1
|
Nguyen TQ, Kerley CI, Key AP, Maxwell-Horn AC, Wells QS, Neul JL, Cutting LE, Landman BA. Phenotyping Down syndrome: discovery and predictive modelling with electronic medical records. J Intellect Disabil Res 2024; 68:491-511. [PMID: 38303157 PMCID: PMC11023778 DOI: 10.1111/jir.13124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have a heightened risk for various co-occurring health conditions, including congenital heart disease (CHD). In this two-part study, electronic medical records (EMRs) were leveraged to examine co-occurring health conditions among individuals with DS (Study 1) and to investigate health conditions linked to surgical intervention among DS cases with CHD (Study 2). METHODS De-identified EMRs were acquired from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and facilitated creating a cohort of N = 2282 DS cases (55% females), along with comparison groups for each study. In Study 1, DS cases were one-by-two sex and age matched with samples of case-controls and of individuals with other intellectual and developmental difficulties (IDDs). The phenome-disease association study (PheDAS) strategy was employed to reveal co-occurring health conditions in DS versus comparison groups, which were then ranked for how often they are discussed in relation to DS using the PubMed database and Novelty Finding Index. In Study 2, a subset of DS individuals with CHD [N = 1098 (48%)] were identified to create longitudinal data for N = 204 cases with surgical intervention (19%) versus 204 case-controls. Data were included in predictive models and assessed which model-based health conditions, when more prevalent, would increase the likelihood of surgical intervention. RESULTS In Study 1, relative to case-controls and those with other IDDs, co-occurring health conditions among individuals with DS were confirmed to include heart failure, pulmonary heart disease, atrioventricular block, heart transplant/surgery and primary pulmonary hypertension (circulatory); hypothyroidism (endocrine/metabolic); and speech and language disorder and Alzheimer's disease (neurological/mental). Findings also revealed more versus less prevalent co-occurring health conditions in individuals with DS when comparing with those with other IDDs. Findings with high Novelty Finding Index were abnormal electrocardiogram, non-rheumatic aortic valve disorders and heart failure (circulatory); acid-base balance disorder (endocrine/metabolism); and abnormal blood chemistry (symptoms). In Study 2, the predictive models revealed that among individuals with DS and CHD, presence of health conditions such as congestive heart failure (circulatory), valvular heart disease and cardiac shunt (congenital), and pleural effusion and pulmonary collapse (respiratory) were associated with increased likelihood of surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS Research efforts using EMRs and rigorous statistical methods could shed light on the complexity in health profile among individuals with DS and other IDDs and motivate precision-care development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Q Nguyen
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - C I Kerley
- School of Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - A P Key
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - A C Maxwell-Horn
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Q S Wells
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - J L Neul
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - L E Cutting
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - B A Landman
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- School of Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Raspa M, Gwaltney A, Bann C, von Hehn J, Benke TA, Marsh ED, Peters SU, Ananth A, Percy AK, Neul JL. Psychometric Assessment of the Rett Syndrome Caregiver Assessment of Symptom Severity (RCASS). J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06238-0. [PMID: 38438817 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06238-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Rett syndrome is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that affects about 1 in 10,000 females. Clinical trials of disease modifying therapies are on the rise, but there are few psychometrically sound caregiver-reported outcome measures available to assess treatment benefit. We report on a new caregiver-reported outcome measure, the Rett Caregiver Assessment of Symptom Severity (RCASS). Using data from the Rett Natural History Study (n = 649), we examined the factor structure, using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and the reliability and validity of the RCASS. The four-factor model had the best overall fit, which covered movement, communication, behavior, and Rett-specific symptoms. The RCASS had moderate internal consistency. Strong face validity was found with age and mutation type, and convergent validity was established with other similar measures, including the Revised Motor-Behavior Assessment Scale, Clinical Severity Scale, Clinical Global Impression Scale, and the Child Health Questionnaire. These data provide initial evidence that the RCASS is a viable caregiver-outcome measure for use in clinical trials in Rett syndrome. Future work to assess sensitivity to change and other measures of reliability, such as test-retest and inter-rater agreement, are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Raspa
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27708, USA.
| | - Angela Gwaltney
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Carla Bann
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27708, USA
| | | | - Timothy A Benke
- Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, USA
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Sarika U Peters
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA
| | - Amitha Ananth
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Alan K Percy
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Neul JL, Percy AK, Benke TA, Berry-Kravis EM, Glaze DG, Peters SU, Marsh ED, An D, Bishop KM, Youakim JM. Trofinetide Treatment Demonstrates a Benefit Over Placebo for the Ability to Communicate in Rett Syndrome. Pediatr Neurol 2024; 152:63-72. [PMID: 38232652 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trofinetide was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Rett syndrome (RTT) in March 2023. Benefiting the ability to communicate in RTT is often identified as the most important caregiver goal for new therapies. This analysis reports the communication-related end points from the phase 3 LAVENDER study of trofinetide in RTT. METHODS Females with RTT, aged five to 20 years, were randomized 1:1 to trofinetide or placebo for 12 weeks. Secondary efficacy end points related to communication were based on change from baseline to week 12 and included the caregiver-rated Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile™ Infant-Toddler Checklist (CSBS-DP-IT) Social Composite score (key secondary end point; scores ranged from 0 to 26 [higher scores indicated better communication]) and novel clinician rating scales (0 [normal] to 7 [severe impairment]) measuring the ability to communicate choices nonverbally (RTT-COMC) and verbally (RTT-VCOM). RESULTS Trofinetide demonstrated a statistically significant difference versus placebo for the CSBS-DP-IT Social Composite score (least squares mean [LSM] difference = 1.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3 to 1.7; P = 0.0064; Cohen's d effect size = 0.43) and a nominally significant difference for the RTT-COMC (LSM difference: -0.3; 95% CI, -0.6 to -0.0; P = 0.0257; Cohen's d effect size = 0.36). As expected, there was no difference for the RTT-VCOM. CONCLUSIONS Significant treatment benefit for trofinetide versus placebo was observed in scales measuring the ability to communicate. These scales may be appropriate for future clinical studies in RTT and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Alan K Percy
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Timothy A Benke
- Children's Hospital of Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - Daniel G Glaze
- Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Sarika U Peters
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Di An
- Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc, San Diego, California
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Neul JL. Challenges in developing therapies in fragile X syndrome: how the FXLEARN trial can guide research. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e175036. [PMID: 38426491 PMCID: PMC10904042 DOI: 10.1172/jci175036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and the single-gene cause of autism, is caused by decreased expression of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein protein (FMRP), a ribosomal-associated RNA-binding protein involved in translational repression. Extensive preclinical work in several FXS animal models supported the therapeutic potential of decreasing metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) signaling to correct translation of proteins related to synaptic plasticity; however, multiple clinical trials failed to show conclusive evidence of efficacy. In this issue of the JCI, Berry-Kravis and colleagues conducted the FXLEARN clinical trial to address experimental design concerns from previous trials. Unfortunately, despite treatment of young children with combined pharmacological and learning interventions for a prolonged period, no efficacy of blocking mGluR activity was observed. Future systematic evaluation of potential therapeutic approaches should evaluate consistency between human and animal pathophysiological mechanisms, utilize innovative clinical trial design from FXLEARN, and incorporate translatable biomarkers.
Collapse
|
5
|
Fang X, Baggett LM, Caylor RC, Percy AK, Neul JL, Lane JB, Glaze DG, Benke TA, Marsh ED, Motil KJ, Barrish JO, Annese FE, Skinner SA. Parental age effects and Rett syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2024; 194:160-173. [PMID: 37768187 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder, and pathogenic Methyl-CpG-binding Protein 2 (MECP2) variants are identified in >95% of individuals with typical RTT. Most of RTT-causing variants in MECP2 are de novo and usually on the paternally inherited X chromosome. While paternal age has been reported to be associated with increased risk of genetic disorders, it is unknown whether parental age contributes to the risk of the development of RTT. Clinical data including parental age, RTT diagnostic status, and clinical severity are collected from 1226 participants with RTT and confirmed MECP2 variants. Statistical analyses are performed using Student t-test, single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multi-factor regression. No significant difference is observed in parental ages of RTT probands compared to that of the general population. A small increase in parental ages is observed in participants with missense variants compared to those with nonsense variants. When we evaluate the association between clinical severity and parental ages by multiple regression analysis, there is no clear association between clinical severity and parental ages. Advanced parental ages do not appear to be a risk factor for RTT, and do not contribute to the clinical severity in individuals with RTT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Fang
- Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Alan K Percy
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jane B Lane
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - Tim A Benke
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado-Aurora, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kathleen J Motil
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Fran E Annese
- Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kennedy M, Glass L, Glaze DG, Kaminsky S, Percy AK, Neul JL, Jones NE, Tropea D, Horrigan JP, Nues P, Bishop KM, Youakim JM. Development of trofinetide for the treatment of Rett syndrome: from bench to bedside. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1341746. [PMID: 38318312 PMCID: PMC10839050 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1341746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene that encodes methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), a DNA-binding protein with roles in epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Functional loss of MeCP2 results in abnormal neuronal maturation and plasticity, characterized by loss of verbal communication and loss of fine and gross motor function, among others. Trofinetide, a synthetic analog of glycine-proline-glutamate, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of RTT in adult and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older. Here, we present the development of trofinetide from bench research to clinical studies and emphasize how the collaboration between academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and patient advocacy led to the recent approval. The bench-to-bedside development of trofinetide underscores the value of collaboration between these groups in the development and approval of treatments for rare diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Kennedy
- International Rett Syndrome Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Larry Glass
- Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel G. Glaze
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Steve Kaminsky
- International Rett Syndrome Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Alan K. Percy
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | | | - Daniela Tropea
- Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Joseph P. Horrigan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Paige Nues
- International Rett Syndrome Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Neul JL, Benke TA, Marsh ED, Suter B, Silveira L, Fu C, Peters SU, Percy AK. Top caregiver concerns in Rett syndrome and related disorders: data from the US natural history study. J Neurodev Disord 2023; 15:33. [PMID: 37833681 PMCID: PMC10571464 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-023-09502-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent advances in the understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett syndrome (RTT) have enabled the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches that require formal clinical evaluation of efficacy. Clinical trial success depends on outcome measures that assess clinical features that are most impactful for affected individuals. To determine the top concerns in RTT and RTT-related disorders we asked caregivers to list the top caregiver concerns to guide the development and selection of appropriate clinical trial outcome measures for these disorders. METHODS Caregivers of participants enrolled in the US Natural History Study of RTT and RTT-related disorders (n = 925) were asked to identify the top 3 concerning problems impacting the affected participant. We generated a weighted list of top caregiver concerns for each of the diagnostic categories and compared results between the disorders. Further, for classic RTT, caregiver concerns were analyzed by age, clinical severity, and common RTT-causing mutations in MECP2. RESULTS The top caregiver concerns for classic RTT were effective communication, seizures, walking/balance issues, lack of hand use, and constipation. The frequency of the top caregiver concerns for classic RTT varied by age, clinical severity, and specific mutations, consistent with known variation in the frequency of clinical features across these domains. Caregivers of participants with increased seizure severity often ranked seizures as the first concern, whereas caregivers of participants without active seizures often ranked hand use or communication as the top concern. Comparison across disorders found commonalities in the top caregiver concerns between classic RTT, atypical RTT, MECP2 duplication syndrome, CDKL5 deficiency disorder, and FOXG1 syndrome; however, distinct differences in caregiver concerns between these disorders are consistent with the relative prevalence and impact of specific clinical features. CONCLUSION The top caregiver concerns for individuals with RTT and RTT-related disorders reflect the impact of the primary clinical symptoms of these disorders. This work is critical in the development of meaningful therapies, as optimal therapy should address these concerns. Further, outcome measures to be utilized in clinical trials should assess these clinical issues identified as most concerning by caregivers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Neul
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Timothy A Benke
- University of Colorado School of Medicine/Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Lori Silveira
- University of Colorado School of Medicine/Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Cary Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sarika U Peters
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alan K Percy
