Rett syndrome: Teenagers' and young adults' activities, usage of time and responses during an ordinary week - a diary study.

Background: Little is known about the everyday life of individuals with Rett syndrome.Aim/Objective: To describe ten participants' (teenagers/young adults) activities during a period of seven days, the time-use, where and with whom the activities were performed and the participants' responses in the form of visible/audible reactions during activities.Material and method: A time-geographic self-administered diary was filled in by 63 informants (parents/support staff) and analysed using the software, DAILY LIFE 2011.Results/Findings: The most frequently reported activities were hygiene/toilet, moving around indoors, eating and getting dressed. Most time was spent in sleeping, daily care, medical health care and travel/transportation. Little time remained for receptive activities, daytime rest, physical, social/creative, communication, school/daily work and domestic chore activities, especially for the young adults. Most time was spent with staff, thereafter with families and the least time was spent with friends. The most reported response was "interested", and "opposed" was the least reported.Conclusions: Daily and medical health care activities were time consuming. Improved communication between all parties may increase participation and well-being and provide solutions for handling unpleasant activities and sedentary time.Significance: A more varied range of activities may improve the everyday life for individuals with Rett syndrome.

Trisomy 21 and Rett syndrome: a double burden.

Rett syndrome is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder generally affecting girls. Affected individuals are apparently normal at birth but later pass through a period of regression with loss of hand and communication skills and the development of hand stereotypies and dyspraxia. Mutations in the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene, have now been found to cause Rett syndrome in up to 80% of classical cases. We report a girl with Down syndrome, one of three children with birth defects in a family of five. From the age of 18 months she developed symptomatology considered by her primary physician to be very characteristic of Rett syndrome. However, this remained a clinical diagnosis till the age of 12 years. Laboratory confirmation of the dual diagnosis, which includes a R168X mutation in the MECP2 gene in addition to trisomy 21, has now been possible. The presence of one neurological or developmental disorder does not necessarily preclude a diagnosis of Rett syndrome.

Head growth in Rett syndrome.

The longitudinal development of head growth was investigated in girls with Rett syndrome. Measurements were taken retrospectively from different kinds of records. Growth retardation was expressed in standard deviation (SD) scores. In classic types, the mean head circumference fell successively to 2 SD scores below the norm at the age of 4 y. After the age of 8 y it stabilized close to -3 SD scores. The degree of deceleration correlated strongly to the age at which a deceleration of 1 SD score had occurred. In forme fruste variants, the mean head circumference was within normal limits; however, it was significantly below the norm (-0.8 SD scores). Body height deviated to -2 SD scores at the age of 6 y and was highly correlated to decline in head growth. When head growth was related to the severity of motor disability, there was a continuum from almost normal head growth with well-preserved gross motor function and some preserved fine motor function to a marked deceleration in head growth with maximum gross and fine motor disability.

Age-related occurrence of signs and symptoms in the Rett syndrome.

The occurrence of signs and symptoms in the Rett syndrome (RS) was analyzed in a series of females born 1945-87 (median age 17 1/2 years) and fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for classic RS. For general information, data from 91 girls and women were used (group A), while the more detailed analyses were based on three age related subgroups: the youngest 20, born 1980-87 (group B); the 34 girls born 1970-79 (group C); and the oldest 37, born 1945-69 (group D). Data from group A indicated a developmental stagnation (stage I) at median age 11 (5-24) months and loss of ability to use acquired skills (stage II) at 19 (12-36) months. Group B displayed subtle prodromes in the first months of life, and later in infancy gross motor delay with insufficient equilibrium control. Development invariably came to a definite break at a crucial stage of maturation and was followed by a remarkable "awakening" and return of interest to act and interact (stage III). Loss of skills belonged to the triad contact/communication, hand use/skill, and babble/words. By age 2 1/2 years, apraxia and involuntary and stereotyped movements, were found in all. Seizures, hyperventilation and spells of screams and laughter were more frequent in group C (94%, 65% and 71%, respectively), and breathholding, bloating and drooling in group D (73%, 43% and 81%, respectively). Plantar flexion and abiotrophy of feet, as well as peroneal weakness and scoliosis, increased with age and was found in 89%, 86%, and 89%, respectively. The sequence of events described, emerged as subtle insufficiency and more or less abruptly turned into loss. Conversely to known progressive encephalopathies, the deterioration was followed by excess of activity, only years later to turn into restriction.

Rett syndrome: cerebellar pathology.

The cerebellar pathology at autopsy of 5 patients with Rett syndrome is described. The patients ranged in age from 7-30 years. All had markedly reduced brain weights with proportionately small cerebella. Microscopic examination revealed loss of Purkinje cells, atrophy, astrocytic gliosis of the molecular and granular cell layers, and gliosis and loss of myelin in the white matter. Cortical atrophy occurred focally along the folia and was often more marked in the tips of the folia. The 2 oldest patients had been treated with phenytoin which may have contributed to the morphologic changes. Atrophy and gliosis increased with age or in patients without phenytoin treatment; the youngest patient demonstrated only minor microscopic changes. In addition to the generalized alterations, 1 patient had several adjacent folia with severe atrophy. The results indicate that cerebellar changes in Rett syndrome consist of general hypoplasia with the addition of atrophy beginning in childhood and progressing over many years.

