Study of the Interaction between Executive Function and Adaptive Behavior at School in Girls with Fragile X Syndrome.

The aim of this research is to analyze the relationship between executive functions and adaptive behavior in girls with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) in the school setting. This study is part of a larger investigation conducted at the Hospital Parc Tauli in Sabadell. The sample consists of a total of 40 girls (26 with FXS and 14 control) aged 7-16 years, who were administered different neuropsychological tests (WISC-V, NEPSY-II, WCST, TOL) and questionnaires answered by teachers (ABAS-II, BRIEF 2, ADHD Rating Scale). The results show that there is a greater interaction between some areas of executive function (cognitive flexibility, auditory attention, and visual abstraction capacity) and certain areas of adaptive behavior (conceptual, practical, social, and total domains) in the FXS group than in the control group. These results suggest that an alteration in the executive functions was affecting the daily functioning of the girls with FXS to a greater extent.

Pilot study of socio-emotional factors and adaptive behavior in young females with fragile X syndrome.

Girls with Fragile-X-Syndrome (FXS) present high levels of social anxiety, social avoidance, extreme shyness, tendency to social isolation, poor eye contact, learning difficulties, and depression. The aims of the present study, which is based on a group of young females with FXS are: 1) to analyze the possible associations between emotion recognition, theory of mind, and social anxiety, and adaptive behavior, and emotional state; 2) to study the relationship between intelligence quotient (IQ) and adaptive behavior; and 3) to assess whether social anxiety is more prevalent in girls with FXS. The study has 40 female participants aged between 7 and 16 years (26 positive full mutation FXS and 14 as a control group). A neuropsychological assessment was conducted using the following tests: WISC-V, NEPSY-II, SENA, ADHD Rating Scale, BAS, and ABAS-II. In comparison with the control group, the group with FXS presented a greater association between IQ and self-direction ability, and between emotion recognition and leadership. The FXS group presented higher levels of social anxiety and shyness. In the group of girls with FXS, IQ may have prognostic value for both self-direction ability and social adaptation level.

Fragile X syndrome in young females: Influence of executive function on the neurocognitive profile and adaptive behavior.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to describe the relationship between executive function (EF) and performance in different areas of the neurocognitive profile in young girls with Fragile-X-Syndrome (FXS). METHOD: A neuropsychological assessment was carried out to 40 female participants aged 7-16 years (26 FXS, 14 control group). RESULTS: Regarding intellectual ability, in the group of girls with FXS 3.84 % of the participants obtained IQ scores in the range of moderate ID (IQ 35-40 to 49), 46.15 % in the range of mild ID (IQ 50-70), 38.46 % in the borderline range (IQ 70-85), and 11.53 % within the average range (IQ > 85). EF was found to have a greater influence on adaptive behavior, arithmetic ability, theory of mind, leadership, social integration, social competence, and anxiety/shyness in the group with FXS. CONCLUSIONS: In girls with FXS, EF showed a greater influence on adaptive behavior, arithmetic ability, and social domain.

Language in young females with fragile X syndrome: Influence on the neurocognitive profile and adaptive behavior.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading cause of inherited intellectual disability. The objective of this research is to analyze the relationship between linguistic functions and performance of the following neuropsychological functions: executive, quantitative reasoning, social perception, behavior, social skills, and adaptive behavior. A neuropsychological and behavioral evaluations were carried out with a group of 26 girls with FXS, and 14 girls without FXS as a control group, using standardized tests. The two groups were homogeneous in age and IQ. Significant differences were found between groups in the relationship between some language processes: inhibition, auditory working memory, cognitive flexibility, level of social adaptation, self-direction, conceptual adaptation, academic skills, leadership ability, theory of mind, and arithmetic. In the group of girls with FXS, it was found that different aspects of language influence some of the executive functions evaluated, in addition to some specific aspects of social perception, adaptive behavior, and quantitative reasoning, in different ways. Future research should incorporate the study of the influence of other cognitive variables such as visual perception and executive function on behavioral, social, and adaptive aspects to know the real influence of all the cognitive variables on the behavior of girls with FXS.