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Neul JL, Benke TA, Marsh ED, Lane JB, Lieberman DN, Skinner SA, Glaze DG, Suter B, Heydemann PT, Beisang AA, Standridge SM, Ryther RCC, Haas RH, Edwards LJ, Ananth A, Percy AK. Distribution of hand function by age in individuals with Rett syndrome. Ann Child Neurol Soc 2023; 1:228-238. [PMID: 38496825 PMCID: PMC10939125 DOI: 10.1002/cns3.20038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Objective To determine the longitudinal distribution of hand function skills in individuals with classic Rett Syndrome (RTT), an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder, and correlate with MECP2 variants. Method We conducted a longitudinal study of 946 girls and young women with typical RTT seen between 2006 and 2021 in the US Natural History Study (NHS) featuring a structured clinical evaluation to assess the level of hand function skills. The specific focus in this study was to assess longitudinal variation of hand skills from age 2 through age 18 years in relation to specific MECP2 variant groups. Results Following the initial regression period, hand function continues to decline across the age spectrum in individuals with RTT. Specific differences are noted with steeper declines in hand function among those with milder variants (Group A: R133C, R294X, R306C, and C-terminal truncations) compared to groups composed of individuals with more severe variants. Conclusions These temporal variations in hand use represent specific considerations which could influence the design of clinical trials that test therapies aiming to ameliorate specific functional limitations in individuals with RTT. Furthermore, the distinct impact of specific MECP2 variants on clinical severity, especially related to hand use, should be considered in such interventional trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tim A. Benke
- University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO
| | - Eric D. Marsh
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jane B. Lane
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lloyd J. Edwards
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Percy AK, Neul JL, Benke TA, Marsh ED, Glaze DG. A review of the Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire and its utilization in the assessment of symptoms associated with Rett syndrome. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1229553. [PMID: 37635789 PMCID: PMC10450502 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1229553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire (RSBQ), which is completed by the caregiver, is one of the most widely used efficacy measures in clinical studies of Rett syndrome (RTT) due to its specificity to the core features of RTT. As healthcare providers participate in routine healthcare assessments of individuals with RTT in clinical practice, there is a need for these providers to understand the psychometric properties of the RSBQ and how it relates to the core clinical features of RTT. Here, we describe the characteristics of the RSBQ, review the literature on its validity and reliability as well as its performance in a phase 2 study and the recent phase 3 LAVENDER study. The RSBQ was first shown to discriminate RTT from other intellectual disorders with good inter-rater and test-retest reliability scores. It was subsequently validated as an appropriate instrument for measuring behavior in females with RTT and adopted as a clinical trial outcome. In LAVENDER, the FDA-approved drug trofinetide significantly improved the RSBQ total score over placebo in girls and women with RTT and change from baseline for all RSBQ subscores were directionally in favor of trofinetide. The change in RSBQ was aligned with the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale, suggesting that improvement in behavioral components may be related to overall clinical status. Given its validity and ubiquity in RTT clinical studies, it is important that the interplay of the domains and the psychometric profile of the RSBQ are understood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan K. Percy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Timothy A. Benke
- Children’s Hospital of Colorado/University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Eric D. Marsh
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Daniel G. Glaze
- Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang D, Lang S, Wilken B, Einspieler C, Neul JL, Bölte S, Holzinger D, Freilinger M, Poustka L, Sigafoos J, Marschik PB. Learning about neurodiversity from parents - Auditory gestalt perception of prelinguistic vocalisations. Res Dev Disabil 2023; 138:104515. [PMID: 37104989 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infants with Rett syndrome (RTT) may have subtle anomalies in their prelinguistic vocalisations but the detection of these is difficult, since their conspicuous vocalisations are often interspersed with inconspicuous ones. AIMS AND METHODS Extending a previous study with predominantly non-parents, the present study sampled parents of children with RTT and aimed to examine their gestalt perception of prelinguistic vocalisations. METHODS AND PROCEDURE Parents (n = 76) of female children with RTT listened to vocalisation recordings from RTT and typically developing (TD) infants, including an inconspicuous vocalisation from a RTT girl. For each recording, parents indicated if the vocalisation was produced by a RTT or a TD child. RESULTS Overall correct to incorrect identification rate was 2:1, which was comparable to that of the previous study. Intriguingly, parents of RTT children seemed to be sensitive to features characterising the vocalisations of RTT infants, which has especially influenced their perception of the inconspicuous vocalisation from a RTT girl. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results invite further research on the potential characterising differences between vocalisations from TD infants and infants with divergent neurodevelopment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dajie Zhang
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; iDN-Interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; Leibniz Science Campus Primate Cognition, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Sigrun Lang
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wilken
- Social Pediatric Center, Clinic in Kassel, 34125 Kassel, Germany
| | - Christa Einspieler
- iDN-Interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Special Education, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
| | - Sven Bölte
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Region Stockholm, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden; Curtin Autism Research Group, Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
| | - Daniel Holzinger
- Institut für Sinnes- und Sprachneurologie, Konventhospital Barmherzige Brüder Linz, 4020 Linz, Austria; Research Institute for Developmental Medicine, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Michael Freilinger
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Luise Poustka
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jeff Sigafoos
- School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Peter B Marschik
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; iDN-Interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; Leibniz Science Campus Primate Cognition, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Region Stockholm, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Neul JL, Percy AK, Benke TA, Berry-Kravis EM, Glaze DG, Marsh ED, Lin T, Stankovic S, Bishop KM, Youakim JM. Trofinetide for the treatment of Rett syndrome: a randomized phase 3 study. Nat Med 2023; 29:1468-1475. [PMID: 37291210 PMCID: PMC10287558 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02398-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome is a rare, genetic neurodevelopmental disorder. Trofinetide is a synthetic analog of glycine-proline-glutamate, the N-terminal tripeptide of the insulin-like growth factor 1 protein, and has demonstrated clinical benefit in phase 2 studies in Rett syndrome. In this phase 3 study ( https://clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT04181723 ), females with Rett syndrome received twice-daily oral trofinetide (n = 93) or placebo (n = 94) for 12 weeks. For the coprimary efficacy endpoints, least squares mean (LSM) change from baseline to week 12 in the Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire for trofinetide versus placebo was -4.9 versus -1.7 (P = 0.0175; Cohen's d effect size, 0.37), and LSM Clinical Global Impression-Improvement at week 12 was 3.5 versus 3.8 (P = 0.0030; effect size, 0.47). For the key secondary efficacy endpoint, LSM change from baseline to week 12 in the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler Checklist Social Composite score was -0.1 versus -1.1 (P = 0.0064; effect size, 0.43). Common treatment-emergent adverse events included diarrhea (80.6% for trofinetide versus 19.1% for placebo), which was mostly mild to moderate in severity. Significant improvement for trofinetide compared with placebo was observed for the coprimary efficacy endpoints, suggesting that trofinetide provides benefit in treating the core symptoms of Rett syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alan K Percy
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Timothy A Benke
- Children's Hospital of Colorado and University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Daniel G Glaze
- Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tim Lin
- Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Saby JN, Peters SU, Benke TA, Standridge SM, Swanson LC, Lieberman DN, Olson HE, Key AP, Percy AK, Neul JL, Nelson CA, Roberts TPL, Marsh ED. Comparison of evoked potentials across four related developmental encephalopathies. J Neurodev Disord 2023; 15:10. [PMID: 36870948 PMCID: PMC9985257 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-023-09479-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developing biomarkers is a priority for drug development for all conditions, but vital in the rare neurodevelopmental disorders where sensitive outcome measures are lacking. We have previously demonstrated the feasibility and tracking of evoked potentials to disease severity in Rett syndrome and CDKL5 deficiency disorder. The aim of the current study is to characterize evoked potentials in two related developmental encephalopathies, MECP2 duplication syndrome and FOXG1 syndrome, and compare across all four groups to better understand the potential of these measures to serve as biomarkers of clinical severity for the developmental encephalopathies. METHODS Visual and auditory evoked potentials were acquired from participants with MECP2 duplication syndrome and FOXG1 syndrome across five sites of the Rett Syndrome and Rett-Related Disorders Natural History Study. A group of age-matched individuals (mean = 7.8 years; range = 1-17) with Rett syndrome, CDKL5 deficiency disorder, and typically-developing participants served as a comparison group. The analysis focused on group-level differences as well as associations between the evoked potentials and measures of clinical severity from the Natural History Study. RESULTS As reported previously, group-level comparisons revealed attenuated visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in participants with Rett syndrome (n = 43) and CDKL5 deficiency disorder (n = 16) compared to typically-developing participants. VEP amplitude was also attenuated in participants with MECP2 duplication syndrome (n = 15) compared to the typically-developing group. VEP amplitude correlated with clinical severity for Rett syndrome and FOXG1 syndrome (n = 5). Auditory evoked potential (AEP) amplitude did not differ between groups, but AEP latency was prolonged in individuals with MECP2 duplication syndrome (n = 14) and FOXG1 syndrome (n = 6) compared to individuals with Rett syndrome (n = 51) and CDKL5 deficiency disorder (n = 14). AEP amplitude correlated with severity in Rett syndrome and CDKL5 deficiency disorder. AEP latency correlated with severity in CDKL5 deficiency disorder, MECP2 duplication syndrome, and FOXG1 syndrome. CONCLUSIONS There are consistent abnormalities in the evoked potentials in four developmental encephalopathies some of which correlate with clinical severity. While there are consistent changes amongst these four disorders, there are also condition specific findings that need to be further refined and validated. Overall, these results provide a foundation for further refinement of these measures for use in future clinical trials for these conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joni N Saby
- Division of Radiology Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sarika U Peters
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Timothy A Benke
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurology,, Pharmacology and Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Shannon M Standridge
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, , USA
| | - Lindsay C Swanson
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David N Lieberman
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heather E Olson
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra P Key
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alan K Percy
- Department of Pediatrics (Neurology), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Charles A Nelson
- Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Timothy P L Roberts
- Division of Radiology Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Abramson Research Building- Room 502E, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Orphan Disease Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
May DM, Neul JL, Satija A, Cheng WY, Lema N, Boca A, Lefebvre P, Piña-Garza JE. Real-world clinical management of individuals with Rett syndrome: a physician survey. J Med Econ 2023; 26:1570-1580. [PMID: 37991281 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2023.2286778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder. Management strategies are heterogeneous with no clear definition of success. This study describes physician decision-making regarding diagnosis, therapeutic goals, and management strategies to better understand RTT clinical management in the US. METHODS This study was conducted among practicing physicians, specifically neurologists and pediatricians in the US with experience treating ≥2 individuals with RTT, including ≥1 individuals within the past two years. In-depth interviews with five physicians informed survey development. A cross-sectional survey was then conducted among 100 physicians. RESULTS Neurologists had treated more individuals with RTT (median: 12 vs. 5, p < 0.001) than pediatricians throughout their career and were more likely to report being "very comfortable" managing RTT (31 vs. 4%, p < 0.001). Among physicians with experience diagnosing RTT (93%), most evaluated symptoms (91%) or used genetic testing (86%) for RTT diagnoses; neurologists used the 2010 consensus diagnostic criteria more than pediatricians (54 vs. 29%; p = 0.012). Improving the quality of life (QOL) of individuals with RTT was the most important therapeutic goal among physicians, followed by improving caregivers' QOL. Most physicians used clinical practice guidelines to monitor the progress of individuals with RTT, although neurologists relied more on clinical scales than pediatricians. Among all physicians, the most commonly treated symptoms included behavioral issues, epilepsy/seizures, and feeding issues. Management strategies varied by symptom, with referral to appropriate specialists being common across symptoms. A large proportion of physicians (37%) identified the lack of novel therapies and reliance on symptom-specific management as an unmet need. CONCLUSION Although most physicians had experience and were comfortable diagnosing and treating individuals with RTT, better education and support among pediatricians is warranted. Additionally, novel treatments that target multiple symptoms associated with RTT could reduce the burden and improve the QOL of individuals with RTT and their caregivers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | | | - Neema Lema
- Analysis Group, Inc., Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Erickson KR, Farmer R, Merritt JK, Miletic Lanaghan Z, Does MD, Ramadass K, Landman BA, Cutting LE, Neul JL. Behavioral and brain anatomical analysis of Foxg1 heterozygous mice. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266861. [PMID: 36223387 PMCID: PMC9555627 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXG1 Syndrome (FS) is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder that is caused by a heterozygous loss-of-function (LOF) mutation of the FOXG1 gene, which encodes a transcriptional regulator important for telencephalic brain development. People with FS have marked developmental delays, impaired ambulation, movement disorders, seizures, and behavior abnormalities including autistic features. Current therapeutic approaches are entirely symptomatic, however the ability to rescue phenotypes in mouse models of other genetic neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and Phelan-McDermid syndrome by postnatal expression of gene products has led to hope that similar approaches could help modify the disease course in other neurodevelopmental disorders such as FS. While FoxG1 protein function plays a critical role in embryonic brain development, the ongoing adult expression of FoxG1 and behavioral phenotypes that present when FoxG1 function is removed postnatally provides support for opportunity for improvement with postnatal treatment. Here we generated a new mouse allele of Foxg1 that disrupts protein expression and characterized the behavioral and structural brain phenotypes in heterozygous mutant animals. These mutant animals display changes in locomotor behavior, gait, anxiety, social interaction, aggression, and learning and memory compared to littermate controls. Additionally, they have structural brain abnormalities reminiscent of people with FS. This information provides a framework for future studies to evaluate the potential for post-natal expression of FoxG1 to modify the disease course in this severe neurodevelopmental disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty R. Erickson
