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Development, behaviour and sensory processing in Marshall–Smith syndrome and Malan syndrome: phenotype comparison in two related syndromes

Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, vol. 64, pp. 956–969

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ultrarare Marshall-Smith and Malan syndromes, caused by changes of the gene nuclear factor I X (NFIX), are characterised by intellectual disability (ID) and behavioural problems, although questions remain. Here, development and behaviour are studied and compared in a cross-sectional study, and results are presented with genetic findings. METHODS: Behavioural phenotypes are compared of eight individuals with Marshall-Smith syndrome (three male individuals) and seven with Malan syndrome (four male individuals). Long-term follow-up assessment of cognition and adaptive behaviour was possible in three individuals with Marshall-Smith syndrome. RESULTS: Marshall-Smith syndrome individuals have more severe ID, less adaptive behaviour, more impaired speech and less reciprocal interaction compared with individuals with Malan syndrome. Sensory processing difficulties occur in both syndromes. Follow-up measurement of cognition and adaptive behaviour in Marshall-Smith syndrome shows different individual learning curves over time. CONCLUSIONS: Results show significant between and within syndrome variability. Different NFIX variants underlie distinct clinical phenotypes leading to separate entities. Cognitive, adaptive and sensory impairments are common in both syndromes and increase the risk of challenging behaviour. This study highlights the value of considering behaviour within developmental and environmental context. To improve quality of life, adaptations to environment and treatment are suggested to create a better person-environment fit.

Authors 57

  1. Paul A. Mulder corresponding

    Lentis

    Affiliation as printed

    Autism Team Northern‐Netherlands, Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism Lentis Psychiatric Institute Groningen Netherlands

    Autism Team Northern-Netherlands, Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, Netherlands

  2. University Medical Center Groningen · Lentis

    Affiliation as printed

    Autism Team Northern‐Netherlands, Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism Lentis Psychiatric Institute Groningen Netherlands

    Rob Giel Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry University Medical Center Groningen Groningen Netherlands

    Autism Team Northern-Netherlands, Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, Netherlands

    Rob Giel Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands

  3. Lentis

    Affiliation as printed

    Autism Team Northern‐Netherlands, Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism Lentis Psychiatric Institute Groningen Netherlands

    Autism Team Northern-Netherlands, Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, Netherlands

  4. Azienda ospedaliera "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli"

    Affiliation as printed

    Unità Operativa di Genetica Medica Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Bianchi‐Melacrino‐Morelli Reggio Calabria Italy

  5. Amsterdam University Medical Centers · University of Amsterdam

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Paediatrics, Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam Amsterdam Netherlands

    Department of Paediatrics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

  6. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias

    Affiliation as printed

    Genetics Unit Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias Oviedo Spain

    Genetics Unit, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain

  7. King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology · King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre

    Affiliation as printed

    Saudi Human Genome Project, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, and Department of Genetics King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center Riyadh Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Human Genome Project, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, and Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

  8. Hospital Universitario La Paz · Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases · Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics (INGEMM) Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII Madrid Spain

  9. Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza

    Affiliation as printed

    Cytogenetics Unit Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Foundation San Giovanni Rotondo Italy

    Cytogenetics Unit, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Foundation, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy

  10. Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Clinical Genetics Leiden University Medical Centre Leiden Netherlands

    Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands

  11. Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Clinical Genetics Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust Birmingham UK

    Department of Clinical Genetics, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK

  12. Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve

    Affiliation as printed

    Département de Génétique Médicale Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier Montpellier France

  13. Hospital Universitario La Paz · Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases · Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics (INGEMM) Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII Madrid Spain

  14. University Hospital of Wales

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Medical Genetics University Hospital of Wales Cardiff UK

    Institute of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK

  15. Technische Universität Dresden

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute for Clinical Genetics TU Dresden Dresden Germany

    Institute for Clinical Genetics, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany

  16. Marmara University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Pediatric Genetics Marmara University Medical School, Istanbul and Eastern Mediterranean University Mersin Turkey

    Department of Pediatric Genetics, Marmara University Medical School, Istanbul and Eastern Mediterranean University, Mersin, Turkey

  17. Johns Hopkins University · Johns Hopkins Medicine

    Affiliation as printed

    McKusick‐Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD USA

    McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

  18. University of Birmingham

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences University of Birmingham Birmingham UK

    Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

  19. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias

    Affiliation as printed

    Unit Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias Oviedo Spain

    Unit Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain

  20. Sørlandet Sykehus

    Affiliation as printed

    Sørland Hospital Kristiansand Norway

  21. Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII

    Affiliation as printed

    Medical Genetics Laboratory ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII Bergamo Italy

    Medical Genetics Laboratory, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy

  22. Heidelberg University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Human Genetics Heidelberg University Heidelberg Germany

    Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany

  23. University Hospital of Wales

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Medical Genetics University Hospital of Wales Cardiff UK

    Institute of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK

  24. University of Oxford

    Affiliation as printed

    Academic Endocrine Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine University of Oxford Oxford UK

    Academic Endocrine Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

  25. Hospital Universitario La Paz · Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases · Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics (INGEMM) Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII Madrid Spain

  26. Women's and Children's Hospital · Women's and Children's Health Network

    Affiliation as printed

    South Australian Clinical Genetics Services Women's and Children's Hospital North Adelaide Australia

