Speech and language in DDX3X-neurodevelopmental disorder: A call for early augmentative and alternative communication intervention.
Fiche publication
Date publication
février 2024
Journal
American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics : the official publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics
Auteurs
Membres identifiés du Cancéropôle Est :
Pr MANDEL Jean-Louis
Tous les auteurs :
Forbes EJ, Morison LD, Lelik F, Howell T, Debono S, Goel H, Burger P, Mandel JL, Geneviève D, Amor DJ, Morgan AT
Lien Pubmed
Résumé
Pathogenic variants in DDX3X are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Communication impairments are commonly reported, yet specific speech and language diagnoses have not been delineated, preventing prognostic counseling and targeted therapies. Here, we characterized speech and language in 38 female individuals, aged 1.69-24.34 years, with pathogenic and likely pathogenic DDX3X variants (missense, n = 13; nonsense, n = 12; frameshift, n = 7; splice site, n = 3; synonymous, n = 2; deletion, n = 1). Standardized speech, language, motor, social, and adaptive behavior assessments were administered. All participants had gross motor deficits in infancy (34/34), and fine motor deficits were common throughout childhood (94%; 32/34). Intellectual disability was reported in 86% (24/28) of participants over 4 years of age. Expressive, receptive, and social communication skills were, on average, severely impaired. However, receptive language was significantly stronger than expressive language ability. Over half of the assessed participants were minimally verbal (66%; 22/33; range = 2 years 2 months-24 years 4 months; mean = 8 years; SD = 6 years) and augmented speech with sign language, gestures, or digital devices. A quarter of the cohort had childhood apraxia of speech (25%; 9/36). Despite speech and language impairments, social motivation was a relevant strength. Many participants used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), underscoring the need for early, tailored, and comprehensive AAC intervention.
Mots clés
DDX3X, developmental delay, intellectual disability, language, neurodevelopment, speech
Référence
Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet. 2024 02 29;:e32971