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Rebekah Farmer
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jonathan K. Merritt
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Zeljka Miletic Lanaghan
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Mark D. Does
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Karthik Ramadass
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Bennett A. Landman
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Laurie E. Cutting
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Special Education, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Special Education, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Percy AK, Neul JL, Rating D. In Memoriam: Folker Hanefeld, MD, PhD, June 28, 1937-May 9, 2022. J Child Neurol 2022. [PMID: 35934952 DOI: 10.1177/08830738221116242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alan K Percy
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pediatrics (Neurology) Birmingham, AL 35233
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pediatrics (Neurology) Birmingham, AL 35233
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Buchanan CB, Stallworth JL, Joy AE, Dixon RE, Scott AE, Beisang AA, Benke TA, Glaze DG, Haas RH, Heydemann PT, Jones MD, Lane JB, Lieberman DN, Marsh ED, Neul JL, Peters SU, Ryther RC, Skinner SA, Standridge SM, Kaufmann WE, Percy AK. Anxiety-like behavior and anxiolytic treatment in the Rett syndrome natural history study. J Neurodev Disord 2022; 14:31. [PMID: 35568815 PMCID: PMC9107202 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-022-09432-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder most often related to a pathogenic variant in the X-linked MECP2 gene. Internalizing behaviors appear to be common, but standard methods of diagnosing anxiety are not readily applied in this population which typically has cognitive impairment and limited expressive language. This study aims to describe the frequency of anxiety-like behavior and anxiolytic treatments along with associated clinical features in individuals with RTT. METHODS Parental reports and medication logs provided data from 1380 females with RTT participating in two iterations of the multicenter U.S. RTT Natural History Study (RNHS) from 2006 to 2019. RESULTS Most participants with RTT (77.5%) had at least occasional anxious or nervous behavior. Anxiety was reported to be the most troublesome concern for 2.6%, and within the top 3 concerns for 10.0%, of participants in the second iteration. Parents directly reported treatment for anxious or nervous behavior in 16.6% of participants in the second iteration with most reporting good control of the behavior (71.6%). In the medication logs of both RNHS iterations, the indication of anxiety was listed for a similar number of participants (15% and 14.5%, respectively). Increased use of anxiolytics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) was related to more frequent anxiety-like behaviors (P < 0.001), older age (P < 0.001), and mild MECP2 variants (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION Anxiety-like behavior is frequent at all ages and is a significant parental concern in RTT. Older individuals and those with mild MECP2 variants are more likely to be treated with medications. Better diagnosis and treatment of anxiety in RTT should be a goal of both future studies and clinical care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT00299312 and NCT02738281.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline B. Buchanan
- grid.418307.90000 0000 8571 0933Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Circle, Greenwood, SC 29649 USA
| | - Jennifer L. Stallworth
- grid.418307.90000 0000 8571 0933Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Circle, Greenwood, SC 29649 USA
| | - Aubin E. Joy
- grid.418307.90000 0000 8571 0933Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Circle, Greenwood, SC 29649 USA
| | - Rebekah E. Dixon
- grid.418307.90000 0000 8571 0933Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Circle, Greenwood, SC 29649 USA
| | - Alexandra E. Scott
- grid.418307.90000 0000 8571 0933Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Circle, Greenwood, SC 29649 USA
| | - Arthur A. Beisang
- grid.429065.c0000 0000 9002 4129Gillette Children’s Hospital, St. Paul, MN USA
| | - Timothy A. Benke
- grid.241116.10000000107903411Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado at Denver, Denver, CO USA
| | - Daniel G. Glaze
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XBaylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Richard H. Haas
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, University of California, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Peter T. Heydemann
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Mary D. Jones
- grid.414016.60000 0004 0433 7727UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital of Oakland, Oakland, CA USA
| | - Jane B. Lane
- grid.265892.20000000106344187Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| | - David N. Lieberman
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XBoston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Eric D. Marsh
- grid.25879.310000 0004 1936 8972Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Sarika U. Peters
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Robin C. Ryther
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Steve A. Skinner
- grid.418307.90000 0000 8571 0933Greenwood Genetic Center, 106 Gregor Mendel Circle, Greenwood, SC 29649 USA
| | - Shannon M. Standridge
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Walter E. Kaufmann
- grid.254567.70000 0000 9075 106XUniversity of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC USA ,grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Alan K. Percy
- grid.265892.20000000106344187Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Fang X, Butler KM, Abidi F, Gass J, Beisang A, Feyma T, Ryther RC, Standridge S, Heydemann P, Jones M, Haas R, Lieberman DN, Marsh E, Benke TA, Skinner S, Neul JL, Percy AK, Friez MJ, Caylor RC. Analysis of X-inactivation status in a Rett syndrome natural history study cohort. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2022; 10:e1917. [PMID: 35318820 PMCID: PMC9034674 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder associated with pathogenic MECP2 variants. Because the MECP2 gene is subject to X-chromosome inactivation (XCI), factors including MECP2 genotypic variation, tissue differences in XCI, and skewing of XCI all likely contribute to the clinical severity of individuals with RTT. METHODS We analyzed the XCI patterns from blood samples of 320 individuals and their mothers. It includes individuals with RTT (n = 287) and other syndromes sharing overlapping phenotypes with RTT (such as CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder [CDD, n = 16]). XCI status in each proband/mother duo and the parental origin of the preferentially inactivated X chromosome were analyzed. RESULTS The average XCI ratio in probands was slightly increased compared to their unaffected mothers (73% vs. 69%, p = .0006). Among the duos with informative XCI data, the majority of individuals with classic RTT had their paternal allele preferentially inactivated (n = 180/220, 82%). In sharp contrast, individuals with CDD had their maternal allele preferentially inactivated (n = 10/12, 83%). Our data indicate a weak positive correlation between XCI skewing ratio and clinical severity scale (CSS) scores in classic RTT patients with maternal allele preferentially inactivated XCI (rs = 0.35, n = 40), but not in those with paternal allele preferentially inactivated XCI (rs = -0.06, n = 180). The most frequent MECP2 pathogenic variants were enriched in individuals with highly/moderately skewed XCI patterns, suggesting an association with higher levels of XCI skewing. CONCLUSION These results extend our understanding of the pathogenesis of RTT and other syndromes with overlapping clinical features by providing insight into the both XCI and the preferential XCI of parental alleles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Fang
- Greenwood Genetic CenterGreenwoodSouth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Fatima Abidi
- Greenwood Genetic CenterGreenwoodSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jennifer Gass
- Florida Cancer Specialists & Research InstituteFort MyersFLUSA,Present address:
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research InstituteFort MyersFloridaUSA
| | - Arthur Beisang
- Gillette Children’s Specialty HealthcareSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
| | - Timothy Feyma
- Gillette Children’s Specialty HealthcareSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
| | - Robin C. Ryther
- Department of NeurologyWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Shannon Standridge
- Division of NeurologyCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA,Department of Pediatrics, College of MedicineUniversity of CincinnatiCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | | | - Mary Jones
- Oakland Children’s Hospital, UCSFOaklandCaliforniaUSA
| | - Richard Haas
- University of California San DiegoSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - David N Lieberman
- Department of NeurologyBoston Children’s HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Eric D. Marsh
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Tim A. Benke
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital Colorado‐AuroraDenverColoradoUSA
| | | | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy CenterVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville TN
| | - Alan K. Percy
- The University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Collins BE, Neul JL. Rett Syndrome and MECP2 Duplication Syndrome: Disorders of MeCP2 Dosage. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2022; 18:2813-2835. [PMID: 36471747 PMCID: PMC9719276 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s371483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused predominantly by loss-of-function mutations in the gene Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), which encodes the MeCP2 protein. RTT is a MECP2-related disorder, along with MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS), caused by gain-of-function duplications of MECP2. Nearly two decades of research have advanced our knowledge of MeCP2 function in health and disease. The following review will discuss MeCP2 protein function and its dysregulation in the MECP2-related disorders RTT and MDS. This will include a discussion of the genetic underpinnings of these disorders, specifically how sporadic X-chromosome mutations arise and manifest in specific populations. We will then review current diagnostic guidelines and clinical manifestations of RTT and MDS. Next, we will delve into MeCP2 biology, describing the dual landscapes of methylated DNA and its reader MeCP2 across the neuronal genome as well as the function of MeCP2 as a transcriptional modulator. Following this, we will outline common MECP2 mutations and genotype-phenotype correlations in both diseases, with particular focus on mutations associated with relatively mild disease in RTT. We will also summarize decades of disease modeling and resulting molecular, synaptic, and behavioral phenotypes associated with RTT and MDS. Finally, we list several therapeutics in the development pipeline for RTT and MDS and available evidence of their safety and efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bridget E Collins
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Special Education, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Saby JN, Mulcahey PJ, Zavez AE, Peters SU, Standridge SM, Swanson LC, Lieberman DN, Olson HE, Key AP, Percy AK, Neul JL, Nelson CA, Roberts TPL, Benke TA, Marsh ED. Electrophysiological biomarkers of brain function in CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac197. [PMID: 35974796 PMCID: PMC9374482 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder is a debilitating developmental and epileptic encephalopathy for which no targeted treatment exists. A number of promising therapeutics are under development for CDKL5 deficiency disorder but a lack of validated biomarkers of brain function and clinical severity may limit the ability to objectively assess the efficacy of new treatments as they become available. To address this need, the current study quantified electrophysiological measures in individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder and the association between these parameters and clinical severity. Visual and auditory evoked potentials, as well as resting EEG, were acquired across 5 clinical sites from 26 individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Evoked potential and quantitative EEG features were calculated and compared with typically developing individuals in an age- and sex-matched cohort. Baseline and Year 1 data, when available, were analysed and the repeatability of the results was tested. Two clinician-completed severity scales were used for evaluating the clinical relevance of the electrophysiological parameters. Group-level comparisons revealed reduced visual evoked potential amplitude in CDKL5 deficiency disorder individuals versus typically developing individuals. There were no group differences in the latency of the visual evoked potentials or in the latency or amplitude of the auditory evoked potentials. Within the CDKL5 deficiency disorder group, auditory evoked potential amplitude correlated with disease severity at baseline as well as Year 1. Multiple quantitative EEG features differed between CDKL5 deficiency disorder and typically developing participants, including amplitude standard deviation, 1/f slope and global delta, theta, alpha and beta power. Several quantitative EEG features correlated with clinical severity, including amplitude skewness, theta/delta ratio and alpha/delta ratio. The theta/delta ratio was the overall strongest predictor of severity and also among the most repeatable qEEG measures from baseline to Year 1. Together, the present findings point to the utility of evoked potentials and quantitative EEG parameters as objective measures of brain function and disease severity in future clinical trials for CDKL5 deficiency disorder. The results also underscore the utility of the current methods, which could be similarly applied to the identification and validation of electrophysiological biomarkers of brain function for other developmental encephalopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexis E Zavez
- Orphan Disease Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sarika U Peters
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Shannon M Standridge
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Division of Neurology and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Lindsay C Swanson
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - David N Lieberman
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Heather E Olson
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexandra P Key
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Alan K Percy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Charles A Nelson
- Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02115, USA
- Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02115, USA
| | - Timothy P L Roberts
- Division of Radiology Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Timothy A Benke
