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McGhee CA, Honari H, Siqueiros-Sanchez M, Serur Y, van Staalduinen EK, Stevenson D, Bruno JL, Raman MM, Green T. Influences of RASopathies on Neuroanatomical Variation in Children. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024; 9:858-870. [PMID: 38621478 PMCID: PMC11381177 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND RASopathies are a group of disorders characterized by pathogenic mutations in the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (Ras/MAPK) signaling pathway. Distinct pathogenic variants in genes encoding proteins in the Ras/MAPK pathway cause Noonan syndrome (NS) and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), which are associated with increased risk for autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. METHODS This study examined the effect of RASopathies (NS and NF1) on human neuroanatomy, specifically on surface area (SA), cortical thickness (CT), and subcortical volumes. Using vertex-based analysis for cortical measures and Desikan region of interest parcellation for subcortical volumes, we compared structural T1-weighted images of children with RASopathies (n = 91, mean age = 8.81 years, SD = 2.12) to those of sex- and age-matched typically developing children (n = 74, mean age = 9.07 years, SD = 1.77). RESULTS Compared with typically developing children, RASopathies had convergent effects on SA and CT, exhibiting increased SA in the precentral gyrus, decreased SA in occipital regions, and thinner CT in the precentral gyrus. RASopathies exhibited divergent effects on subcortical volumes, with syndrome-specific influences from NS and NF1. Overall, children with NS showed decreased volumes in striatal and thalamic structures, and children with NF1 displayed increased volumes in the hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals the converging and diverging neuroanatomical effects of RASopathies on human neurodevelopment. The convergence of cortical effects on SA and CT indicates a shared influence of Ras/MAPK hyperactivation on the human brain. Therefore, considering these measures as objective outcome indicators for targeted treatments is imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Alexa McGhee
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
| | - Hamed Honari
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | | | - Yaffa Serur
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Eric K van Staalduinen
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - David Stevenson
- Division of Medical Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Jennifer L Bruno
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Mira Michelle Raman
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Tamar Green
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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Danieli PP, Hoang N, Selvanayagam T, Yang A, Breetvelt E, Tabbers M, Cohen C, Aelvoet AS, Trost B, Ward T, Semotiuk K, Durno C, Aronson M, Cohen Z, Dekker E, Vorstman J. Autistic traits in youth with familial adenomatous polyposis: A Dutch-Canadian case-control study. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2024:e32999. [PMID: 38967411 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the neurodevelopmental impact of pathogenic adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene variants in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a cancer predisposition syndrome. We hypothesized that certain pathogenic APC variants result in behavioral-cognitive challenges. We compared 66 FAP patients (cases) and 34 unaffected siblings (controls) to explore associations between APC variants and behavioral and cognitive challenges. Our findings indicate that FAP patients exhibited higher Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) scores, suggesting a greater prevalence of autistic traits when compared to unaffected siblings (mean 53.8 vs. 47.4, Wilcoxon p = 0.018). The distribution of SRS scores in cases suggested a bimodal pattern, potentially linked to the location of the APC variant, with scores increasing from the 5' to 3' end of the gene (Pearson's r = 0.33, p = 0.022). While we observed a trend toward lower educational attainment in cases, this difference was not statistically significant. This study is the first to explore the connection between APC variant location and neurodevelopmental traits in FAP, expanding our understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlation. Our results emphasize the importance of clinical assessment for autistic traits in FAP patients, shedding light on the potential role of APC gene variants in these behavioral and cognitive challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina Perlman Danieli
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ny Hoang
- Department of Genetic Counselling, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thanuja Selvanayagam
- Department of Genetic Counselling, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alvin Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elemi Breetvelt
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Merit Tabbers
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development and Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism Research Institutes, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christine Cohen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur S Aelvoet
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brett Trost
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas Ward
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kara Semotiuk
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carol Durno
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology & Nutrition, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melyssa Aronson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zane Cohen
- The Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry at the Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Evelien Dekker
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob Vorstman
- Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Developmental Psychopathology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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3
