In 1939, Hans Luxenburger published a detailed overview of the current status of schizophrenia genetics research, reaching six major conclusions. First, schizophrenia is clearly a hereditary disease. Second, however, schizophrenia is not the hereditary trait itself but rather the consequences of a slowly developing biological progress, the nature of which remains entirely unknown. Third, the full manifestation of the disorder requires certain environmental influences that must come into play. In around 30% of cases, the environment can inhibit hereditary factors so that the predisposition does not manifest in schizophrenia. Fourth, the mode of inheritance of schizophrenia remains unknown, although recessivity is more likely than dominance and monomerism is more likely than polymerism. Fifth, current evidence suggests that schizophrenia is likely etiologically homogenous. Sixth, schizophrenia is part of a hereditary circle that includes “normal” variants of the human personality (schizothymia), a pathological version of this dimension (schizoidia), and other schizophrenia-like delusional syndromes. Luxenburger is skeptical of efforts to clarify further Mendelian transmission models in the absence of pathophysiological markers because schizophrenia cannot serve as a typical phenotype for genetic analysis. By contrast, he strongly supports empirical work on hereditary prognosis, which does not depend on assumptions about any particular phenotype–genotype relationship.
{"title":"Luxenburger's 1939 Essay on “Schizophrenia and its Hereditary Circle”","authors":"Kenneth S. Kendler, Astrid Klee","doi":"10.1002/ajmg.b.32977","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajmg.b.32977","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In 1939, Hans Luxenburger published a detailed overview of the current status of schizophrenia genetics research, reaching six major conclusions. First, schizophrenia is clearly a hereditary disease. Second, however, schizophrenia is not the hereditary trait itself but rather the consequences of a slowly developing biological progress, the nature of which remains entirely unknown. Third, the full manifestation of the disorder requires certain environmental influences that must come into play. In around 30% of cases, the environment can inhibit hereditary factors so that the predisposition does not manifest in schizophrenia. Fourth, the mode of inheritance of schizophrenia remains unknown, although recessivity is more likely than dominance and monomerism is more likely than polymerism. Fifth, current evidence suggests that schizophrenia is likely etiologically homogenous. Sixth, schizophrenia is part of a hereditary circle that includes “normal” variants of the human personality (schizothymia), a pathological version of this dimension (schizoidia), and other schizophrenia-like delusional syndromes. Luxenburger is skeptical of efforts to clarify further Mendelian transmission models in the absence of pathophysiological markers because schizophrenia cannot serve as a typical phenotype for genetic analysis. By contrast, he strongly supports empirical work on hereditary prognosis, which does not depend on assumptions about any particular phenotype–genotype relationship.</p>","PeriodicalId":7673,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics","volume":"195 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajmg.b.32977","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140139789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Benoit Mazel, Julian Delanne, Aurore Garde, Caroline Racine, Ange-Line Bruel, Yannis Duffourd, Diego Lopergolo, Filippo Maria Santorelli, Viviana Marchi, Anna Maria Pinto, Maria Antonietta Mencarelli, Roberto Canitano, Floriana Valentino, Filomena Tiziana Papa, Chiara Fallerini, Francesca Mari, Alessandra Renieri, Arnold Munnich, Tanguy Niclass, Gwenaël Le Guyader, Christel Thauvin-Robinet, Christophe Philippe, Laurence Faivre
Since 2008, FOXG1 haploinsufficiency has been linked to a severe neurodevelopmental phenotype resembling Rett syndrome but with earlier onset. Most patients are unable to sit, walk, or speak. For years, FOXG1 sequencing was only prescribed in such severe cases, limiting insight into the full clinical spectrum associated with this gene. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) now enables unbiased diagnostics. Through the European Reference Network for Rare Malformation Syndromes, Intellectual and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders, we gathered data from patients with heterozygous FOXG1 variants presenting a mild phenotype, defined as able to speak and walk independently. We also reviewed data from three previously reported patients meeting our criteria. We identified five new patients with pathogenic FOXG1 missense variants, primarily in the forkhead domain, showing varying nonspecific intellectual disability and developmental delay. These features are not typical of congenital Rett syndrome and were rarely associated with microcephaly and epilepsy. Our findings are consistent with a previous genotype–phenotype analysis by Mitter et al. suggesting the delineation of five different FOXG1 genotype groups. Milder phenotypes were associated with missense variants in the forkhead domain. This information may facilitate prognostic assessments in children carrying a FOXG1 variant and improve the interpretation of new variants identified with genomic sequencing.