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Correspondence to: Eric D. Marsh, MD Division of Child Neurology Abramson Research Building, Room 502E 3615 Civic Center Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Veatch OJ, Malow BA, Lee HS, Knight A, Barrish JO, Neul JL, Lane JB, Skinner SA, Kaufmann WE, Miller JL, Driscoll DJ, Bird LM, Butler MG, Dykens EM, Gold JA, Kimonis V, Bacino CA, Tan WH, Kothare SV, Peters SU, Percy AK, Glaze DG. Evaluating Sleep Disturbances in Children With Rare Genetic Neurodevelopmental Syndromes. Pediatr Neurol 2021; 123:30-37. [PMID: 34388423 PMCID: PMC8429141 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adequate sleep is important for proper neurodevelopment and positive health outcomes. Sleep disturbances are more prevalent in children with genetically determined neurodevelopmental syndromes compared with typically developing counterparts. We characterize sleep behavior in Rett (RTT), Angelman (AS), and Prader-Willi (PWS) syndromes to identify effective approaches for treating sleep problems in these populations. We compared sleep-related symptoms across individuals with these different syndromes with each other, and with typically developing controls. METHODS Children were recruited from the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network consortium registries; unaffected siblings were enrolled as related controls. For each participant, a parent completed multiple sleep questionnaires including Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (Sleep-Disordered Breathing), Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), and Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale. RESULTS Sleep data were analyzed from 714 participants, aged two to 18 years. Young children with AS had more reported sleep problems than children with RTT or PWS. Older children with RTT had more reported daytime sleepiness than those with AS or PWS. Finally, all individuals with RTT had more evidence of sleep-disordered breathing when compared with individuals with PWS. Notably, typically developing siblings were also reported to have sleep problems, except for sleep-related breathing disturbances, which were associated with each of the genetic syndromes. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with RTT, AS, and PWS frequently experience sleep problems, including sleep-disordered breathing. Screening for sleep problems in individuals with these and other neurogenetic disorders should be included in clinical assessment and managements. These data may also be useful in developing treatment strategies and in clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia J Veatch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
| | - Beth A Malow
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Hye-Seung Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Aryn Knight
- Center for Clinical Research, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Judy O Barrish
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Special Education, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jane B Lane
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan International Research Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | | | - Walter E Kaufmann
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer L Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Daniel J Driscoll
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lynne M Bird
- Division of Genetics and Dysmorphology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego/Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California
| | - Merlin G Butler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Elisabeth M Dykens
- Departments of Pediatrics and Special Education, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - June-Anne Gold
- Division of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Virginia Kimonis
- Division of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Carlos A Bacino
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Wen-Hann Tan
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sanjeev V Kothare
- Pediatric Sleep Program, Cohen Children's Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York
| | - Sarika U Peters
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Alan K Percy
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan International Research Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Daniel G Glaze
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Olson HE, Daniels CI, Haviland I, Swanson LC, Greene CA, Denny AMM, Demarest ST, Pestana-Knight E, Zhang X, Moosa AN, Fidell A, Weisenberg JL, Suter B, Fu C, Neul JL, Percy AK, Marsh ED, Benke TA, Poduri A. Current neurologic treatment and emerging therapies in CDKL5 deficiency disorder. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:40. [PMID: 34530725 PMCID: PMC8447578 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09384-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is associated with refractory infantile onset epilepsy, global developmental delay, and variable features that include sleep, behavioral disturbances, and movement disorders. Current treatment is primarily symptom-based and informed by experience in caring for this population. Methods We describe medication and non-medication approaches to treatment of epilepsy and additional key neurologic symptoms (sleep disturbances, behavioral issues, movement disorders, and swallowing dysfunction) in a cohort of 177 individuals meeting criteria for CDD, 154 evaluated at 4 CDKL5 Centers of Excellence in the USA and 40 identified through the NIH Natural History Study of Rett and Related Disorders. Results The four most frequently prescribed anti-seizure medications were broad spectrum, prescribed in over 50% of individuals. While the goal was not to ascertain efficacy, we obtained data from 86 individuals regarding response to treatment, with 2-week response achieved in 14–48% and sustained 3-month response in 5–36%, of those with known response. Additional treatments for seizures included cannabis derivatives, tried in over one-third of individuals, and clinical trial medications. In combination with pharmacological treatment, 50% of individuals were treated with ketogenic diet for attempted seizure control. Surgical approaches included vagus nerve stimulators, functional hemispherectomy, and corpus callosotomy, but numbers were too limited to assess response. Nearly one-third of individuals received pharmacologic treatment for sleep disturbances, 13% for behavioral dysregulation and movement disorders, and 43% had gastrostomy tubes. Conclusions Treatment for neurologic features of CDD is currently symptom-based and empiric rather than CDD-specific, though clinical trials for CDD are emerging. Epilepsy in this population is highly refractory, and no specific anti-seizure medication was associated with improved seizure control. Ketogenic diet is commonly used in patients with CDD. While behavioral interventions are commonly instituted, information on the use of medications for sleep, behavioral management, and movement disorders is sparse and would benefit from further characterization and optimization of treatment approaches. The heterogeneity in treatment approaches highlights the need for systematic review and guidelines for CDD. Additional disease-specific and disease-modifying treatments are in development. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11689-021-09384-z.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather E Olson
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Mailstop 3063, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Carolyn I Daniels
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Mailstop 3063, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Isabel Haviland
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Mailstop 3063, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Lindsay C Swanson
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Mailstop 3063, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Caitlin A Greene
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Mailstop 3063, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Anne Marie M Denny
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Mailstop 3063, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Scott T Demarest
- Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Elia Pestana-Knight
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ahsan N Moosa
- Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Andrea Fidell
- Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Judith L Weisenberg
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bernhard Suter
- Division of Child Neurology, Texas Children's Hospital, Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cary Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alan K Percy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Timothy A Benke
- Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.,Departments of Pharmacology, Neurology, and Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Annapurna Poduri
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Mailstop 3063, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Merritt JK, Collins BE, Erickson KR, Dong H, Neul JL. Pharmacological read-through of R294X Mecp2 in a novel mouse model of Rett syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:2461-2470. [PMID: 32469049 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily caused by mutations in Methyl-CpG-binding Protein 2 (MECP2). More than 35% of affected individuals have nonsense mutations in MECP2. For these individuals, nonsense suppression has been suggested as a possible therapeutic approach. To assess the viability of this strategy, we created and characterized a mouse model with the common p.R294X mutation introduced into the endogenous Mecp2 locus (Mecp2R294X). Mecp2R294X mice exhibit phenotypic abnormalities similar to those seen in complete null mouse models; however, these occur at a later time point consistent with the reduced phenotypic severity seen in affected individuals containing this specific mutation. The delayed onset of severe phenotypes is likely due to the presence of truncated MeCP2 in Mecp2R294X mice. Supplying the MECP2 transgene in Mecp2R294X mice rescued phenotypic abnormalities including early death and demonstrated that the presence of truncated MeCP2 in these mice does not interfere with wild-type MeCP2. In vitro treatment of a cell line derived from Mecp2R294X mice with the nonsense suppression agent G418 resulted in full-length MeCP2 protein production, demonstrating feasibility of this therapeutic approach. Intraperitoneal administration of G418 in Mecp2R294X mice was sufficient to elicit full-length MeCP2 protein expression in peripheral tissues. Finally, intracranial ventricular injection of G418 in Mecp2R294X mice induced expression of full-length MeCP2 protein in the mouse brain. These experiments demonstrate that translational read-through drugs are able to suppress the Mecp2 p.R294X mutation in vivo and provide a proof of concept for future preclinical studies of nonsense suppression agents in RTT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan K Merritt
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
| | - Bridget E Collins
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kirsty R Erickson
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
| | - Hongwei Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.,Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Collins BE, Merritt JK, Erickson KR, Neul JL. Safety and efficacy of genetic MECP2 supplementation in the R294X mouse model of Rett syndrome. Genes Brain Behav 2021; 21:e12739. [PMID: 33942492 PMCID: PMC8563491 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused predominantly by loss-of-function mutations in MECP2, encoding transcriptional modulator methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Although no disease-modifying therapies exist at this time, some proposed therapeutic strategies aim to supplement the mutant allele with a wild-type allele producing typical levels of functional MeCP2, such as gene therapy. Because MECP2 is a dosage-sensitive gene, with both loss and gain of function causing disease, these approaches must achieve a narrow therapeutic window to be both safe and effective. While MeCP2 supplementation rescues RTT-like phenotypes in mouse models, the tolerable threshold of MeCP2 is not clear, particularly for partial loss-of-function mutations. We assessed the safety of genetically supplementing full-length human MeCP2 in the context of the R294X allele, a common partial loss-of-function mutation retaining DNA-binding capacity. We assessed the potential for adverse effects from MeCP2 supplementation of a partial loss-of-function mutant and the potential for dominant negative interactions between mutant and full-length MeCP2. In male hemizygous R294X mice, MeCP2 supplementation rescued RTT-like behavioral phenotypes and did not elicit behavioral evidence of excess MeCP2. In female heterozygous R294X mice, RTT-specific phenotypes were similarly rescued. However, MeCP2 supplementation led to evidence of excess MeCP2 activity in a motor coordination assay, suggesting that the underlying motor circuitry is particularly sensitive to MeCP2 dosage in females. These results show that genetic supplementation of full-length MeCP2 is safe in males and largely so females. However, careful consideration of risk for adverse motor effects may be warranted for girls and women with RTT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan K. Merritt
- Department of PediatricsVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Kirsty R. Erickson
- Department of PediatricsVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Departments of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Special EducationVanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Saby JN, Benke TA, Peters SU, Standridge SM, Matsuzaki J, Cutri-French C, Swanson LC, Lieberman DN, Key AP, Percy AK, Neul JL, Nelson CA, Roberts TP, Marsh ED. Multisite Study of Evoked Potentials in Rett Syndrome. Ann Neurol 2021; 89:790-802. [PMID: 33480039 PMCID: PMC8882338 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the current study was to evaluate the utility of evoked potentials as a biomarker of cortical function in Rett syndrome (RTT). As a number of disease-modifying therapeutics are currently under development, there is a pressing need for biomarkers to objectively and precisely assess the effectiveness of these treatments. METHOD Yearly visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) were acquired from individuals with RTT, aged 2 to 37 years, and control participants across 5 sites as part of the Rett Syndrome and Related Disorders Natural History Study. Baseline and year 1 data, when available, were analyzed and the repeatability of the results was tested. Two syndrome-specific measures from the Natural History Study were used for evaluating the clinical relevance of the VEP and AEP parameters. RESULTS At the baseline study, group level comparisons revealed reduced VEP and AEP amplitude in RTT compared to control participants. Further analyses within the RTT group indicated that this reduction was associated with RTT-related symptoms, with greater severity associated with lower VEP and AEP amplitude. In participants with RTT, VEP and AEP amplitude was also negatively associated with age. Year 1 follow-up data analyses yielded similar findings and evidence of repeatability of EPs at the individual level. INTERPRETATION The present findings indicate the promise of evoked potentials (EPs) as an objective measure of disease severity in individuals with RTT. Our multisite approach demonstrates potential research and clinical applications to provide unbiased assessment of disease staging, prognosis, and response to therapy. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:790-802.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joni N. Saby
- Division of Radiology Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Timothy A. Benke
- Department of Pediatrics, Neurology, Pharmacology and Otolaryngology, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Sarika U. Peters
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Shannon M. Standridge
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Division of Neurology and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Junko Matsuzaki
- Division of Radiology Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Clare Cutri-French
- Division of Child Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lindsay C. Swanson
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David N. Lieberman
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alexandra P. Key
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Alan K. Percy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Charles A. Nelson
- Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
| | - Timothy P.L. Roberts
- Division of Radiology Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric D. Marsh