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Debbaut E, Steyaert J, El Bakkali M. Autism spectrum disorder profiles in RASopathies: A systematic review. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2024; 12:e2428. [PMID: 38581124 PMCID: PMC10997847 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.2428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RASopathies are associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) there is ample evidence for this increased risk, while for other RASopathies this association has been studied less. No specific ASD profile has been delineated so far for RASopathies or a specific RASopathy individually. METHODS We conducted a systematic review to investigate whether a specific RASopathy is associated with a specific ASD profile, or if RASopathies altogether have a distinct ASD profile compared to idiopathic ASD (iASD). We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Open Grey for data about ASD features in RASopathies and potential modifiers. RESULTS We included 41 articles on ASD features in NF1, Noonan syndrome (NS), Costello syndrome (CS), and cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (CFC). Individuals with NF1, NS, CS, and CFC on average have higher ASD symptomatology than healthy controls and unaffected siblings, though less than people with iASD. There is insufficient evidence for a distinct ASD phenotype in RASopathies compared to iASD or when RASopathies are compared with each other. We identified several potentially modifying factors of ASD symptoms in RASopathies. CONCLUSIONS Our systematic review found no convincing evidence for a specific ASD profile in RASopathies compared to iASD, or in a specific RASopathy compared to other RASopathies. However, we identified important limitations in the research literature which may also account for this result. These limitations are discussed and recommendations for future research are formulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Debbaut
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of NeurosciencesKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes)KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Jean Steyaert
- Center for Developmental Psychiatry, Department of NeurosciencesKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes)KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
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Chen JL, Miller DT, Schmidt LS, Malkin D, Korf BR, Eng C, Kwiatkowski DJ, Giannikou K. Mosaicism in Tumor Suppressor Gene Syndromes: Prevalence, Diagnostic Strategies, and Transmission Risk. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2022; 23:331-361. [PMID: 36044908 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-120121-105450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A mosaic state arises when pathogenic variants are acquired in certain cell lineages during postzygotic development, and mosaic individuals may present with a generalized or localized phenotype. Here, we review the current state of knowledge regarding mosaicism for eight common tumor suppressor genes-NF1, NF2, TSC1, TSC2, PTEN, VHL, RB1, and TP53-and their related genetic syndromes/entities. We compare and discuss approaches for comprehensive diagnostic genetic testing, the spectrum of variant allele frequency, and disease severity. We also review affected individuals who have no mutation identified after conventional genetic analysis, as well as genotype-phenotype correlations and transmission risk for each tumor suppressor gene in full heterozygous and mosaic patients. This review provides new insight into similarities as well as marked differences regarding the appreciation of mosaicism in these tumor suppressor syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian L Chen
- Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; .,Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David T Miller
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Laura S Schmidt
- Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - David Malkin
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bruce R Korf
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Germline High Risk Cancer Focus Group, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - David J Kwiatkowski
- Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Krinio Giannikou
- Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; .,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA;
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5
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Houpt AC, Schwartz SE, Coover RA. Assessing Psychiatric Comorbidity and Pharmacologic Treatment Patterns Among Patients With Neurofibromatosis Type 1. Cureus 2021; 13:e20244. [PMID: 35004058 PMCID: PMC8735883 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objective Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder that is accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in more than half of the patients. However, there are limited data describing optimal treatment strategies for these conditions. This study aimed to address that gap in understanding and explore the neurobiological basis of psychiatric comorbidities in NF1. Materials and methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among NF1 patients with a comorbid diagnosis of depression, anxiety, and/or ADHD. These disease states were chosen based on their relatively high reported prevalence in NF1 and shared pathophysiological mechanisms via monoaminergic dysfunction. Information regarding demographics, psychotherapeutic medication use, and clinical outcomes was gathered from electronic medical records. Relationships between patient- and medication-related factors and outcome measures were assessed using statistical analysis. Results The study population (n = 82) consisted of NF1 patients with a comorbid diagnosis of depression (76.8%), anxiety (53.7%), and/or ADHD (23.2%). The use of second-generation antipsychotic agent augmentation therapy or hydroxyzine monotherapy was associated with significantly more behavioral health (BH)-related emergency department (ED) visits, admissions, and inpatient days in the study population. Conversely, the use of bupropion augmentation therapy, buspirone augmentation therapy, and stimulants was associated with improved clinical outcomes, though these results were not statistically significant. Conclusions Based on our findings in this real-world study setting, patients with NF1 and psychiatric comorbidities appear to experience significant benefits from medications that enhance dopaminergic neurotransmission (e.g., bupropion, stimulants) when compared to drugs that oppose it (e.g., second-generation antipsychotics).
