1
|
Holover G, Adams D, Milligan D, Goldberg R, Rios J, Kornitzer J, Mazzola C. Moya moya vasculopathy and MECP2 duplication syndrome. Childs Nerv Syst 2024; 40:809-812. [PMID: 37804337 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-023-06139-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moya moya type vasculopathy (MMV) is a rare disorder in which there is narrowing of bilateral intracranial carotid arteries (Scott and Smith in New Engl J Med 360(12):1226-1237, 2009). MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) is a rare genetic disorder that is caused by genetic duplications on Xq28 chromosome (Expanding the clinical picture of the MECP2 duplication syndrome. (Lim et al. in Clin Genet 91(4):557-563, 2017). Both disorders are rare and have not been described together in association. CASE PRESENTATION Interestingly, we present a child with both MDS and MMV. Upon genetic testing, there was found to be a large, de novo duplication sequence in the patient's genome. Possible correlation between our patient's extensive genetic mutation and MMV has been evaluated. CONCLUSION Our literature search disclosed no other known patients with both MDS and MMV. Patients with MDS should be monitored carefully for signs or symptoms of vasculopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gianna Holover
- School of Arts and Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Darius Adams
- Department of Genetics, Personalized Genomic Medicine, Morristown, NJ, USA
| | - Dawn Milligan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, New Jersey Pediatric Neuroscience Institute, 131 Madison Ave 3rd Floor, Morristown, NJ, 07960, USA
| | - Rina Goldberg
- Department of Pediatric Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Livingston, NJ, USA
| | - Jose Rios
- Department of Radiology, Atlantic Medical Group Radiology, Morristown, NJ, USA
| | - Jeffrey Kornitzer
- Department of Neurology, New Jersey Pediatric Neuroscience Institute, Morristown, NJ, USA
| | - Catherine Mazzola
- Department of Neurological Surgery, New Jersey Pediatric Neuroscience Institute, 131 Madison Ave 3rd Floor, Morristown, NJ, 07960, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abellán-Álvaro M, Stork O, Agustín-Pavón C, Santos M. MeCP2 haplodeficiency and early-life stress interaction on anxiety-like behavior in adolescent female mice. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:59. [PMID: 34895132 PMCID: PMC8903671 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09409-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early-life stress can leave persistent epigenetic marks that may modulate vulnerability to psychiatric conditions later in life, including anxiety, depression and stress-related disorders. These are complex disorders with both environmental and genetic influences contributing to their etiology. Methyl-CpG Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2) has been attributed a key role in the control of neuronal activity-dependent gene expression and is a master regulator of experience-dependent epigenetic programming. Moreover, mutations in the MECP2 gene are the primary cause of Rett syndrome and, to a lesser extent, of a range of other major neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we aim to study the interaction of MeCP2 with early-life stress in variables known to be affected by this environmental manipulation, namely anxiety-like behavior and activity of the underlying neural circuits. METHODS Using Mecp2 heterozygous and wild-type female mice we investigated the effects of the interaction of Mecp2 haplodeficiency with maternal separation later in life, by assessing anxiety-related behaviors and measuring concomitant c-FOS expression in stress- and anxiety-related brain regions of adolescent females. Moreover, arginine vasopressin and corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus were analyzed for neuronal activation. RESULTS In wild-type mice, maternal separation caused a reduction in anxiety-like behavior and in the activation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, specifically in corticotropin-releasing hormone-positive cells, after the elevated plus maze. This effect of maternal separation was not observed in Mecp2 heterozygous females that per se show decreased anxiety-like behavior and concomitant decreased paraventricular nuclei activation. CONCLUSIONS Our data supports that MeCP2 is an essential component of HPA axis reprogramming and underlies the differential response to anxiogenic situations later in life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Abellán-Álvaro
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació en Neuroanatomia Funcional, Departamento de Biologia Cel·lular, Biologia Funcional i Antropologia Física, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain
| | - Oliver Stork
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Carmen Agustín-Pavón
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació en Neuroanatomia Funcional, Departamento de Biologia Cel·lular, Biologia Funcional i Antropologia Física, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain
| | - Mónica Santos
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hamers PCM, Savas M, van Rossum EFC, de Rijke YB, Bindels PJE, Festen DAM, Hermans H. Hair glucocorticoids in adults with intellectual disabilities and depressive symptoms pre- and post-bright light therapy: First explorations. JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2021; 34:1549-1559. [PMID: 34047425 PMCID: PMC8597165 DOI: 10.1111/jar.12899] [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] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depressive symptoms and stress are common in adults with intellectual disabilities. Our aim was to explore long-term biological stress levels, assessed by hair cortisol (HairF) and cortisone (HairE) concentrations, in adults with intellectual disabilities and depressive symptoms and to investigate the effects of bright light therapy (BLT) on hair glucocorticoids. METHOD Scalp hair samples (n = 14) were retrospectively examined at baseline and post-BLT (10.000 and 300 lux). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure hair glucocorticoids. RESULTS A significant correlation was found between baseline HairF and depression scores (r = .605, p = .028). Post-intervention HairE levels were significantly increased ([95% CI: 11.2-17.4 pg/mg], p = .003), in particular after dim light (300 lux) ([95% CI: 10.0-18.3 pg/mg], p = .020). CONCLUSIONS This study showed that retrospectively examining biological levels of stress in adults with intellectual disabilities seems a potentially promising and objective method to gain insight in the stress level of adults with intellectual disabilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline C M Hamers
- Department of General Practice, Intellectual Disability Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Amarant, Healthcare Organization for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Mesut Savas
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth F C van Rossum
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yolanda B de Rijke