- Division of Child Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Kolevzon A, Ventola P, Keary CJ, Heimer G, Neul JL, Adera M, Jaeger J. Development of an adapted Clinical Global Impression scale for use in Angelman syndrome. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:3. [PMID: 33397286 PMCID: PMC7784030 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-020-09349-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and CGI-Improvement (CGI-I) scales are widely accepted tools that measure overall disease severity and change, synthesizing the clinician’s impression of the global state of an individual. Frequently employed in clinical trials for neuropsychiatric disorders, the CGI scales are typically used in conjunction with disease-specific rating scales. When no disease-specific rating scale is available, the CGI scales can be adapted to reflect the specific symptom domains that are relevant to the disorder. Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare, clinically heterogeneous condition for which there is no disease-specific rating scale. This paper describes efforts to develop standardized, adapted CGI scales specific to AS for use in clinical trials. Methods In order to develop adapted CGI scales specific to AS, we (1) reviewed literature and interviewed caregivers and clinicians to determine the most impactful symptoms, (2) engaged expert panels to define and operationalize the symptom domains identified, (3) developed detailed rating anchors for each domain and for global severity and improvement ratings, (4) reviewed the anchors with expert clinicians and established minimally clinically meaningful change for each symptom domain, and (5) generated mock patient vignettes to test the reliability of the resulting scales and to standardize rater training. This systematic approach to developing, validating, and training raters on a standardized, adapted CGI scale specifically for AS is described herein. Results The resulting CGI-S/I-AS scales capture six critical domains (behavior, gross and fine motor function, expressive and receptive communication, and sleep) defined by caregivers and expert clinicians as the most challenging for patients with AS and their families. Conclusions Rigorous training and careful calibration for clinicians will allow the CGI-S/-I-AS scales to be reliable in the context of randomized controlled trials. The CGI-S/-I-AS scales are being utilized in a Phase 3 trial of gaboxadol for the treatment of AS. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11689-020-09349-8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kolevzon
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pamela Ventola
- Yale University Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA.,Cogstate, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Christopher J Keary
- Angelman Syndrome Program, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gali Heimer
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Safra Children Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Judith Jaeger
- CognitionMetrics, LLC, Wilmington, DE, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Peters SU, Fu C, Marsh ED, Benke TA, Suter B, Skinner SA, Lieberman DN, Standridge S, Jones M, Beisang A, Feyma T, Heydeman P, Ryther R, Glaze DG, Percy AK, Neul JL. Phenotypic features in MECP2 duplication syndrome: Effects of age. Am J Med Genet A 2020; 185:362-369. [PMID: 33170557 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MECP2 Duplication syndrome (MDS) is a rare X-linked genomic disorder that is caused by interstitial chromosomal duplications at Xq28 encompassing the MECP2 gene. Although phenotypic features in MDS have been described, there is a limited understanding of the range of severity of these features, and how they evolve with age. METHODS The cross-sectional results of N = 69 participants (ages 6 months-33 years) enrolled in a natural history study of MDS are presented. Clinical severity was assessed using a clinician-report measure as well as a parent-report measure. Data was also gathered related to the top 3 concerns of parents as selected from the most salient symptoms related to MDS. The Child Health Questionnaire was also utilized to obtain parental reports of each child's quality of life to establish disease burden. RESULTS The results of linear regression from the clinician-reported measure show that overall clinical severity scores, motor dysfunction, and functional skills are significantly worse with increasing age. Top concerns rated by parents included lack of effective communication, abnormal walking/balance issues, constipation, and seizures. Higher levels of clinical severity were also related to lower physical health quality of life scores as reported by parents. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that increasing levels of clinical severity are noted with older age, and this is primarily attributable to motor dysfunction, and functional skills. The results provide an important foundation for creating an MDS-specific severity scale highlighting the most important domains to target for treatment trials and will help clinicians and researchers define clinically meaningful changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarika U Peters
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Cary Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tim A Benke
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Mary Jones
- Oakland Children's Hospital, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Arthur Beisang
- Gilette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Timothy Feyma
- Gilette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Robin Ryther
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Alan K Percy
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Raspa M, Bann CM, Gwaltney A, Benke TA, Fu C, Glaze DG, Haas R, Heydemann P, Jones M, Kaufmann WE, Lieberman D, Marsh E, Peters S, Ryther R, Standridge S, Skinner SA, Percy AK, Neul JL. A Psychometric Evaluation of the Motor-Behavioral Assessment Scale for Use as an Outcome Measure in Rett Syndrome Clinical Trials. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil 2020; 125:493-509. [PMID: 33211820 PMCID: PMC7778880 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-125.6.493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects females. Recent work indicates the potential for disease modifying therapies. However, there remains a need to develop outcome measures for use in clinical trials. Using data from a natural history study (n = 1,075), we examined the factor structure, internal consistency, and validity of the clinician-reported Motor Behavior Assessment scale (MBA). The analysis resulted in a five-factor model: (1) motor dysfunction, (2) functional skills, (3) social skills, (4) aberrant behavior, and (5) respiratory behaviors. Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses demonstrated that all items had acceptable discrimination. The revised MBA subscales showed a positive relationship with parent reported items, age, and a commonly used measure of clinical severity in RTT, and mutation type. Further work is needed to evaluate this measure longitudinally and to add items related to the RTT phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Raspa
- Melissa Raspa, Carla M. Bann, and Angela Gwaltney, RTI International
| | - Carla M Bann
- Melissa Raspa, Carla M. Bann, and Angela Gwaltney, RTI International
| | - Angela Gwaltney
- Melissa Raspa, Carla M. Bann, and Angela Gwaltney, RTI International
| | | | - Cary Fu
- Cary Fu, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
| | | | - Richard Haas
- Richard Haas, University of California San Diego
| | | | | | | | | | - Eric Marsh
- David Lieberman and Eric Marsh, Children's Hospital Boston
| | | | - Robin Ryther
- Robin Ryther, Washington University School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Alan K Percy
- Alan K. Percy, University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ward CS, Huang TW, Herrera JA, Samaco RC, McGraw CM, Parra DE, Arvide EM, Ito-Ishida A, Meng X, Ure K, Zoghbi HY, Neul JL. Loss of MeCP2 Function Across Several Neuronal Populations Impairs Breathing Response to Acute Hypoxia. Front Neurol 2020; 11:593554. [PMID: 33193060 PMCID: PMC7662121 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.593554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss of function of the transcriptional regulator Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2). In addition to the characteristic loss of hand function and spoken language after the first year of life, people with RTT also have a variety of physiological and autonomic abnormalities including disrupted breathing rhythms characterized by bouts of hyperventilation and an increased frequency of apnea. These breathing abnormalities, that likely involve alterations in both the circuitry underlying respiratory pace making and those underlying breathing response to environmental stimuli, may underlie the sudden unexpected death seen in a significant fraction of people with RTT. In fact, mice lacking MeCP2 function exhibit abnormal breathing rate response to acute hypoxia and maintain a persistently elevated breathing rate rather than showing typical hypoxic ventilatory decline that can be observed among their wild-type littermates. Using genetic and pharmacological tools to better understand the course of this abnormal hypoxic breathing rate response and the neurons driving it, we learned that the abnormal hypoxic breathing response is acquired as the animals mature, and that MeCP2 function is required within excitatory, inhibitory, and modulatory populations for a normal hypoxic breathing rate response. Furthermore, mice lacking MeCP2 exhibit decreased hypoxia-induced neuronal activity within the nucleus tractus solitarius of the dorsal medulla. Overall, these data provide insight into the neurons driving the circuit dysfunction that leads to breathing abnormalities upon loss of MeCP2. The discovery that combined dysfunction across multiple neuronal populations contributes to breathing dysfunction may provide insight into sudden unexpected death in RTT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S. Ward
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Teng-Wei Huang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jose A. Herrera
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rodney C. Samaco
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Christopher M. McGraw
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Diana E. Parra
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - E. Melissa Arvide
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Aya Ito-Ishida
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Xiangling Meng
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kerstin Ure
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Huda Y. Zoghbi
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Dong HW, Erickson K, Lee JR, Merritt J, Fu C, Neul JL. Detection of neurophysiological features in female R255X MeCP2 mutation mice. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 145:105083. [PMID: 32927061 PMCID: PMC7572861 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) that is nearly always caused by loss of function mutations in Methyl-CpG-binding Protein 2 (MECP2) and shares many clinical features with other NDD. Genetic restoration of Mecp2 in symptomatic mice lacking MeCP2 expression can reverse symptoms, providing hope that disease modifying therapies can be identified for RTT. Effective and rapid clinical trial completion relies on well-defined clinical outcome measures and robust biomarkers of treatment responses. Studies on other NDD have found evidence of differences in neurophysiological measures that correlate with disease severity. However, currently there are no well-validated biomarkers in RTT to predict disease prognosis or treatment responses. To address this, we characterized neurophysiological features in a mouse model of RTT containing a knock-in nonsense mutation (p.R255X) in the Mecp2 locus. We found a variety of changes in heterozygous female Mecp2R255X/X mice including age-related changes in sleep/wake architecture, alterations in baseline EEG power, increased incidence of spontaneous epileptiform discharges, and changes in auditory evoked potentials. Furthermore, we identified association of some neurophysiological features with disease severity. These findings provide a set of potential non-invasive and translatable biomarkers that can be utilized in preclinical therapy trials in animal models of RTT and eventually within the context of clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Wei Dong
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
| | - Kirsty Erickson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
| | - Jessica R Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
| | - Jonathan Merritt
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
| | - Cary Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
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
|
31
|
Cutri-French C, Armstrong D, Saby J, Gorman C, Lane J, Fu C, Peters SU, Percy A, Neul JL, Marsh ED. Comparison of Core Features in Four Developmental Encephalopathies in the Rett Natural History Study. Ann Neurol 2020; 88:396-406. [PMID: 32472944 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rett syndrome, CDKL5-deficiency disorder, FOXG1 disorder, and MECP2 duplication disorder are developmental encephalopathies with shared and distinct features. Although they are historically linked, no direct comparison has been performed. The first head-to-head comparison of clinical features in these conditions is presented. METHODS Comprehensive clinical information was collected from 793 individuals enrolled in the Rett and Rett-Related Disorders Natural History Study. Clinical features including clinical severity, regression, and seizures were cross-sectionally compared between diagnoses to test the hypothesis that these are 4 distinct disorders. RESULTS Distinct patterns of clinical severity, seizure onset age, and regression were present. Individuals with CDKL5-deficency disorder were the most severely affected and had the youngest age at seizure onset (2 months), whereas children with MECP2 duplication syndrome had the oldest median age at seizure onset (64 months) and lowest severity scores. Rett syndrome and FOGX1 were intermediate in both features. Smaller head circumference correlates with increased severity in all disorders and earlier age at seizure onset in MECP2 duplication syndrome. Developmental regression occurred in all Rett syndrome participants (median = 18 months) but only 23 to 34% of the other disorders. Seizure incidence prior to the baseline visit was highest for CDKL5 deficiency disorder (96.2%) and lowest for Rett syndrome (47.5%). Other clinical features including seizure types and frequency differed among groups. INTERPRETATION Although these developmental encephalopathies share many clinical features, clear differences in severity, regression, and seizures warrant considering them as unique disorders. These results will aid in the development of disease-specific severity scales, precise therapeutics, and future clinical trials. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:396-406.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clare Cutri-French
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Dallas Armstrong
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joni Saby
- Division of Radiology Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Casey Gorman
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jane Lane
- Department of Pediatrics, Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Cary Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sarika U Peters
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Alan Percy
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Neul JL, Skinner SA, Annese F, Lane J, Heydemann P, Jones M, Kaufmann WE, Glaze DG, Percy AK. Metabolic Signatures Differentiate Rett Syndrome From Unaffected Siblings. Front Integr Neurosci 2020; 14:7. [PMID: 32161522 PMCID: PMC7052375 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2020.00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT, OMIM 312750), a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by regression with loss of spoken language and hand skills, development of characteristic hand stereotypies, and gait dysfunction, is primarily caused by de novo mutations in the X-linked gene Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2). Currently, treatment options are limited to symptomatic management, however, reversal of disease phenotype is possible in mouse models by restoration of normal MECP2 gene expression. A significant challenge is the lack of biomarkers of disease state, disease severity, or treatment response. Using a non-targeted metabolomic approach we evaluated metabolite profiles in plasma from thirty-four people with RTT compared to thirty-seven unaffected age- and gender-matched siblings. We identified sixty-six significantly altered metabolites that cluster broadly into amino acid, nitrogen handling, and exogenous substance pathways. RTT disease metabolite and metabolic pathways abnormalities point to evidence of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and alterations in gut microflora. These observed changes provide insight into underlying pathological mechanisms and the foundation for biomarker discovery of disease severity biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Neul
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States.,Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States.,Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Fran Annese
- Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC, United States
| | - Jane Lane
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | | | - Mary Jones
- Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Alan K Percy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Zhang D, Bedogni F, Boterberg S, Camfield C, Camfield P, Charman T, Curfs L, Einspieler C, Esposito G, De Filippis B, Goin-Kochel RP, Höglinger GU, Holzinger D, Iosif AM, Lancioni GE, Landsberger N, Laviola G, Marco EM, Müller M, Neul JL, Nielsen-Saines K, Nordahl-Hansen A, O'Reilly MF, Ozonoff S, Poustka L, Roeyers H, Rankovic M, Sigafoos J, Tammimies K, Townend GS, Zwaigenbaum L, Zweckstetter M, Bölte S, Marschik PB. Towards a consensus on developmental regression. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:3-5. [PMID: 31442516 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dajie Zhang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Francesco Bedogni