Bullying Victimization in Young Females with Fragile-X-Syndrome.

The aim of this study is to investigate the risk associated with girls with fragile X syndrome (FXS) suffering bullying in the role of a victim and its effects on their adaptive behavior, socialization style, and emotional state. A neuropsychological assessment was carried out on a sample of 40 participants (26 FXS positive and 14 control group) using the following instruments: WISC-V, SENA, BAS-2, ABAS-II. The results show that the group of girls with FXS presented higher ratios of lack of social support and isolation from classmates. This finding suggests that problems with social interaction and communication in the group of girls with FXS could lead to difficulties in interpreting social signals and identifying situations of bullying correctly, placing them in a very vulnerable situation.

Analysis of the Phenotypes in the Rett Networked Database.

Rett spectrum disorder is a progressive neurological disease and the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability in females. MECP2 is the major causative gene. In addition, CDKL5 and FOXG1 mutations have been reported in Rett patients, especially with the atypical presentation. Each gene and different mutations within each gene contribute to variability in clinical presentation, and several groups worldwide performed genotype-phenotype correlation studies using cohorts of patients with classic and atypical forms of Rett spectrum disorder. The Rett Networked Database is a unified registry of clinical and molecular data of Rett patients, and it is currently one of the largest Rett registries worldwide with several hundred records provided by Rett expert clinicians from 13 countries. Collected data revealed that the majority of MECP2-mutated patients present with the classic form, the majority of CDKL5-mutated patients with the early-onset seizure variant, and the majority of FOXG1-mutated patients with the congenital form. A computation of severity scores further revealed significant differences between groups of patients and correlation with mutation types. The highly detailed phenotypic information contained in the Rett Networked Database allows the grouping of patients presenting specific clinical and genetic characteristics for studies by the Rett community and beyond. These data will also serve for the development of clinical trials involving homogeneous groups of patients.

Rett networked database: an integrated clinical and genetic network of Rett syndrome databases.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with one principal phenotype and several distinct, atypical variants (Zappella, early seizure onset and congenital variants). Mutations in MECP2 are found in most cases of classic RTT but at least two additional genes, CDKL5 and FOXG1, can underlie some (usually variant) cases. There is only limited correlation between genotype and phenotype. The Rett Networked Database (http://www.rettdatabasenetwork.org/) has been established to share clinical and genetic information. Through an "adaptor" process of data harmonization, a set of 293 clinical items and 16 genetic items was generated; 62 clinical and 7 genetic items constitute the core dataset; 23 clinical items contain longitudinal information. The database contains information on 1838 patients from 11 countries (December 2011), with or without mutations in known genes. These numbers can expand indefinitely. Data are entered by a clinician in each center who supervises accuracy. This network was constructed to make available pooled international data for the study of RTT natural history and genotype-phenotype correlation and to indicate the proportion of patients with specific clinical features and mutations. We expect that the network will serve for the recruitment of patients into clinical trials and for developing quality measures to drive up standards of medical management.

FOXG1, un nuevo gen responsable de la forma cognítiva del síndrome de Rett / FOXG1, a new gene responsible for the congenital form of Rett syndrome

