Rett syndrome in adults with severe intellectual disability: exploration of behavioral characteristics
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2008
Abstract
Rett syndrome is a genetically linked form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) accompanied by intellectual disability (ID). The disorder is also characterized by cardiorespiratory dysregulation, disturbance in muscle tone, reduced brain growth and scoliosis. Over 300 studies have been published on the disorder, most of which has focused on identification of causative factors, which appears to be the result of mutations of gene MECP2. Rarely have adults with Rett syndrome been studied, and behavioral characteristics in these individuals are largely unknown. The present study aimed to extend what little is known about behavioral characteristics of Rett syndrome in adults, with particular emphasis on social, communicative, and adaptive behavior. Rett syndrome adults with severe ID were matched to autistic adults with ID and ID only controls. The implications of these data for more fully describing and diagnosing the condition in adults are discussed.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists
First Page
460
Last Page
5
Recommended Citation
Matson, J. L., Dempsey, T., & Wilkins, J. (2008). Rett syndrome in adults with severe intellectual disability: exploration of behavioral characteristics. European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists, 23 (6), 460-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2007.11.008