- Neuroscience Division, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sofie Boterberg
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Carol Camfield
- Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Centre, Canada
| | - Peter Camfield
- Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Centre, Canada
| | - Tony Charman
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Leopold Curfs
- Rett Expertise Centre-GKC, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Christa Einspieler
- iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Social & Affiliative Neuroscience Lab, Psychology Program, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Affiliative Behaviour & Physiology Lab, Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Bianca De Filippis
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Robin P Goin-Kochel
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Autism Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Günter U Höglinger
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany; Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany; Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniel Holzinger
- Hospital of St. John of God, Institute for Neurology of Senses and Language, Linz, Austria; Research Institute for Developmental Medicine, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Ana-Maria Iosif
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis CA, USA
| | - Giulio E Lancioni
- Department of Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Laviola
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Eva M Marco
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michael Müller
- Institute of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August-University Goettingen, Germany
| | | | - Karin Nielsen-Saines
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Mark F O'Reilly
- Department of Special Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX, USA
| | - Sally Ozonoff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento CA, USA
| | - Luise Poustka
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Herbert Roeyers
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marija Rankovic
- Department for NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jeff Sigafoos
- School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Kristiina Tammimies
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Division of Neuropsychiatry, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gillian S Townend
- Rett Expertise Centre-GKC, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Markus Zweckstetter
- Department for NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goettingen, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Goettingen, Germany
| | - Sven Bölte
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Division of Neuropsychiatry, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Curtin Autism Research Group, School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter B Marschik
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany; iDN - interdisciplinary Developmental Neuroscience, Division of Phoniatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Leibniz ScienceCampus Primate Cognition, Goettingen, Germany; Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Division of Neuropsychiatry, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Stallworth JL, Dy ME, Buchanan CB, Chen CF, Scott AE, Glaze DG, Lane JB, Lieberman DN, Oberman LM, Skinner SA, Tierney AE, Cutter GR, Percy AK, Neul JL, Kaufmann WE. Hand stereotypies: Lessons from the Rett Syndrome Natural History Study. Neurology 2019; 92:e2594-e2603. [PMID: 31053667 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000007560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize hand stereotypies (HS) in a large cohort of participants with Rett syndrome (RTT). METHODS Data from 1,123 girls and women enrolled in the RTT Natural History Study were gathered. Standard tests for continuous and categorical variables were used at baseline. For longitudinal data, we used repeated-measures linear and logistic regression models and nonparametric tests. RESULTS HS were reported in 922 participants with classic RTT (100%), 73 with atypical severe RTT (97.3%), 74 with atypical mild RTT (96.1%), and 17 females with MECP2 mutations without RTT (34.7%). Individuals with RTT who had classic presentation or severe MECP2 mutations had higher frequency and earlier onset of HS. Heterogeneity of HS types was confirmed, but variety decreased over time. At baseline, almost half of the participants with RTT had hand mouthing, which like clapping/tapping, decreased over time. These 2 HS types were more frequently reported than wringing/washing. Increased HS severity (prevalence and frequency) was associated with worsened measures of hand function. Number and type of HS were not related to hand function. Overall clinical severity was worse with decreased hand function but only weakly related to any HS characteristic. While hand function decreased over time, prevalence and frequency of HS remained relatively unchanged and high. CONCLUSIONS Nearly all individuals with RTT have severe and multiple types of HS, with mouthing and clapping/tapping decreasing over time. Interaction between HS frequency and hand function is complex. Understanding the natural history of HS in RTT could assist in clinical care and evaluation of new interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Stallworth
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Marisela E Dy
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Caroline B Buchanan
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Chin-Fu Chen
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Alexandra E Scott
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Daniel G Glaze
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Jane B Lane
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - David N Lieberman
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Lindsay M Oberman
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Steven A Skinner
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Aubin E Tierney
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Gary R Cutter
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Alan K Percy
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Walter E Kaufmann
- From the Greenwood Genetic Center (J.L.S., C.B.B., C.-F.C., A.E.S., S.A.S., A.E.T., W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, SC; Department of Neurology (M.E.D., D.N.L.), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Civitan International Research Center (J.B.L.), School of Public Health (G.R.C.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (L.M.O.), E.P. Bradley Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology (A.K.P.), Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (J.L.N.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Department of Pediatrics (W.E.K.), University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia; and Department of Human Genetics (W.E.K.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Glaze DG, Neul JL, Kaufmann WE, Berry-Kravis E, Condon S, Stoms G, Oosterholt S, Della Pasqua O, Glass L, Jones NE, Percy AK. Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of trofinetide in pediatric Rett syndrome. Neurology 2019; 92:e1912-e1925. [PMID: 30918097 PMCID: PMC6550498 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000007316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of trofinetide and evaluate its efficacy in female children/adolescents with Rett syndrome (RTT), a debilitating neurodevelopmental condition for which no pharmacotherapies directed at core features are available. METHODS This was a phase 2, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, in which safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and clinical response to trofinetide were characterized in 82 children/adolescents with RTT, aged 5 to 15 years. Sixty-two participants were randomized 1:1:1:1 to receive placebo twice a day (bid) for 14 days, followed by placebo, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg bid of trofinetide for 42 days. Following blinded safety data review, 20 additional participants were randomized 1:1 to the 200 mg/kg or placebo bid groups. Safety assessments included adverse events, clinical laboratory tests, physical examinations, and concomitant medications. Clinician- and caregiver-based efficacy measurements assessed clinically relevant, phenotypic dimensions of impairment of RTT. RESULTS All dose levels were well tolerated and generally safe. Trofinetide at 200 mg/kg bid showed statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements relative to placebo on the Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire, RTT-Clinician Domain Specific Concerns-Visual Analog Scale, and Clinical Global Impression Scale-Improvement. Exploratory analyses suggested that observed changes correlated with trofinetide exposure. CONCLUSION These results, together with those from a previous adolescent/adult trial, indicate trofinetide's potential for treating core RTT symptoms and support further trials. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class I evidence that for children/adolescents with RTT, trofinetide was safe, well-tolerated, and demonstrated improvement over placebo at 200 mg/kg bid in functionally important dimensions of RTT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Glaze
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Neurosciences (J.L.N.), University of California, San Diego; Greenwood Genetic Center (W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, Greenwood, SC; Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry (E.B.K.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;Vital Systems, Inc. (S.C., G.S.), Rolling Meadows, IL; Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group (S.O., O.D.P.), University College London, UK; Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (L.G., N.E.J.), Camberwell, VIC, Australia; Department of Pediatrics (A.K.P.), Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. J.L.N. is currently affiliated with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Neurosciences (J.L.N.), University of California, San Diego; Greenwood Genetic Center (W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, Greenwood, SC; Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry (E.B.K.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;Vital Systems, Inc. (S.C., G.S.), Rolling Meadows, IL; Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group (S.O., O.D.P.), University College London, UK; Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (L.G., N.E.J.), Camberwell, VIC, Australia; Department of Pediatrics (A.K.P.), Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. J.L.N. is currently affiliated with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Walter E Kaufmann
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Neurosciences (J.L.N.), University of California, San Diego; Greenwood Genetic Center (W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, Greenwood, SC; Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry (E.B.K.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;Vital Systems, Inc. (S.C., G.S.), Rolling Meadows, IL; Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group (S.O., O.D.P.), University College London, UK; Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (L.G., N.E.J.), Camberwell, VIC, Australia; Department of Pediatrics (A.K.P.), Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. J.L.N. is currently affiliated with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Elizabeth Berry-Kravis
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Neurosciences (J.L.N.), University of California, San Diego; Greenwood Genetic Center (W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, Greenwood, SC; Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry (E.B.K.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;Vital Systems, Inc. (S.C., G.S.), Rolling Meadows, IL; Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group (S.O., O.D.P.), University College London, UK; Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (L.G., N.E.J.), Camberwell, VIC, Australia; Department of Pediatrics (A.K.P.), Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. J.L.N. is currently affiliated with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Sean Condon
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Neurosciences (J.L.N.), University of California, San Diego; Greenwood Genetic Center (W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, Greenwood, SC; Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry (E.B.K.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;Vital Systems, Inc. (S.C., G.S.), Rolling Meadows, IL; Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group (S.O., O.D.P.), University College London, UK; Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (L.G., N.E.J.), Camberwell, VIC, Australia; Department of Pediatrics (A.K.P.), Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. J.L.N. is currently affiliated with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN
| | - George Stoms
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Neurosciences (J.L.N.), University of California, San Diego; Greenwood Genetic Center (W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, Greenwood, SC; Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry (E.B.K.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;Vital Systems, Inc. (S.C., G.S.), Rolling Meadows, IL; Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group (S.O., O.D.P.), University College London, UK; Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (L.G., N.E.J.), Camberwell, VIC, Australia; Department of Pediatrics (A.K.P.), Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. J.L.N. is currently affiliated with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Sean Oosterholt
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Neurosciences (J.L.N.), University of California, San Diego; Greenwood Genetic Center (W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, Greenwood, SC; Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry (E.B.K.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;Vital Systems, Inc. (S.C., G.S.), Rolling Meadows, IL; Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group (S.O., O.D.P.), University College London, UK; Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (L.G., N.E.J.), Camberwell, VIC, Australia; Department of Pediatrics (A.K.P.), Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. J.L.N. is currently affiliated with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Oscar Della Pasqua
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Neurosciences (J.L.N.), University of California, San Diego; Greenwood Genetic Center (W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, Greenwood, SC; Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry (E.B.K.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;Vital Systems, Inc. (S.C., G.S.), Rolling Meadows, IL; Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group (S.O., O.D.P.), University College London, UK; Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (L.G., N.E.J.), Camberwell, VIC, Australia; Department of Pediatrics (A.K.P.), Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. J.L.N. is currently affiliated with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Larry Glass
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Neurosciences (J.L.N.), University of California, San Diego; Greenwood Genetic Center (W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, Greenwood, SC; Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry (E.B.K.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;Vital Systems, Inc. (S.C., G.S.), Rolling Meadows, IL; Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group (S.O., O.D.P.), University College London, UK; Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (L.G., N.E.J.), Camberwell, VIC, Australia; Department of Pediatrics (A.K.P.), Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. J.L.N. is currently affiliated with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Nancy E Jones
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Neurosciences (J.L.N.), University of California, San Diego; Greenwood Genetic Center (W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, Greenwood, SC; Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry (E.B.K.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;Vital Systems, Inc. (S.C., G.S.), Rolling Meadows, IL; Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group (S.O., O.D.P.), University College London, UK; Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (L.G., N.E.J.), Camberwell, VIC, Australia; Department of Pediatrics (A.K.P.), Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. J.L.N. is currently affiliated with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN.