Rett syndrome and the autistic disorders.

Rett syndrome is a disorder noted to date only in females and characterized by a pervasive developmental disability following apparently normal early infancy. In addition to gait difficulties, stereotypic hand movements, and loss of communication and purposeful hand skills, autistic-like behavior is an early sign that often results in misdiagnosis. Despite these significant clinical abnormalities, neuropathologic features are modest, and no consistent laboratory abnormality or diagnostic marker has been identified. The current status of research in RS is considered within the context of autism and other disorders in which autistic features may occur, such as the fragile X syndrome. The concept of autism as neurobiologically based behavior is developed. As such, autism is regarded as an umbrella category containing an ever-expanding list of specific disorders.

CSF and urine biogenic amine metabolites in Rett syndrome.

The metabolites of dopamine (homovanillic acid-HVA), noradrenaline (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenylglycol-HMPG), and serotonin (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid-5-HIAA) were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 38 patients and urine from 36 patients with typical Rett syndrome (RS) and compared with controls of similar age. CSF metabolite concentrations were the same in the patients and controls. Urinary metabolites expressed per mol creatinine were significantly higher in older RS patients. This difference is partly explained by lower urinary creatinine levels in older RS patients, due to their known reduction in muscle mass. Alterations in CSF or urine biogenic amine metabolite concentrations do not appear to represent the primary abnormality in RS, and their measurement cannot be regarded as a reliable means of diagnosis.

The Rett syndrome related to fragile X(P22) in caffeine-induced lymphocyte culture.

Chromosome analyses of lymphocytes cultured in a medium supplemented with caffeine showed a significantly higher frequency of fragile X(p22) in 13 girls with the Rett syndrome (RS) than in 9 healthy controls (p less than 0.05).

Early stages of the Rett syndrome and infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis--a difficult differential diagnosis.

The Rett syndrome (RS) and infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL) are known clinically to present with quite similar manifestations in the very first stages of disease. Ten girls, born 1982-85, from the Swedish series of RS, were compared with 6 children with biopsy-confirmed INCL, deriving from 4 families, as to neurodevelopmental, neurological, ophthalmological, neurophysiological, and CT data. The rapid regression at 1-2 years of age with loss of acquired fine motor skill, learned words, and communication were found to be inseparable between the diseases, as were the successively developing hand and finger stereotypies. Early clues for differential diagnosis were the appearance of transient drop spells, loss of head control, and irregular myoclonias in INCL, flattening of the EEG, early cortical atrophy indicated at CT, and particularly abnormal ERGs. For accurate diagnosis of INCL a biopsy with characteristic EM findings of "snowball" aggregates is a necessity. After 2 3/4-3 years of age, a clinical differentiation was possible in all cases, with visual failure and rapidly decreasing motor ability, head control deterioration, hyperexcitability, and trunk-limb extension tonus being characteristic for INCL.

The Rett syndrome: gross motor disability and neural impairment in adults.

Profile and variation of gross motor disability and neural impairments were studied in a series of 30 women, aged 22-44 years, fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for the Rett syndrome (RS). The sequential development of neurological signs and a movement disorder causing immobility in 80% were found. On the basis of acquired and sustained walking ability, the women could be divided into three groups: one comprising those 20% still walking (group III), one those 60% previously walking (group IVA) and the third those 20% who had never developed walking ability (group IVB). Spastic signs, seldom prominent, were found in all the three groups, while dystonic signs were most common in those previously walking, and weakness and wasting in the group that never acquired that skill. Early progressive scoliosis, peroneal weakness and excavated feet, interpreted as lower motor neuron signs mainly due to spinal tract impairment, were most extensive among those never able to walk. Loss of walking was considered a consequence of deranging combinations of weakness and dystonia. The patterns of neuromotor disturbances are discussed in relation to other manifestations of RS.

CSF beta-endorphins in childhood neuropsychiatric disorders.

Thirty-one children with autistic disorder, 8 with the Rett syndrome (RS), 2 with childhood disintegrative disorder and 5 with infantile spasms were compared with healthy adult controls with respect to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) beta-endorphin levels. The autistic disorder and RS groups showed significantly lower values than the other groups. There were no age trends within the various groups. Further study of CSF beta-endorphins in these disorders and blindly examined age matched controls is warranted.

Rett syndrome: biogenic amines and metabolites in postmortem brain.

The biogenic amines, dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline, and their respective metabolites, homovanillic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and hydroxymethoxyphenylglycol, were measured in selected brain regions obtained at postmortem examination from 4 patients, ages 12-30 years, with typical features of Rett syndrome. A 50% or greater reduction in each compound, except hydroxymethoxyphenylglycol, was observed in the substantia nigra from the 2 older patients, while the youngest patient had normal or nearly normal levels. These results correspond with the most consistent neuropathologic finding in Rett syndrome, reduced melanin content in neurons of the substantia nigra.