    South Australian Clinical Genetics Services, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia

  27. University College Dublin · Temple Street Children's University Hospital

    Affiliation as printed

    UCD Academic Centre on Rare Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences University College Dublin, and Clinical Genetics, Temple Street Children's University Hospital Dublin Ireland

    UCD Academic Centre on Rare Diseases, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, and Clinical Genetics, Temple Street Children's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

  28. Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Clinical Genetics Academic Medical Center Amsterdam Netherlands

    Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands

  29. Azienda ospedaliera "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli"

    Affiliation as printed

    Unità Operativa di Genetica Medica Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Bianchi‐Melacrino‐Morelli Reggio Calabria Italy

  30. Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Clinical Genetics Academic Medical Center Amsterdam Netherlands

    Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands

  31. Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

    Affiliation as printed

    Northern Ireland Regional Genetics Service Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Belfast UK

    Northern Ireland Regional Genetics Service, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK

  32. University of Washington · Seattle Children's Research Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and Division of Genetic Medicine University of Washington School of Medicine Seattle WA USA

    Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and Division of Genetic Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

  33. Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

    Affiliation as printed

    Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust Newcastle upon Tyne UK

    Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

  34. University Hospital Magdeburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Human Genetics University Hospital Magdeburg Magdeburg Germany

    Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany

  35. Azienda ospedaliera "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli"

    Affiliation as printed

    Unità Operativa di Genetica Medica Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Bianchi‐Melacrino‐Morelli Reggio Calabria Italy

  36. Ospedale Antonio Cardarelli

    Affiliation as printed

    Medical Genetic and Laboratory Unit "Antonio Cardarelli" Hospital Naples Italy

    Medical Genetic and Laboratory Unit, "Antonio Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy

  37. Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Clinical Genetics Academic Medical Center Amsterdam Netherlands

    Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands

  38. Northampton General Hospital · Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Clinical Genetics Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust Northampton UK

    Department of Clinical Genetics, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, Northampton, UK

  39. Princess Anne Hospital

    Affiliation as printed

    Wessex Clinical Genetics Service Princess Ann Hospital Southampton UK

    Wessex Clinical Genetics Service, Princess Ann Hospital, Southampton, UK

  40. Hospital Universitario La Paz · Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases · Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics (INGEMM) Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII Madrid Spain

  41. Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve

    Affiliation as printed

    Département de Génétique Médicale Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier Montpellier France

  42. University Hospital Magdeburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Human Genetics University Hospital Magdeburg Magdeburg Germany

    Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany

  43. Affiliation as printed

    CENAGEM, Centro Nacional de Genética Buenos Aires Argentina

  44. Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust

    Affiliation as printed

    Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust Exeter UK

    Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK

  45. University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

    Affiliation as printed

    University Hospitals Bristol NHS Trust Bristol UK

    University Hospitals Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK

  46. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

    Affiliation as printed

    Nottingham Clinical Genetics Service Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Nottingham UK

    Nottingham Clinical Genetics Service, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK

  47. St George's Hospital · Institute of Cancer Research · St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

    Affiliation as printed

    Division of Genetics and Epidemiology, Institute of Cancer Research London and South West Thames Regional Genetics Service, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London UK

    Division of Genetics and Epidemiology, Institute of Cancer Research, London and South West Thames Regional Genetics Service, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

  48. Hospital Universitario La Paz · Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases · Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Medical and Molecular Genetics (INGEMM) Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII Madrid Spain

  49. University of Oxford

    Affiliation as printed

    Academic Endocrine Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine University of Oxford Oxford UK

    Academic Endocrine Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

  50. Argerich Hospital

    Affiliation as printed

    Genetics Unit Hospital Militar Central "Cirujano Mayor Dr. Cosme Argerich" Buenos Aires Argentina

    Genetics Unit, Hospital Militar Central "Cirujano Mayor Dr. Cosme Argerich", Buenos Aires, Argentina

  51. Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Clinical Genetics Leiden University Medical Centre Leiden Netherlands

    Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands

  52. Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Clinical Genetics VU University Medical Centre Amsterdam Netherlands

    Department of Clinical Genetics, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands

  53. University Hospital Magdeburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Human Genetics University Hospital Magdeburg Magdeburg Germany

    Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany

  54. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical Genetics Catholic University Rome Italy

    Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Medical Genetics, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

  55. University of Missouri

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Occupational Therapy Education, School of Health Professions University of Missouri Columbia MO USA

    Department of Occupational Therapy Education, School of Health Professions, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA

  56. University Medical Center Groningen · Lentis

    Affiliation as printed

    Autism Team Northern‐Netherlands, Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism Lentis Psychiatric Institute Groningen Netherlands

    Rob Giel Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry University Medical Center Groningen Groningen Netherlands

    Autism Team Northern-Netherlands, Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, Netherlands

    Rob Giel Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands

  57. Lentis · Amsterdam University Medical Centers · University of Amsterdam

    Affiliation as printed

    Autism Team Northern‐Netherlands, Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism Lentis Psychiatric Institute Groningen Netherlands

    Department of Paediatrics, Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam Amsterdam Netherlands

    Autism Team Northern-Netherlands, Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, Netherlands

    Department of Paediatrics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

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References 26