| | - Alan K Percy
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Neurology (D.G.G.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Neurosciences (J.L.N.), University of California, San Diego; Greenwood Genetic Center (W.E.K.), Center for Translational Research, Greenwood, SC; Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry (E.B.K.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL;Vital Systems, Inc. (S.C., G.S.), Rolling Meadows, IL; Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group (S.O., O.D.P.), University College London, UK; Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (L.G., N.E.J.), Camberwell, VIC, Australia; Department of Pediatrics (A.K.P.), Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. J.L.N. is currently affiliated with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, TN
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Peters SU, Fu C, Suter B, Marsh E, Benke TA, Skinner SA, Lieberman DN, Standridge S, Jones M, Beisang A, Feyma T, Heydeman P, Ryther R, Kaufmann WE, Glaze DG, Neul JL, Percy AK. Characterizing the phenotypic effect of Xq28 duplication size in MECP2 duplication syndrome. Clin Genet 2019; 95:575-581. [PMID: 30788845 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) duplication syndrome (MDS) have varying degrees of severity in their mobility, hand use, developmental skills, and susceptibility to infections. In the present study, we examine the relationship between duplication size, gene content, and overall phenotype in MDS using a clinical severity scale. Other genes typically duplicated within Xq28 (eg, GDI1, RAB39B, FLNA) are associated with distinct clinical features independent of MECP2. We additionally compare the phenotype of this cohort (n = 48) to other reported cohorts with MDS. Utilizing existing indices of clinical severity in Rett syndrome, we found that larger duplication size correlates with higher severity in total clinical severity scores (r = 0.36; P = 0.02), and in total motor behavioral assessment inventory scores (r = 0.31; P = 0.05). Greater severity was associated with having the RAB39B gene duplicated, although most of these participants also had large duplications. Results suggest that developmental delays in the first 6 months of life, hypotonia, vasomotor disturbances, constipation, drooling, and bruxism are common in MDS. This is the first study to show that duplication size is related to clinical severity. Future studies should examine whether large duplications which do not encompass RAB39B also contribute to clinical severity. Results also suggest the need for creating an MDS specific severity scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarika U Peters
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Cary Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Bernhard Suter
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Eric Marsh
- Division of Neurology and Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Timothy A Benke
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - David N Lieberman
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shannon Standridge
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Mary Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, Oakland, California
| | - Arthur Beisang
- Department of Pediatrics, Gilette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Saint Paul, Minnesota
| | - Timothy Feyma
- Department of Pediatrics, Gilette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Saint Paul, Minnesota
| | - Peter Heydeman
- Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Robin Ryther
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | | | - Daniel G Glaze
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Alan K Percy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Neul JL, Benke TA, Marsh ED, Skinner SA, Merritt J, Lieberman DN, Standridge S, Feyma T, Heydemann P, Peters S, Ryther R, Jones M, Suter B, Kaufmann WE, Glaze DG, Percy AK. The array of clinical phenotypes of males with mutations in Methyl-CpG binding protein 2. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2019; 180:55-67. [PMID: 30536762 PMCID: PMC6488031 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the X-linked gene MECP2 are associated with a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, Rett syndrome (RTT), primarily in girls. It had been suspected that mutations in Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) led to embryonic lethality in males, however such males have been reported. To enhance understanding of the phenotypic spectrum present in these individuals, we identified 30 males with MECP2 mutations in the RTT Natural History Study databases. A wide phenotypic spectrum was observed, ranging from severe neonatal encephalopathy to cognitive impairment. Two males with a somatic mutation in MECP2 had classic RTT. Of the remaining 28 subjects, 16 had RTT-causing MECP2 mutations, 9 with mutations that are not seen in females with RTT but are likely pathogenic, and 3 with uncertain variants. Two subjects with RTT-causing mutations were previously diagnosed as having atypical RTT; however, careful review of the clinical history determined that an additional 12/28 subjects met criteria for atypical RTT, but with more severe clinical presentation and course, and less distinctive RTT features, than females with RTT, leading to the designation of a new diagnostic entity, male RTT encephalopathy. Increased awareness of the clinical spectrum and widespread comprehensive genomic testing in boys with neurodevelopmental problems will lead to improved identification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L. Neul
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center,University of California, San Diego,Co-corresponding authors: Jeffrey Neul, PMB 40, 230 Appleton Place, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203-5721, Telephone: 615-322-8242, Facsimile: , Alan Percy, 1720 2 Avenue South, CIRC 320E, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0021, Telephone: 205-996-4927, Facsimile: 205-975-6330,
| | | | - Eric D. Marsh
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania
| | | | - Jonathan Merritt
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center,University of California, San Diego
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mary Jones
- University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
| | | | | | - Daniel G. Glaze
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center,University of California, San Diego
| | - Alan K. Percy
- University of Alabama at Birmingham,Co-corresponding authors: Jeffrey Neul, PMB 40, 230 Appleton Place, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203-5721, Telephone: 615-322-8242, Facsimile: , Alan Percy, 1720 2 Avenue South, CIRC 320E, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0021, Telephone: 205-996-4927, Facsimile: 205-975-6330,
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Tarquinio DC, Hou W, Neul JL, Berkmen GK, Drummond J, Aronoff E, Harris J, Lane JB, Kaufmann WE, Motil KJ, Glaze DG, Skinner SA, Percy AK. The course of awake breathing disturbances across the lifespan in Rett syndrome. Brain Dev 2018; 40:515-529. [PMID: 29657083 PMCID: PMC6026556 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2018.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT), an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in MECP2, is associated with a peculiar breathing disturbance exclusively during wakefulness that is distressing, and can even prompt emergency resuscitation. Through the RTT Natural History Study, we characterized cross sectional and longitudinal characteristics of awake breathing abnormalities in RTT and identified associated clinical features. Participants were recruited from 2006 to 2015, and cumulative lifetime prevalence of breathing dysfunction was determined using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Risk factors were assessed using logistic regression. Of 1205 participants, 1185 had sufficient data for analysis, including 922 females with classic RTT, 778 of whom were followed longitudinally for up to 9.0 years, for a total of 3944 person-years. Participants with classic or atypical severe RTT were more likely to have breathing dysfunction (nearly 100% over the lifespan) compared to those with atypical mild RTT (60-70%). Remission was common, lasting 1 year on average, with 15% ending the study in terminal remission. Factors associated with higher odds of severe breathing dysfunction included poor gross and fine motor function, frequency of stereotypical hand movements, seizure frequency, prolonged corrected QT interval on EKG, and two quality of life metrics: caregiver concern about physical health and contracting illness. Factors associated with lower prevalence of severe breathing dysfunction included higher body mass index and head circumference Z-scores, advanced age, and severe scoliosis or contractures. Awake breathing dysfunction is common in RTT, more so than seizures, and is associated with function, quality of life and risk for cardiac dysrhythmia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C. Tarquinio
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA,Center for Rare Neurological Diseases, Norcross, GA
| | - Wei Hou
- Statistical analysis, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY
| | | | - Gamze Kilic Berkmen
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA,Center for Rare Neurological Diseases, Norcross, GA
| | - Jana Drummond
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA,Center for Rare Neurological Diseases, Norcross, GA
| | - Elizabeth Aronoff
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA,Center for Rare Neurological Diseases, Norcross, GA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Abstract
Two individuals meeting diagnostic criteria for Rett syndrome (RTT) but lacking a mutation in MECP2, the gene predominantly associated with this disorder, were provided additional genetic testing. This testing revealed pathogenic mutations in a gene not previously associated with RTT, CTNNB1, mutations in which lead to an autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder affecting cell signaling and transcription factors as well as a likely pathogenic mutation in the WDR45 gene, which is associated with developmental delay in early childhood and progressive neurodegeneration in adolescence or adulthood related to iron accumulation in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra. These two individuals are described in relation to previous reports linking multiple other genes with RTT failing to show an MECP2 mutation. These individuals underscore the need to pursue additional molecular testing in RTT when a mutation in MECP2 is not detected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan K Percy
- Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jane Lane
- Civitan International Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Fran Annese
- Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Thurm A, Powell EM, Neul JL, Wagner A, Zwaigenbaum L. Loss of skills and onset patterns in neurodevelopmental disorders: Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms. Autism Res 2018; 11:212-222. [PMID: 29226600 PMCID: PMC5825269 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Patterns of onset in Autism Spectrum Disorder, including a pattern that includes loss of previously acquired skills, have been identified since the first reports of the disorder. However, attempts to study such "regression" have been limited to clinical studies, that until recently mostly involved retrospective reports. The current report reflects discussion that occurred at an NIMH convened meeting in 2016 with the purpose of bridging clinical autism research with basic and translational work in this area. This summary describes the state of the field with respect to clinical studies, describing gaps in knowledge based on limited methods and prospective data collected. Biological mechanisms that have been shown to account for regression early in development in specific conditions are discussed, as well as potential mechanisms that have not yet been explored. Suggestions include use of model systems during the developmental period and cutting-edge methods, including non-invasive imaging that may afford opportunities for a better understanding of the neurobiological pathways that result in loss of previously-attained skills. Autism Res 2018, 11: 212-222. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY Loss of previously acquired skills, or regression, has been reported in Autism Spectrum Disorder since Kanner's reports in the 1950's. The current report reflects discussion from an NIMH convened meeting in 2016 with the purpose of bridging clinical autism research with basic and translational work in this area. This summary describes the state of the field regarding clinical studies and suggests use of model systems during the developmental period and cutting-edge methods, for a better understanding of the neurobiological pathways that result in loss of previously-attained skills.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Thurm
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Powell
- Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ann Wagner
- Division of Translational Research, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Autism Research Center, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Glaze DG, Neul JL, Percy A, Feyma T, Beisang A, Yaroshinsky A, Stoms G, Zuchero D, Horrigan J, Glass L, Jones NE. A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study of Trofinetide in the Treatment of Rett Syndrome. Pediatr Neurol 2017; 76:37-46. [PMID: 28964591 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine the safety and tolerability of trofinetide and to evaluate efficacy measures in adolescent and adult females with Rett syndrome, a serious and debilitating neurodevelopmental condition for which no therapies are available for its core features. METHODS This was an exploratory, phase 2, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study of the safety and tolerability of trofinetide in 56 adolescent and adult females with Rett syndrome. Subjects were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to 35 mg/kg twice daily of trofinetide or placebo for 14 days; 35 mg/kg twice daily or placebo for 28 days; or 70 mg/kg twice daily or placebo for 28 days. Safety assessments included adverse events, clinical laboratory tests, vital signs, electrocardiograms, physical examinations, and concomitant medications. Efficacy measurements were categorized into four efficacy domains, which related to clinically relevant, phenotypic dimensions of impairment associated with Rett syndrome. RESULTS Both 35 mg/kg and 70 mg/kg dose levels of trofinetide were well tolerated and generally safe. Trofinetide at 70 mg/kg demonstrated efficacy compared with placebo based on prespecified criteria. CONCLUSION Trofinetide was well tolerated in adolescent and adult females with Rett syndrome. Although this study had a relatively short duration in a small number of subjects with an advanced stage of disease, consistent efficacy trends at the higher dose were observed in several outcome measures that assess important dimensions of Rett syndrome. These results represented clinically meaningful improvement from the perspective of the clinicians as well as the caregivers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alan Percy
- University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Tim Feyma
- Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Saint Paul, Minnesota
| | - Arthur Beisang
- Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Saint Paul, Minnesota
| | | | | | - David Zuchero
- Chesapeake Regulatory Group, Inc., Highland, Maryland
| | - Joseph Horrigan
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Larry Glass
- Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., Camberwell, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nancy E Jones
- Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., Camberwell, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Sun JJ, Huang TW, Neul JL, Ray RS. Embryonic hindbrain patterning genes delineate distinct cardio-respiratory and metabolic homeostatic populations in the adult. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9117. [PMID: 28831138 PMCID: PMC5567350 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08810-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies based on mouse genetic mutations suggest that proper partitioning of the hindbrain into transient, genetically-defined segments called rhombomeres is required for normal respiratory development and function in neonates. Less clear is what role these genes and the neurons they define play in adult respiratory circuit organization. Several Cre drivers are used to access and study developmental rhombomeric domains (Eng1Cre, HoxA2-Cre, Egr2Cre, HoxB1Cre, and HoxA4-Cre) in the adult. However, these drivers show cumulative activity beyond the brainstem while being used in intersectional genetic experiments to map central respiratory circuitry. We crossed these drivers to conditional DREADD mouse lines to further characterize the functional contributions of Cre defined populations. In the adult, we show that acute DREADD inhibition of targeted populations results in a variety of not only respiratory phenotypes but also metabolic and temperature changes that likely play a significant role in the observed respiratory alterations. DREADD mediated excitation of targeted domains all resulted in death, with unique differences in the patterns of cardio-respiratory failure. These data add to a growing body of work aimed at understanding the role of early embryonic patterning genes in organizing adult respiratory homeostatic networks that may be perturbed in congenital pathophysiologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny J Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Teng-Wei Huang
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Russell S Ray
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. .,Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. .,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. .,Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. .,McNair Medical Institute, TX-77030, Houston, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Killian JT, Lane JB, Lee HS, Skinner SA, Kaufmann WE, Glaze DG, Neul JL, Percy AK. Scoliosis in Rett Syndrome: Progression, Comorbidities, and Predictors. Pediatr Neurol 2017; 70:20-25. [PMID: 28347601 PMCID: PMC5461984 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2017.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scoliosis is prominent in Rett syndrome (RTT). Following the prior report from the US Natural History Study, the onset and progression of severe scoliosis (≥40° Cobb angle) and surgery were examined regarding functional capabilities and specific genotypes, addressing the hypothesis that abnormal muscle tone, poor oral feeding, puberty, and delays or absence of sitting balance and ambulation may be responsible for greater risk in RTT. METHODS The multicenter RTT Natural History Study gathered longitudinal data for classic RTT, including mutation type, scoliosis, muscle tone, sitting, ambulation, hand function, and feeding. Cox regression models were used to examine the association between scoliosis and functional characteristics. All analyses utilized SAS 9.4; two-sided P values of <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS A total of 913 females with classic RTT were included. Scoliosis frequency and severity increased with age. Severe scoliosis was found in 251 participants (27%), 113 of whom developed severe scoliosis during the follow-up assessments; 168 (18%) had surgical correction. Severe MECP2 mutations (R106W, R168X, R255X, R270X, and large deletions) showed a higher proportion of scoliosis. Individuals developing severe scoliosis or requiring surgery were less likely to sit, ambulate, or use their hands and were more likely to have begun puberty. Significant differences were absent for epilepsy rates, sleep problems, or constipation. DISCUSSION Scoliosis requires vigilance regarding the risk factors noted, particularly specific mutations and the role of puberty and motor abilities. Bracing is recommended for moderate curves and surgery for severe curves in accordance with published guidelines for scoliosis management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jane B. Lane
