor. We investigated management strategies and their relationships with sleep problems. Data were provided by 364/461 (79%) families with a child with RTT and registered with the International RTT Phenotype Database. Logistic regression models were used to investigate relationships between impacts of sleep problems on the child and family with age group, mutation type, medication type, and sleep hygiene score. Linear regression models were used to estimate the association of disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep (DIMS) with age group, mutation type, medication type, and sleep hygiene. Among those who ever had difficulty falling asleep or night waking, use of any medication was associated with higher odds of moderate/major impact sleep problems (relative to minor/no impact) for the affected child and the family, as well as higher DIMS scores, when compared with the no treatment/nonmedication group accounting for the effects of age, mutation type, and sleep hygiene score. Better use of sleep hygiene practices was associated with lower odds of moderate/major impact on the family (odds ratio 0.60, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 0.37, 0.98) and lower DIMS scores (geometric mean ratio 0.86, 95%CI 0.80, 0.92) compared with poorer use after adjusting for covariates. Attention to sleep hygiene remains an important management strategy for sleep problems in RTT. Further prospective research is required to investigate efficacy of pharmaceutical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharolin Boban
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, West Perth, Australia
| | - Helen Leonard
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, West Perth, Australia
| | - Kingsley Wong
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, West Perth, Australia
| | - Andrew Wilson
- Respiratory Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Australia
| | - Jenny Downs
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, West Perth, Australia.,School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
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