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6
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Kehrer-Sawatzki H, Wahlländer U, Cooper DN, Mautner VF. Atypical NF1 Microdeletions: Challenges and Opportunities for Genotype/Phenotype Correlations in Patients with Large NF1 Deletions. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101639. [PMID: 34681033 PMCID: PMC8535936 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and type 1 NF1 deletions often exhibit more severe clinical manifestations than patients with intragenic NF1 gene mutations, including facial dysmorphic features, overgrowth, severe global developmental delay, severe autistic symptoms and considerably reduced cognitive abilities, all of which are detectable from a very young age. Type 1 NF1 deletions encompass 1.4 Mb and are associated with the loss of 14 protein-coding genes, including NF1 and SUZ12. Atypical NF1 deletions, which do not encompass all 14 protein-coding genes located within the type 1 NF1 deletion region, have the potential to contribute to the delineation of the genotype/phenotype relationship in patients with NF1 microdeletions. Here, we review all atypical NF1 deletions reported to date as well as the clinical phenotype observed in the patients concerned. We compare these findings with those of a newly identified atypical NF1 deletion of 698 kb which, in addition to the NF1 gene, includes five genes located centromeric to NF1. The atypical NF1 deletion in this patient does not include the SUZ12 gene but does encompass CRLF3. Comparative analysis of such atypical NF1 deletions suggests that SUZ12 hemizygosity is likely to contribute significantly to the reduced cognitive abilities, severe global developmental delay and facial dysmorphisms observed in patients with type 1 NF1 deletions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hildegard Kehrer-Sawatzki
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-731-500-65421
| | - Ute Wahlländer
- Kliniken des Bezirks Oberbayern (KBO), Children Clinical Center Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany;
| | - David N. Cooper
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK;
| | - Victor-Felix Mautner
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
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7
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Rahn RM, Weichselbaum CT, Gutmann DH, Dougherty JD, Maloney SE. Shared developmental gait disruptions across two mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:10. [PMID: 33743598 PMCID: PMC7980331 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09359-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motor deficits such as abnormal gait are an underappreciated yet characteristic phenotype of many neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including Williams Syndrome (WS) and Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Compared to cognitive phenotypes, gait phenotypes are readily and comparably assessed in both humans and model organisms and are controlled by well-defined CNS circuits. Discovery of a common gait phenotype between NDDs might suggest shared cellular and molecular deficits and highlight simple outcome variables to potentially quantify longitudinal treatment efficacy in NDDs. METHODS We characterized gait using the DigiGait assay in two different murine NDD models: the complete deletion (CD) mouse, which models hemizygous loss of the complete WS locus, and the Nf1+/R681X mouse, which models a NF1 patient-derived heterozygous germline NF1 mutation. Longitudinal data were collected across four developmental time points (postnatal days 21-30) and one early adulthood time point. RESULTS Compared to wildtype littermate controls, both models displayed markedly similar spatial, temporal, and postural gait abnormalities during development. Developing CD mice also displayed significant decreases in variability metrics. Multiple gait abnormalities observed across development in the Nf1+/R681X mice persisted into early adulthood, including increased stride length and decreased stride frequency, while developmental abnormalities in the CD model largely resolved by adulthood. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the subcomponents of gait affected in NDDs show overlap between disorders as well as some disorder-specific features, which may change over the course of development. Our incorporation of spatial, temporal, and postural gait measures also provides a template for gait characterization in other NDD models and a platform to examining circuits or longitudinal therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Rahn
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.,Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA
| | - Claire T Weichselbaum
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA
| | - David H Gutmann
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.,Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA
| | - Susan E Maloney
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA. .,Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110-1093, USA.