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Medicine,University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan International Research Center
| | - Hye-Seung Lee
- Health Informatics Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | | | | | | | | | - Alan K. Percy
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Medicine,University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan International Research Center
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Tarquinio DC, Hou W, Berg A, Kaufmann WE, Lane JB, Skinner SA, Motil KJ, Neul JL, Percy AK, Glaze DG. Longitudinal course of epilepsy in Rett syndrome and related disorders. Brain 2016; 140:306-318. [PMID: 28007990 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is common in Rett syndrome, an X-linked dominant disorder caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene, and in Rett-related disorders, such as MECP2 duplication. However, neither the longitudinal course of epilepsy nor the patterns of seizure onset and remission have been described in Rett syndrome and related conditions. The present study summarizes the findings of the Rett syndrome Natural History study. Participants with clinical Rett syndrome and those with MECP2 mutations without the clinical syndrome were recruited through the Rett Natural History study from 2006 to 2015. Clinical details were collected, and cumulative lifetime prevalence of epilepsy was determined using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Risk factors for epilepsy were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. Of 1205 participants enrolled in the study, 922 had classic Rett syndrome, and 778 of these were followed longitudinally for 3939 person-years. The diagnosis of atypical Rett syndrome with a severe clinical phenotype was associated with higher prevalence of epilepsy than those with classic Rett syndrome. While point prevalence of active seizures ranged from 30% to 44%, the estimated cumulative lifetime prevalence of epilepsy using Kaplan-Meier approached 90%. Specific MECP2 mutations were not significantly associated with either seizure prevalence or seizure severity. In contrast, many clinical features were associated with seizure prevalence; frequency of hospitalizations, inability to walk, bradykinesia, scoliosis, gastrostomy feeding, age of seizure onset, and late age of diagnosis were independently associated with higher odds of an individual having epilepsy. Aggressive behaviour was associated with lower odds. Three distinct patterns of seizure prevalence emerged in classic Rett syndrome, including those who did not have seizures throughout the study, those who had frequent relapse and remission, and those who had relentless seizures. Although 248 of those with classic Rett syndrome and a history of seizures were in terminal remission at last contact, only 74 (12% of those with a history of epilepsy) were seizure free and off anti-seizure medication. When studied longitudinally, point prevalence of active seizures is relatively low in Rett syndrome, although lifetime risk of epilepsy is higher than previously reported. While daily seizures are uncommon in Rett syndrome, prolonged remission is less common than in other causes of childhood onset epilepsy. Complete remission off anti-seizure medications is possible, but future efforts should be directed at determining what factors predict when withdrawal of medications in those who are seizure free is propitious.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wei Hou
- Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Anne Berg
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Jane B Lane
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Alan K Percy
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Herrera JA, Ward CS, Wehrens XH, Neul JL. Methyl-CpG binding-protein 2 function in cholinergic neurons mediates cardiac arrhythmogenesis. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:4983-4995. [PMID: 28159985 PMCID: PMC6078594 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sudden unexpected death occurs in one quarter of deaths in Rett Syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2). People with RTT show a variety of autonomic nervous system (ANS) abnormalities and mouse models show similar problems including QTc interval prolongation and hypothermia. To explore the role of cardiac problems in sudden death in RTT, we characterized cardiac rhythm in mice lacking Mecp2 function. Male and female mutant mice exhibited spontaneous cardiac rhythm abnormalities including bradycardic events, sinus pauses, atrioventricular block, premature ventricular contractions, non-sustained ventricular arrhythmias, and increased heart rate variability. Death was associated with spontaneous cardiac arrhythmias and complete conduction block. Atropine treatment reduced cardiac arrhythmias in mutant mice, implicating overactive parasympathetic tone. To explore the role of MeCP2 within the parasympathetic neurons, we selectively removed MeCP2 function from cholinergic neurons (MeCP2 ChAT KO), which recapitulated the cardiac rhythm abnormalities, hypothermia, and early death seen in RTT male mice. Conversely, restoring MeCP2 only in cholinergic neurons rescued these phenotypes. Thus, MeCP2 in cholinergic neurons is necessary and sufficient for autonomic cardiac control, thermoregulation, and survival, and targeting the overactive parasympathetic system may be a useful therapeutic strategy to prevent sudden unexpected death in RTT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José A. Herrera
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher S. Ward
- Jan and Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xander H.T. Wehrens
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Institute
- Departments of Medicine
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
- Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
- Neuroscience
- Human and Molecular Genetics
- Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Ward CS, Huang TW, Herrera JA, Samaco RC, Pitcher MR, Herron A, Skinner SA, Kaufmann WE, Glaze DG, Percy AK, Neul JL. Loss of MeCP2 Causes Urological Dysfunction and Contributes to Death by Kidney Failure in Mouse Models of Rett Syndrome. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165550. [PMID: 27828991 PMCID: PMC5102405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by loss of acquired skills during development, autonomic dysfunction, and an increased risk for premature lethality. Clinical experience identified a subset of individuals with RTT that present with urological dysfunction including individuals with frequent urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and urine retention requiring frequent catheterization for bladder voiding. To determine if urologic dysfunction is a feature of RTT, we queried the Rett Syndrome Natural History Study, a repository of clinical data from over 1000 individuals with RTT and found multiple instances of urological dysfunction. We then evaluated urological function in a mouse model of RTT and found an abnormal pattern of micturition. Both male and female mice possessing Mecp2 mutations show a decrease in urine output per micturition event. Furthermore, we identified signs of kidney failure secondary to urethral obstruction. Although genetic strain background significantly affects both survival and penetrance of the urethral obstruction phenotype, survival and penetrance of urethral obstruction do not directly correlate. We have identified an additional phenotype caused by loss of MeCP2, urological dysfunction. Furthermore, we urge caution in the interpretation of survival data as an endpoint in preclinical studies, especially where causes of mortality are poorly characterized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S. Ward
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Teng-Wei Huang
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - José A. Herrera
- Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Rodney C. Samaco
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Meagan R. Pitcher
- Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Alan Herron
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Steven A. Skinner
- Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC 29646, United States of America
| | - Walter E. Kaufmann
- Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC 29646, United States of America
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Daniel G. Glaze
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
| | - Alan K. Percy
- University of Alabama, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Veeraragavan S, Wan YW, Connolly DR, Hamilton SM, Ward CS, Soriano S, Pitcher MR, McGraw CM, Huang SG, Green JR, Yuva LA, Liang AJ, Neul JL, Yasui DH, LaSalle JM, Liu Z, Paylor R, Samaco RC. Loss of MeCP2 in the rat models regression, impaired sociability and transcriptional deficits of Rett syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:3284-3302. [PMID: 27365498 PMCID: PMC5179927 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Mouse models of the transcriptional modulator Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2) have advanced our understanding of Rett syndrome (RTT). RTT is a 'prototypical' neurodevelopmental disorder with many clinical features overlapping with other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Therapeutic interventions for RTT may therefore have broader applications. However, the reliance on the laboratory mouse to identify viable therapies for the human condition may present challenges in translating findings from the bench to the clinic. In addition, the need to identify outcome measures in well-chosen animal models is critical for preclinical trials. Here, we report that a novel Mecp2 rat model displays high face validity for modelling psychomotor regression of a learned skill, a deficit that has not been shown in Mecp2 mice. Juvenile play, a behavioural feature that is uniquely present in rats and not mice, is also impaired in female Mecp2 rats. Finally, we demonstrate that evaluating the molecular consequences of the loss of MeCP2 in both mouse and rat may result in higher predictive validity with respect to transcriptional changes in the human RTT brain. These data underscore the similarities and differences caused by the loss of MeCP2 among divergent rodent species which may have important implications for the treatment of individuals with disease-causing MECP2 mutations. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the Mecp2 rat model is a complementary tool with unique features for the study of RTT and highlight the potential benefit of cross-species analyses in identifying potential disease-relevant preclinical outcome measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Surabi Veeraragavan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ying-Wooi Wan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Daniel R Connolly
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Christopher S Ward
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neurology
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sirena Soriano
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Meagan R Pitcher
- Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher M McGraw
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sharon G Huang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Lisa A Yuva
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Agnes J Liang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neurology
- Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dag H Yasui
- Rowe Program in Human Genetics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Janine M LaSalle
- Rowe Program in Human Genetics, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neurology
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Rodney C Samaco
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
- Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Meng X, Wang W, Lu H, He LJ, Chen W, Chao ES, Fiorotto ML, Tang B, Herrera JA, Seymour ML, Neul JL, Pereira FA, Tang J, Xue M, Zoghbi HY. Manipulations of MeCP2 in glutamatergic neurons highlight their contributions to Rett and other neurological disorders. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27328325 PMCID: PMC4946906 DOI: 10.7554/elife.14199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Many postnatal onset neurological disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and intellectual disability are thought to arise largely from disruption of excitatory/inhibitory homeostasis. Although mouse models of Rett syndrome (RTT), a postnatal neurological disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in MECP2, display impaired excitatory neurotransmission, the RTT phenotype can be largely reproduced in mice simply by removing MeCP2 from inhibitory GABAergic neurons. To determine what role excitatory signaling impairment might play in RTT pathogenesis, we generated conditional mouse models with Mecp2 either removed from or expressed solely in glutamatergic neurons. MeCP2 deficiency in glutamatergic neurons leads to early lethality, obesity, tremor, altered anxiety-like behaviors, and impaired acoustic startle response, which is distinct from the phenotype of mice lacking MeCP2 only in inhibitory neurons. These findings reveal a role for excitatory signaling impairment in specific neurobehavioral abnormalities shared by RTT and other postnatal neurological disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangling Meng
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Wei Wang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Hui Lu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Ling-Jie He
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Wu Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Eugene S Chao
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Marta L Fiorotto
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Bin Tang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Jose A Herrera
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Michelle L Seymour
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Fred A Pereira
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Bobby R Alford Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Jianrong Tang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Mingshan Xue
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Sajan SA, Jhangiani SN, Muzny DM, Gibbs RA, Lupski JR, Glaze DG, Kaufmann WE, Skinner SA, Annese F, Friez MJ, Lane J, Percy AK, Neul JL. Enrichment of mutations in chromatin regulators in people with Rett syndrome lacking mutations in MECP2. Genet Med 2016; 19:13-19. [PMID: 27171548 PMCID: PMC5107176 DOI: 10.1038/gim.2016.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused primarily by de novo mutations (DNMs) in MECP2 and sometimes in CDKL5 and FOXG1. However, some RTT cases lack mutations in these genes. Methods Twenty-two RTT cases without apparent MECP2, CDKL5, and FOXG1 mutations were subjected to both whole exome sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism array-based copy number variant (CNV) analyses. Results Three cases had MECP2 mutations initially missed by clinical testing. Of the remaining 19 cases, 17 (89.5%) had 29 other likely pathogenic intragenic mutations and/or CNVs (10 cases had two or more). Interestingly, 13 cases had mutations in a gene/region previously reported in other NDDs, thereby providing a potential diagnostic yield of 68.4%. These mutations were significantly enriched in chromatin regulators (corrected p = 0.0068) and moderately in postsynaptic cell membrane molecules (corrected p = 0.076) implicating glutamate receptor signaling. Conclusion The genetic etiology of RTT without MECP2, CDKL5, and FOXG1 mutations is heterogeneous, overlaps with other NDDs, and complex due to high mutation burden. Dysregulation of chromatin structure and abnormal excitatory synaptic signaling may form two common pathological bases of RTT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samin A Sajan
- Section of Child Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.,Current address: Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Shalini N Jhangiani
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Donna M Muzny
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Richard A Gibbs
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - James R Lupski
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel G Glaze
- Section of Child Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Walter E Kaufmann
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Fran Annese
- Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Jane Lane
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Alan K Percy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Neul
- Section of Child Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Current address: Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Tarquinio DC, Hou W, Neul JL, Kaufmann WE, Glaze DG, Motil KJ, Skinner SA, Lee HS, Percy AK. The Changing Face of Survival in Rett Syndrome and MECP2-Related Disorders. Pediatr Neurol 2015; 53:402-11. [PMID: 26278631 PMCID: PMC4609589 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2015.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Survival in Rett syndrome remains unclear. Although early estimates were grim, more recent data suggest that survival into adulthood is typical. We aimed to define survival in Rett syndrome more clearly and identify risk factors for early death. METHODS Participants with clinical Rett Syndrome or methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 mutations without clinical RTT were recruited through the Rett Syndrome Natural History study from 2006 to 2015. Clinical details were collected, and survival was determined using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Risk factors were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS Among 1189 valid participants, 51 died (range 3.9-66.6 years) during the 9-year follow-up period. Those who died included 36 (3.9%) classic Rett syndrome females, 5 (5.9%) atypical severe Rett syndrome females, 1 (2.4%) non-Rett syndrome female, the single atypical severe male, 6 (30%) non-Rett syndrome males, and 2 (7.1%) methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 duplication syndrome males. All atypical mild Rett syndrome females, methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 duplication syndrome females, and the single classic Rett syndrome male remain alive. Most deaths were due to cardiorespiratory issues. Only one died from severe malnutrition, scoliosis, and extreme frailty. Survival for classic and atypical Rett syndrome was greater than 70% at 45 years. Overall severity and several modifiable risk factors, including ambulation, weight, and seizures, were associated with mortality in classic Rett syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Survival into the fifth decade is typical in Rett syndrome, and death due to extreme frailty has become rare. Although the leading cause of death remains cardiorespiratory compromise, many risk factors for early death are modifiable. Intense therapeutic interventions could further improve the prognosis for individuals with Rett syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wei Hou
- Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY
| | - Jeffrey L. Neul
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | | | - Daniel G. Glaze
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | | | | | - Hye-Seung Lee
- Pediatrics Epidemiology Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | | |
Collapse
|