Introducción. El síndrome de Rett (SR) es un trastorno del neurodesarrollo que afecta casi exclusivamente a niñas. Laidentificación de mutaciones en los genes MECP2 y CDKL5 aporta una confirmación genética del diagnóstico clínico. El genFOXG1 se perfila como un nuevo responsable de la variante congénita del SR.Caso clínico. Se describe la primera paciente española con variante atípica (congénita) del SR con mutación en el genFOXG1, y se compara con 12 pacientes publicados en la bibliografía; se proponen criterios clínicos sugestivos de alteracionesen el FOXG1. La paciente fue remitida a los 6 meses por retraso global, hipotonía axial, microcefalia y fenotipo peculiar.Resonancia magnética cerebral: hipoplasia del cuerpo calloso, atrofia frontal y ventriculomegalia. Aparición de estereotipiasmano-boca a los 12 meses que orientan hacia el diagnóstico clínico de variante atípica del SR, forma congénita;mejoría progresiva del contacto visual e interés por el medio. Infecciones respiratorias frecuentes y síndrome de apneaobstructiva del sueño. A los 5 años existe un control parcial del tono axial, prensión manual, buen contacto y balbuceo,sin epilepsia ni alteraciones conductuales. El estudio de MECP2 y deleciones subteloméricas no mostró alteraciones; seidentificaron dos polimorfismos en el gen CDKL5 y una mutación patogénica en el FOXG1 (c.624C>G p.Tyr203X).Conclusiones. El 92% de pacientes con mutaciones en el gen FOXG1 presenta la forma congénita del SR con una gravehipotonía generalizada, microcefalia adquirida precoz (–3 a –6 desviaciones estándares) y fenotipo peculiar. Ante undiagnóstico de SR sin alteración en los genes MECP2 y CDKL5, especialmente en la variante congénita, debe investigarse elgen FOXG1. El diagnóstico molecular confirma el diagnóstico clínico y aporta un consejo genético a la familia (AU)

Introduction. Rett syndrome (RS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects girls almost exclusively. The identificationof mutations in the MECP2 and CDKL5 genes offers genetic confirmation of the clinical diagnosis. The FOXG1 gene appearsto be a novel cause of the congenital variant of RS.Case report. We describe the first Spanish patient with the atypical (congenital) variant of RS with mutation of the FOXG1gene and the case is compared with 12 patients previously reported in the literature; clinical criteria that suggest alterationsin FOXG1 are proposed. The patient was referred at the age of 6 months due to overall retardation, axial hypotonia,microcephaly and a peculiar phenotype. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed hypoplasia of the corpuscallosum, frontal atrophy and ventriculomegaly. The appearance of hand-to-mouth stereotypic movements at 12 monthspointed the clinical diagnosis towards an atypical variant of RS, the congenital form; there was progressive improvementof visual contact and interest in her surroundings. Frequent respiratory infections and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.At the age of 5 years there was partial control over the axial tone, grasping with the hands, good contact and babbling,without epilepsy or behavioural disorders. The MECP2 and subtelomeric deletion study did not reveal any alterations; twopolymorphisms were identified in the CDKL5 gene and a pathogenic mutation was found in FOXG1 (c.624C>G p.Tyr203X).Conclusions. It has been shown that 92% of patients with mutations in the FOXG1 gene present the congenital form of RSwith severe generalised hypotonia, early acquired microcephaly (–3 to –6 standard deviations) (AU)

Reflex seizures in Rett syndrome.

Reflex seizures are a rare phenomenon among epileptic patients, in which an epileptic discharge is triggered by various kinds of stimuli (visual, auditory, tactile or gustatory). Epilepsy is common in Rett syndrome patients (up to 70%), but to the authors' knowledge, no pressure or eating-triggered seizures have yet been reported in Rett children. We describe three epileptic Rett patients with reflex seizures, triggered by food intake or proprioception. One patient with congenital Rett Sd. developed infantile epileptic spasms at around seven months and two patients with classic Rett Sd. presented with generalised tonic-clonic seizures at around five years. Reflex seizures appeared when the patients were teenagers. The congenital-Rett patient presented eating-triggered seizures at the beginning of almost every meal, demonstrated by EEG recording. Both classic Rett patients showed self-provoked pressure -triggered attacks, influenced by stress or excitement. Non-triggered seizures were controlled with carbamazepine or valproate, but reflex seizures did not respond to antiepileptic drugs. Risperidone partially improved self-provoked seizures. When reflex seizures are suspected, reproducing the trigger during EEG recording is fundamental; however, self-provoked seizures depend largely on the patient's will. Optimal therapy (though not always possible) consists of avoiding the trigger. Stress modifiers such as risperidone may help control self-provoked seizures.