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8
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Morris SM, Acosta MT, Garg S, Green J, Legius E, North K, Payne JM, Weiss LA, Constantino JN, Gutmann DH. Autism in neurofibromatosis type 1: misuse of covariance to dismiss autistic trait burden. Dev Med Child Neurol 2021; 63:233-234. [PMID: 32815557 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Morris
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Maria T Acosta
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shruti Garg
- Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Eric Legius
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kathryn North
- Department of Pediatrics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Payne
- Department of Pediatrics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Lauren A Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John N Constantino
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David H Gutmann
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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9
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Kehrer-Sawatzki H, Kluwe L, Salamon J, Well L, Farschtschi S, Rosenbaum T, Mautner VF. Clinical characterization of children and adolescents with NF1 microdeletions. Childs Nerv Syst 2020; 36:2297-2310. [PMID: 32533297 PMCID: PMC7575500 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-020-04717-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE An estimated 5-11% of patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) harbour NF1 microdeletions encompassing the NF1 gene and its flanking regions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical phenotype in children and adolescents with NF1 microdeletions. METHODS We retrospectively analysed 30 children and adolescents with NF1 microdeletions pertaining to externally visible neurofibromas. The internal tumour load was determined by volumetry of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 20 children and adolescents with NF1 microdeletions. Furthermore, the prevalence of global developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were evaluated. RESULTS Children and adolescents with NF1 microdeletions had significantly more often cutaneous, subcutaneous and externally visible plexiform neurofibromas than age-matched patients with intragenic NF1 mutations. Internal neurofibromas were detected in all 20 children and adolescents with NF1 microdeletions analysed by whole-body MRI. By contrast, only 17 (61%) of 28 age-matched NF1 patients without microdeletions had internal tumours. The total internal tumour load was significantly higher in NF1 microdeletion patients than in NF1 patients without microdeletions. Global developmental delay was observed in 28 (93%) of 30 children with NF1 microdeletions investigated. The mean full-scale intelligence quotient in our patient group was 77.7 which is significantly lower than that of patients with intragenic NF1 mutations. ADHD was diagnosed in 15 (88%) of 17 children and adolescents with NF1 microdeletion. Furthermore, 17 (71%) of the 24 patients investigated had T-scores ≥ 60 up to 75, indicative of mild to moderate autistic symptoms, which are consequently significantly more frequent in patients with NF1 microdeletions than in the general NF1 population. Also, the mean total T-score was significantly higher in patients with NF1 microdeletions than in the general NF1 population. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that already at a very young age, NF1 microdeletions patients frequently exhibit a severe disease manifestation which requires specialized long-term clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hildegard Kehrer-Sawatzki
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm and University of Ulm Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Lan Kluwe
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Salamon
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lennart Well
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Said Farschtschi
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Victor-Felix Mautner
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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10
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Anastasaki C, Wegscheid ML, Hartigan K, Papke JB, Kopp ND, Chen J, Cobb O, Dougherty JD, Gutmann DH. Human iPSC-Derived Neurons and Cerebral Organoids Establish Differential Effects of Germline NF1 Gene Mutations. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 14:541-550. [PMID: 32243842 PMCID: PMC7160375 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a spectrum of distinct germline NF1 gene mutations, traditionally viewed as equivalent loss-of-function alleles. To specifically address the issue of mutational equivalency in a disease with considerable clinical heterogeneity, we engineered seven isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cell lines, each with a different NF1 patient NF1 mutation, to identify potential differential effects of NF1 mutations on human central nervous system cells and tissues. Although all mutations increased proliferation and RAS activity in 2D neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and astrocytes, we observed striking differences between NF1 mutations on 2D NPC dopamine levels, and 3D NPC proliferation, apoptosis, and neuronal differentiation in developing cerebral organoids. Together, these findings demonstrate differential effects of NF1 gene mutations at the cellular and tissue levels, suggesting that the germline NF1 gene mutation is one factor that underlies clinical variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina Anastasaki
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michelle L Wegscheid
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kelly Hartigan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jason B Papke
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nathan D Kopp
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jiayang Chen
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Olivia Cobb
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David H Gutmann
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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11
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Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Implicates Ras Pathways in the Genetic Architecture of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Behav Genet 2020; 50:191-202. [DOI: 10.1007/s10519-020-09991-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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12
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Examination of the genetic factors underlying the cognitive variability associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. Genet Med 2020; 22:889-897. [PMID: 32015538 PMCID: PMC7200599 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-020-0752-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder associated with cognitive deficits. The NF1 cognitive phenotype is generally considered to be highly variable, possibly due to the observed T2-weighted hyperintensities, loss of heterozygosity, NF1-specific genetic modifiers, or allelic imbalance. Methods We investigated cognitive variability and assessed the contribution of genetic factors by performing a retrospective cohort study and a monozygotic twin case series. We included data of 497 children with genetically confirmed NF1 and an IQ assessment, including 12 monozygotic twin and 17 sibling sets. Results Individuals carrying an NF1 chromosomal microdeletion showed significant lower full-scale IQ (FSIQ) scores than individuals carrying intragenic pathogenic NF1 variants. For the intragenic subgroup, the variability in cognitive ability and the correlation of IQ between monozygotic NF1 twin pairs or between NF1 siblings is similar to the general population. Conclusions The variance and heritability of IQ in individuals with NF1 are similar to that of the general population, and hence mostly driven by genetic background differences. The only factor that significantly attenuates IQ in NF1 individuals is the NF1 chromosomal microdeletion genotype. Implications for clinical management are that individuals with intragenic NF1 variants that score <1.5–2 SD below the mean of the NF1 population should be screened for additional causes of cognitive disability.