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Patrick J E Bindels
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dederieke A M Festen
- Department of General Practice, Intellectual Disability Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Ipse de Bruggen, Healthcare Organization for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi Hermans
- Department of General Practice, Intellectual Disability Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Amarant, Healthcare Organization for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
D'Mello SR. MECP2 and the Biology of MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. J Neurochem 2021; 159:29-60. [PMID: 33638179 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS), a rare X-linked genomic disorder affecting predominantly males, is caused by duplication of the chromosomal region containing the methyl CpG binding protein-2 (MECP2) gene, which encodes methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), a multi-functional protein required for proper brain development and maintenance of brain function during adulthood. Disease symptoms include severe motor and cognitive impairment, delayed or absent speech development, autistic features, seizures, ataxia, recurrent respiratory infections and shortened lifespan. The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which a relatively modest increase in MECP2 protein causes such severe disease symptoms are poorly understood and consequently there are no treatments available for this fatal disorder. This review summarizes what is known to date about the structure and complex regulation of MECP2 and its many functions in the developing and adult brain. Additionally, recent experimental findings on the cellular and molecular underpinnings of MDS based on cell culture and mouse models of the disorder are reviewed. The emerging picture from these studies is that MDS is a neurodegenerative disorder in which neurons die in specific parts of the central nervous system, including the cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and spinal cord. Neuronal death likely results from astrocytic dysfunction, including a breakdown of glutamate homeostatic mechanisms. The role of elevations in the expression of glial acidic fibrillary protein (GFAP) in astrocytes and the microtubule-associated protein, Tau, in neurons to the pathogenesis of MDS is discussed. Lastly, potential therapeutic strategies to potentially treat MDS are discussed.
Collapse
|
5
|
Byiers BJ, Payen A, Feyma T, Panoskaltsis-Mortari A, Ehrhardt MJ, Symons FJ. Associations Among Diurnal Salivary Cortisol Patterns, Medication Use, and Behavioral Phenotype Features in a Community Sample of Rett Syndrome. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2020; 125:353-368. [PMID: 32936892 PMCID: PMC10699094 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-125.5.353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from mutations of the MECP2 gene. Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and abnormal stress responses have been observed in animal models of RTT, but little is known about HPA axis function among individuals with RTT. Diurnal salivary cortisol patterns from 30 females with RTT were examined in relation to mutation type, medication use, and features of the RTT behavioral phenotype. Cortisol patterns were significantly related to mutation severity, anticonvulsant medication status, and bruxism (tooth grinding). This study provides preliminary support for the hypothesis that RTT may be at risk for outcomes associated with aberrant HPA axis function, and that this risk may be mediated by mutation type.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ameante Payen
- Breanne J. Byiers and Ameante Payen, University of Minnesota
| | - Timothy Feyma
- Timothy Feyma, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul, Minnesota
| | | | - Michael J Ehrhardt
- Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari, Michael J. Ehrhardt, and Frank J. Symons, University of Minnesota
| | - Frank J Symons
- Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari, Michael J. Ehrhardt, and Frank J. Symons, University of Minnesota
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Peters SU, Fu C, Neul JL, Granger DA. Cortisol profiles and clinical severity in MECP2 duplication syndrome. J Neurodev Disord 2020; 12:19. [PMID: 32698758 PMCID: PMC7376951 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-020-09322-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) is a rare X-linked genomic disorder primarily affecting males which is caused by interstitial chromosomal duplications at Xq28 encompassing the MECP2 gene. Core clinical features of MDS include choreiform movements, progressive spasticity, recurrent respiratory infections, developmental delays in the first 6 months of life, hypotonia, vasomotor disturbances, constipation, drooling, and bruxism. Prior studies suggest that HPA axis activity may be altered in MDS and measures of HPA axis activity may offer insight into disease severity. METHODS To ascertain whether cortisol profiles are a potential biomarker of clinical severity, diurnal profiles of cortisol and the cortisol awakening response were examined from saliva samples in 31 participants with MDS (ages 2-24 years), and 27 of these samples were usable. Documentation of a positive diagnostic test for MECP2 duplication was required for entry into the study. Samples were collected on each of two consecutive weekdays at four time points during the day: immediately after waking, 30 min after waking, between 3 and 4 PM, and in the evening before bedtime. Correlations with duplication size, clinical severity, sleep problems, and behavior were also examined. RESULTS Results revealed that a majority of participants with MDS exhibit a declining cortisol awakening response (n = 17). A declining CAR was significantly associated with increased clinical severity scores (r = - .508; p = .03), larger duplication size, waking later, and an increased number of hospitalizations for infections. CONCLUSIONS Future mechanistic studies will have to determine whether the declining CAR in MDS is attributable to problems with "flip-flop switching" of regional brain activation (involving the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the hippocampus, and the HPA axis) that is responsible for the switch from reduced to increased adrenal sensitivity. Taken together, results suggest the possibility that cortisol profiles could potentially be a biomarker of clinical severity and utilized for the purposes of patient stratification for future clinical trials in MDS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarika U Peters
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA.
- Deparment of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, PMB 74, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN, 37203-5721, USA.
| | - Cary Fu
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA
| | | | - Douglas A Granger
- University of California, Irvine, and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| |
Collapse
|