{"title":"FOXG1 variants can be associated with milder phenotypes than congenital Rett syndrome with unassisted walking and language development","authors":"Benoit Mazel, Julian Delanne, Aurore Garde, Caroline Racine, Ange-Line Bruel, Yannis Duffourd, Diego Lopergolo, Filippo Maria Santorelli, Viviana Marchi, Anna Maria Pinto, Maria Antonietta Mencarelli, Roberto Canitano, Floriana Valentino, Filomena Tiziana Papa, Chiara Fallerini, Francesca Mari, Alessandra Renieri, Arnold Munnich, Tanguy Niclass, Gwenaël Le Guyader, Christel Thauvin-Robinet, Christophe Philippe, Laurence Faivre","doi":"10.1002/ajmg.b.32970","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajmg.b.32970","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Since 2008, <i>FOXG1</i> haploinsufficiency has been linked to a severe neurodevelopmental phenotype resembling Rett syndrome but with earlier onset. Most patients are unable to sit, walk, or speak. For years, <i>FOXG1</i> sequencing was only prescribed in such severe cases, limiting insight into the full clinical spectrum associated with this gene. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) now enables unbiased diagnostics. Through the European Reference Network for Rare Malformation Syndromes, Intellectual and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders, we gathered data from patients with heterozygous <i>FOXG1</i> variants presenting a mild phenotype, defined as able to speak and walk independently. We also reviewed data from three previously reported patients meeting our criteria. We identified five new patients with pathogenic <i>FOXG1</i> missense variants, primarily in the forkhead domain, showing varying nonspecific intellectual disability and developmental delay. These features are not typical of congenital Rett syndrome and were rarely associated with microcephaly and epilepsy. Our findings are consistent with a previous genotype–phenotype analysis by Mitter et al. suggesting the delineation of five different <i>FOXG1</i> genotype groups. Milder phenotypes were associated with missense variants in the forkhead domain. This information may facilitate prognostic assessments in children carrying a <i>FOXG1</i> variant and improve the interpretation of new variants identified with genomic sequencing.</p>","PeriodicalId":7673,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics","volume":"195 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajmg.b.32970","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140064640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elana J. Forbes, Lottie D. Morison, Fatma Lelik, Tegan Howell, Simone Debono, Himanshu Goel, Pauline Burger, Jean-Louis Mandel, David Geneviève, David J. Amor, Angela T. Morgan
Pathogenic variants in DDX3X are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Communication impairments are commonly reported, yet specific speech and language diagnoses have not been delineated, preventing prognostic counseling and targeted therapies. Here, we characterized speech and language in 38 female individuals, aged 1.69–24.34 years, with pathogenic and likely pathogenic DDX3X variants (missense, n = 13; nonsense, n = 12; frameshift, n = 7; splice site, n = 3; synonymous, n = 2; deletion, n = 1). Standardized speech, language, motor, social, and adaptive behavior assessments were administered. All participants had gross motor deficits in infancy (34/34), and fine motor deficits were common throughout childhood (94%; 32/34). Intellectual disability was reported in 86% (24/28) of participants over 4 years of age. Expressive, receptive, and social communication skills were, on average, severely impaired. However, receptive language was significantly stronger than expressive language ability. Over half of the assessed participants were minimally verbal (66%; 22/33; range = 2 years 2 months–24 years 4 months; mean = 8 years; SD = 6 years) and augmented speech with sign language, gestures, or digital devices. A quarter of the cohort had childhood apraxia of speech (25%; 9/36). Despite speech and language impairments, social motivation was a relevant strength. Many participants used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), underscoring the need for early, tailored, and comprehensive AAC intervention.