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Anastasaki C, Gao F, Gutmann DH. Commentary: Identification of Mutation Regions on NF1 Responsible for High- and Low-Risk Development of Optic Pathway Glioma in Neurofibromatosis Type I. Front Genet 2019; 10:115. [PMID: 30881378 PMCID: PMC6405421 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Corina Anastasaki
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - David H Gutmann
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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14
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Molosh AI, Shekhar A. Neurofibromatosis type 1 as a model system to study molecular mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder symptoms. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2018; 241:37-62. [PMID: 30447756 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is monogenic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutation of NF1 gene, which leads to increased susceptibility to various tumors formations. Additionally, majority of patients with NF1 are experience high incidence of cognitive deficits. Particularly, we review the growing number of reports demonstrated a higher incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in individuals with NF1. In this review we also discuss face validity of preclinical Nf1 mouse models. Then we describe discoveries from these animal models that have uncovered the deficiencies in the regulation of Ras and other intracellular pathways as critical mechanisms underlying the Nf1 cognitive problems. We also summarize and interpret recent preclinical and clinical studies that point toward potential pharmacological therapies for NF1 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei I Molosh
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
| | - Anantha Shekhar
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States; Indiana Clinical and Translational Institute, IU School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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15
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Freret ME, Gutmann DH. Insights into optic pathway glioma vision loss from mouse models of neurofibromatosis type 1. J Neurosci Res 2018; 97:45-56. [PMID: 29704429 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common cancer predisposition syndrome caused by mutations in the NF1 gene. The NF1-encoded protein (neurofibromin) is an inhibitor of the oncoprotein RAS and controls cell growth and survival. Individuals with NF1 are prone to developing low-grade tumors of the optic nerves, chiasm, tracts, and radiations, termed optic pathway gliomas (OPGs), which can cause vision loss. A paucity of surgical tumor specimens and of patient-derived xenografts for investigative studies has limited our understanding of human NF1-associated OPG (NF1-OPG). However, mice genetically engineered to harbor Nf1 gene mutations develop optic gliomas that share many features of their human counterparts. These genetically engineered mouse (GEM) strains have provided important insights into the cellular and molecular determinants that underlie mouse Nf1 optic glioma development, maintenance, and associated vision loss, with relevance by extension to human NF1-OPG disease. Herein, we review our current understanding of NF1-OPG pathobiology and describe the mechanisms responsible for tumor initiation, growth, and associated vision loss in Nf1 GEM models. We also discuss how Nf1 GEM and other preclinical models can be deployed to identify and evaluate molecularly targeted therapies for OPG, particularly as they pertain to future strategies aimed at preventing or improving tumor-associated vision loss in children with NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan E Freret
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - David H Gutmann
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Campen CJ, Greenwood RS. Comment: Genotype–phenotype correlations in NF1: A case for routine genetic testing. Neurology 2018; 90:380. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000005009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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17
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Freret ME, Gutmann DH. Optic pathway gliomas in neurofibromatosis-1: controversies and recommendations. Ann Neurol 2007; 61:189-98. [PMID: 17387725 PMCID: PMC5908242 DOI: 10.1002/ana.21107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 367] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Optic pathway glioma (OPG), seen in 15% to 20% of individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), account for significant morbidity in young children with NF1. Overwhelmingly a tumor of children younger than 7 years, OPG may present in individuals with NF1 at any age. Although many OPG may remain indolent and never cause signs or symptoms, others lead to vision loss, proptosis, or precocious puberty. Because the natural history and treatment of NF1-associated OPG is different from that of sporadic OPG in individuals without NF1, a task force composed of basic scientists and clinical researchers was assembled in 1997 to propose a set of guidelines for the diagnosis and management of NF1-associated OPG. This new review highlights advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical behavior of these tumors made over the last 10 years. Controversies in both the diagnosis and management of these tumors are examined. Finally, specific evidence-based recommendations are proposed for clinicians caring for children with NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David H. Gutmann
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: Telephone: 314-362-7379, Facsimile: 314-362-2388,
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