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Comparison of Core Features in Four Developmental Encephalopathies in the Rett Natural History Study
Author(s) -
CutriFrench Clare,
Armstrong Dallas,
Saby Joni,
Gorman Casey,
Lane Jane,
Fu Cary,
Peters Sarika U.,
Percy Alan,
Neul Jeffrey L.,
Marsh Eric D.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.25797
Subject(s) - rett syndrome , mecp2 , natural history study , pediatrics , neurodevelopmental disorder , epilepsy , natural history , epileptic spasms , degenerative disease , psychology , neurological disorder , age of onset , severity of illness , medicine , disease , central nervous system disease , psychiatry , biology , autism , biochemistry , gene , phenotype
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.