{"title":"Speech and language in DDX3X-neurodevelopmental disorder: A call for early augmentative and alternative communication intervention","authors":"Elana J. Forbes, Lottie D. Morison, Fatma Lelik, Tegan Howell, Simone Debono, Himanshu Goel, Pauline Burger, Jean-Louis Mandel, David Geneviève, David J. Amor, Angela T. Morgan","doi":"10.1002/ajmg.b.32971","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajmg.b.32971","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Pathogenic variants in <i>DDX3X</i> are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Communication impairments are commonly reported, yet specific speech and language diagnoses have not been delineated, preventing prognostic counseling and targeted therapies. Here, we characterized speech and language in 38 female individuals, aged 1.69–24.34 years, with pathogenic and likely pathogenic <i>DDX3X</i> variants (missense, <i>n</i> = 13; nonsense, <i>n</i> = 12; frameshift, <i>n</i> = 7; splice site, <i>n</i> = 3; synonymous, <i>n</i> = 2; deletion, <i>n</i> = 1). Standardized speech, language, motor, social, and adaptive behavior assessments were administered. All participants had gross motor deficits in infancy (34/34), and fine motor deficits were common throughout childhood (94%; 32/34). Intellectual disability was reported in 86% (24/28) of participants over 4 years of age. Expressive, receptive, and social communication skills were, on average, severely impaired. However, receptive language was significantly stronger than expressive language ability. Over half of the assessed participants were minimally verbal (66%; 22/33; range = 2 years 2 months–24 years 4 months; mean = 8 years; <i>SD</i> = 6 years) and augmented speech with sign language, gestures, or digital devices. A quarter of the cohort had childhood apraxia of speech (25%; 9/36). Despite speech and language impairments, social motivation was a relevant strength. Many participants used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), underscoring the need for early, tailored, and comprehensive AAC intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":7673,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics","volume":"195 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-02-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajmg.b.32971","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139989075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Haley McBride, Nandini Jhawar, Laurie Boucicaut, Carrie E. Bearden, Wendy R. Kates, Sarah E. Woolf-King, Kevin M. Antshel
Compared to the large body of maternal mental health research for other pediatric disorders, we know far less about the experience of mothers of children with 22q11DS. This study investigates the coping methods, protective factors, and mental health of this population. These findings might lead to better support for 22q11DS maternal mental health. An international sample of 71 mothers (M = 40.5 years) of children with 22q11DS (M = 9.2 years) was recruited and completed an online survey assessing maternal mental health (symptoms of depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, general stress, and alcohol consumption), coping methods, and mental health protective factors (social support, dyadic adjustment, parenting competence). Maternal ratings of child mental health symptoms were also obtained. Mothers' self-report revealed a high percentage who screened positive for elevated levels of general stress (69%), hazardous alcohol consumption (30.9%), traumatic stress (33.8%), anxiety (26.8%), and depression (26.8%). After controlling for demographic variables and child mental health symptoms, maternal self-reported maladaptive coping methods were positively associated with maternal symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and traumatic stress. Reducing maladaptive coping methods may be a promising intervention for improving mental health in mothers of children with 22q11DS.
{"title":"Mental health, coping, and protective factors in mothers of children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome","authors":"Haley McBride, Nandini Jhawar, Laurie Boucicaut, Carrie E. Bearden, Wendy R. Kates, Sarah E. Woolf-King, Kevin M. Antshel","doi":"10.1002/ajmg.b.32973","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajmg.b.32973","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Compared to the large body of maternal mental health research for other pediatric disorders, we know far less about the experience of mothers of children with 22q11DS. This study investigates the coping methods, protective factors, and mental health of this population. These findings might lead to better support for 22q11DS maternal mental health. An international sample of 71 mothers (<i>M</i> = 40.5 years) of children with 22q11DS (<i>M</i> = 9.2 years) was recruited and completed an online survey assessing maternal mental health (symptoms of depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, general stress, and alcohol consumption), coping methods, and mental health protective factors (social support, dyadic adjustment, parenting competence). Maternal ratings of child mental health symptoms were also obtained. Mothers' self-report revealed a high percentage who screened positive for elevated levels of general stress (69%), hazardous alcohol consumption (30.9%), traumatic stress (33.8%), anxiety (26.8%), and depression (26.8%). After controlling for demographic variables and child mental health symptoms, maternal self-reported maladaptive coping methods were positively associated with maternal symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and traumatic stress. Reducing maladaptive coping methods may be a promising intervention for improving mental health in mothers of children with 22q11DS.</p>","PeriodicalId":7673,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics","volume":"195 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajmg.b.32973","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139970661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Loss-of-function CHD2 (chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 2) mutations are associated with a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders often including early-onset generalized seizures, photosensitivity, and epileptic encephalopathies. Patients show psychomotor delay/intellectual disability (ID), autistic features, and behavior disorders, such as aggression and impulsivity. Most reported cases are sporadic with description of germline mosaicism only in two families. We detect the first case of parental gonosomal CHD2 mosaicism disclosed by two brothers showing mild ID, born to healthy parents. The eldest brother has a history of drug-controlled generalized tonic–clonic seizures and displays sleep disorder and aggressive behavior suggestive of Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS). Analysis of brothers’ DNAs by next-generation sequencing (NGS) custom gene panel for pediatric epilepsy and/or ID disclosed in both the same pathogenic CHD2 variant. Additional NGS experiment on genomic DNA from parents’ peripheral blood and from buccal swab raised the suspicion of low-grade gonosomal mosaicism in the unaffected mother subsequently confirmed by digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR). This report underlines as worthwhile CHD2 screening in individuals presenting ID/developmental delay, with/without epilepsy, and behavior and sleep disorders suggestive of SMS. Detecting a CHD2 variant should prime testing probands' parents by NGS coupled to dPCR on different tissues to exclude/confirm gonosomal mosaicism and define the recurrence risk.