EEG development in Rett syndrome. A study of 30 cases.

EEG development through advancing clinical stages was studied in 30 cases of Rett syndrome, a progressive encephalopathy seen so far only in girls. Besides slowing of background activity and epileptic patterns, which are found in many types of 'degenerative' brain diseases, we observed in advanced stages of Rett syndrome unusual EEG patterns resembling those seen in slow virus encephalitis. On the other hand, the EEG was normal in one case of advanced Rett syndrome. The typical steps of EEG development were: initially normal EEG; as the first abnormality rolandic spikes, often followed by other epileptic patterns; and, in more advanced stages, a pseudoperiodic delta pattern and occasionally generalized periodic spike activity. The results motivate a discussion concerning other possible origins of Rett syndrome in addition to the supposed genetic one. The question is raised whether Rett syndrome might be etiologically heterogeneous.

Neurophysiological findings in the Rett syndrome, I: EMG, conduction velocity, EEG and somatosensory-evoked potential studies.

Nine girls, aged 10 to 22 years, with confirmed Rett syndrome--eight as stage IV and one at stage III--were investigated neurophysiologically. EMG and neurography studies were performed, and somatosensory-evoked responses (SER) were recorded as well as EEG with topographic mapping. Even in advanced clinical stages, no major motor root involvement or demyelinating motor peripheral neuropathy was detected on EMG or neurography, but an axonopathy, possibly of secondary origin, was observed. EEG showed slowing and dominance of low frequency activity of subcortical origin, with or without epileptic discharges. SER findings suggested involvement of the spinal cord and the spinothalamic system. Neurophysiological investigations can be used by the clinician in the differential diagnosis of the Rett syndrome.

Neurophysiological findings in the Rett syndrome, II: Visual and auditory brainstem, middle and late evoked responses.

Nine girls with the Rett syndrome (RS) were investigated neurophysiologically using evoked potentials techniques. Visual- (VER) and auditory-evoked responses, including the early (ABR), middle (MLR) and late components (ACR), were recorded. There was evidence of variable, multilevel impairment of the nervous system. While ABR and MLR indicated lesions at the brainstem and midbrain levels, the late responses and VER pointed to an intra-cerebral/cortical defect. It is suggested that the perceptual mechanisms still functioned and some discrimination properties remained.

Rett syndrome: spinal cord neuropathology.

The morphologic changes of the spinal cord in Rett syndrome are described in 2 young women who died at 20 and 30 years of age. Both patients had been in a severely disabled state for many years with tetraparesis and extreme muscle wasting. Degeneration and loss of spinal ganglion nerve cells, in addition to gliosis of both the white and gray matter of the spinal cord, were evident. The number of motor neurons appeared to be reduced and axonal changes suggestive of degeneration were observed in both the ascending and descending tracts.

Rett syndrome: epidemiology and nosology--progress in knowledge 1986--a conference communication.

Recent progress from pooled clinical experience is reviewed. The approximate number of documented cases of Rett syndrome (RS) as of October 1986 was 1,100. Three sister pairs, 3 monozygotic twin pairs (both twin girls affected), 3 dizygotic twin pairs (one twin girl affected) are known. Genetics are discussed based on these and other known occurrences. Early seizure-onset variants have been reported in a dozen cases representing various countries. Approximately 20 incomplete RS related cases, also termed "formes frustes," are documented as of October 1986. An actual Swedish series of 66 classical RS, 4 "formes frustes," 2 early seizure-onset variants and 9 other clinically near related atypical cases is summarized. A suggested late stage IV spinal cord impairment is discussed, as well as the whole adult multifacetted complex neurological pattern. Gastrointestinal pathology is discussed with reference to possible generalized neuropeptide disturbances.

Rett syndrome: a retrospective pilot study on potential early predictive symptomatology.

A pilot study is presented, in which traditional neurodevelopmental parameters were retrospectively used in an attempt to compare the early development of 10 young girls with Rett syndrome (RS) to that of considered normality in child health screening. The early developmental profile at key ages was defined by applying the Denver Developmental Screening Test frames for the range of normal development, to the achievements recorded for each child during routine developmental assessment in Swedish child health care. Key ages chosen were 6, 9-10, 15, 18 and 24 months. At the 6 month level no predictive deviations could have been revealed. At 9-10 months suspicions of abnormal development could have been arisen from a delayed, dissociated motor development combined with immaturity of equilibrium functions. Developmental deviations and neurological signs indicative of RS had been present in 5 of the girls at 15 months, in 8 at 18 months and in all 10 at 24 months. Possible predictive signs were loss of acquired hand skill and learned single words, diminished communication and contact ability, appearance of truncal instability and dysequilibrium signs. The insidious appearance of motor developmental deviations during infancy, dwelling inside the concept of normality, was confirmed. Loss of acquired manipulative hand skill, often mixed with non-specific circulating hand-mouth movements, still constitutes the single most informative early warning signal for the syndrome.