The aging process of people with intellectual disabilities has been a topic of interest in recent years. Good knowledge of the specific healthcare problems in adults with intellectual disabilities and anticipating on these problems are important issues in providing support and healthcare for these persons. Nevertheless little is known about the aging process of people with specific syndromes, l...

Rett syndrome is a rare disorder caused by a mutation in the MECP2 gene. Those affected generally have severe functional impairments, and medical comorbidities such as scoliosis and poor growth are common. There is a paucity of information on the natural history of many rare disorders and an even greater deficit of evidence to guide best practice. The population-based and longitudinal Australia...

Two new studies reveal novel DNA-binding properties of MeCP2, mutations of which cause Rett syndrome. Baker et al. report critical roles for the AT-hook domain of MeCP2 in chromatin organization and clinical features of Rett syndrome. Mellén et al. find the methyl-CpG-binding domain of MeCP2 interacts with hydroxymethyl-CpG.

BACKGROUND Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting only girls; 99.5% of Rett syndrome cases are sporadic, although several familial cases have been reported. Mutations in the MECP2 gene were identified in approximately 70-80% of sporadic Rett syndrome cases. METHODS We have screened the MECP2 gene coding region for mutations in five familial cases of Rett syndrome and studied...

OBJECTIVE Rett Syndrome is a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder caused mainly by mutations in the gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2. The relevance of MeCP2 for GABAergic function was previously documented in animal models. In these models, animals show deficits in brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease. Neuronal Cation...

Rett syndrome is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology. Reported here are three children who presented with all clinical features of Rett syndrome. The aim of this presentation is to alert physicians to the existence of this progressive brain disease which only affects girls and so far no specific treatment has been suggested.

........................................................................................................9 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................10 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ................................................................11 1. AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS AND DEVELOPMENTAL DYSPHASIA ..11 1.1. History ...................