功能缺失型 CHD2(染色质链螺旋酶 DNA 结合蛋白 2)突变与一系列神经发育障碍有关,通常包括早发型全身性癫痫发作、光敏感性和癫痫性脑病。患者表现出精神运动发育迟缓/智力障碍(ID)、自闭症特征和行为障碍,如攻击性和冲动性。大多数报道的病例都是散发性的,只有两个家族描述了种系镶嵌现象。我们发现了首例父母性染色体 CHD2 嵌合的病例,两兄弟表现为轻度 ID,父母均健康。长兄有药物控制的全身强直-阵挛发作病史,并表现出睡眠障碍和攻击性行为,提示患有史密斯-马吉尼斯综合征(SMS)。通过下一代测序(NGS)定制的小儿癫痫和/或 ID 基因面板对兄弟俩的 DNA 进行分析,发现他们都有相同的致病性 CHD2 变异。对来自父母外周血和口腔拭子的基因组 DNA 进行的其他 NGS 实验,使人们怀疑未受影响的母亲体内存在低度性染色体嵌合,随后通过数字聚合酶链反应(dPCR)证实了这一点。该报告强调,在出现 ID/发育迟缓、伴有/不伴有癫痫以及行为和睡眠障碍并提示 SMS 的个体中,CHD2 筛查是值得的。检测 CHD2 变异时,应首先通过 NGS 和 dPCR 对不同组织进行检测,以排除/确认染色体嵌合,并确定复发风险。
{"title":"Low-grade parental gonosomal mosaicism in CHD2 siblings with Smith–Magenis-like syndrome","authors":"Francesca Cogliati, Letizia Straniero, Valeria Rimoldi, Maura Masciadri, Sara Perego, Berardo Rinaldi, Donatella Milani, Davide Gentilini, Lidia Larizza, Rosanna Asselta, Silvia Russo, Maria Francesca Bedeschi","doi":"10.1002/ajmg.b.32976","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ajmg.b.32976","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Loss-of-function <i>CHD2</i> (chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 2) mutations are associated with a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders often including early-onset generalized seizures, photosensitivity, and epileptic encephalopathies. Patients show psychomotor delay/intellectual disability (ID), autistic features, and behavior disorders, such as aggression and impulsivity. Most reported cases are sporadic with description of germline mosaicism only in two families. We detect the first case of parental gonosomal <i>CHD2</i> mosaicism disclosed by two brothers showing mild ID, born to healthy parents. The eldest brother has a history of drug-controlled generalized tonic–clonic seizures and displays sleep disorder and aggressive behavior suggestive of Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS). Analysis of brothers’ DNAs by next-generation sequencing (NGS) custom gene panel for pediatric epilepsy and/or ID disclosed in both the same pathogenic <i>CHD2</i> variant. Additional NGS experiment on genomic DNA from parents’ peripheral blood and from buccal swab raised the suspicion of low-grade gonosomal mosaicism in the unaffected mother subsequently confirmed by digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR). This report underlines as worthwhile <i>CHD2</i> screening in individuals presenting ID/developmental delay, with/without epilepsy, and behavior and sleep disorders suggestive of SMS. Detecting a <i>CHD2</i> variant should prime testing probands' parents by NGS coupled to dPCR on different tissues to exclude/confirm gonosomal mosaicism and define the recurrence risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":7673,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics","volume":"195 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2024-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ajmg.b.32976","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139929604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}