Jatinder Singh1, Evamaria Lanzarini1, Paramala Santosh1. 1. From the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK (Singh, Santosh); the Centre for Interventional Paediatric Psychopharmacology and Rare Diseases, South London, and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK (Singh, Lanzarini, Santosh); and the Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy (Lanzarini).
Abstract
Background: Rett syndrome (RTT), a debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder that begins in early childhood, is characterized by impairments in the autonomic nervous system that can lead to sudden unexpected death. This study explores the mechanisms of autonomic dysfunction to identify potential risk factors for sudden death in patients with RTT. Methods: Following the Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, we undertook comprehensive systematic reviews using the PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, PsycINFO, Embase and Web of Science databases. Results: We identified and critically appraised 39 articles for autonomic dysfunction and 5 for sudden death that satisfied the eligibility criteria. Following thematic analysis, we identified 7 themes: breathing irregularities, abnormal spontaneous brainstem activations, heart rate variability metrics, QTc changes, vagal imbalance, fluctuation in peptides and serotonergic neurotransmission. We grouped these 7 themes into 3 final themes: (A) brainstem modulation of breathing, (B) electrical instability of the cardiovascular system and (C) neurochemical changes contributing to autonomic decline. We described key evidence relating to each theme and identified important areas that could improve the clinical management of patients with RTT. Limitations: The heterogeneity of the methods used to assess autonomic function increased the difficulty of making inferences from the different studies. Conclusion: This study identified the important mediators of autonomic dysfunction and sudden death in patients with RTT. We proposed brainstem mechanisms and emphasized risk factors that increase brainstem vulnerability. We discussed clinical management to reduce sudden death and future directions for this vulnerable population.
Background: Rett syndrome (RTT), a debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder that begins in early childhood, is characterized by impairments in the autonomic nervous system that can lead to sudden unexpected death. This study explores the mechanisms of autonomic dysfunction to identify potential risk factors for sudden death in patients with RTT. Methods: Following the Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, we undertook comprehensive systematic reviews using the PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, PsycINFO, Embase and Web of Science databases. Results: We identified and critically appraised 39 articles for autonomic dysfunction and 5 for sudden death that satisfied the eligibility criteria. Following thematic analysis, we identified 7 themes: breathing irregularities, abnormal spontaneous brainstem activations, heart rate variability metrics, QTc changes, vagal imbalance, fluctuation in peptides and serotonergic neurotransmission. We grouped these 7 themes into 3 final themes: (A) brainstem modulation of breathing, (B) electrical instability of the cardiovascular system and (C) neurochemical changes contributing to autonomic decline. We described key evidence relating to each theme and identified important areas that could improve the clinical management of patients with RTT. Limitations: The heterogeneity of the methods used to assess autonomic function increased the difficulty of making inferences from the different studies. Conclusion: This study identified the important mediators of autonomic dysfunction and sudden death in patients with RTT. We proposed brainstem mechanisms and emphasized risk factors that increase brainstem vulnerability. We discussed clinical management to reduce sudden death and future directions for this vulnerable population.
Authors: Heather M O'Leary; Peter B Marschik; Omar S Khwaja; Eugenia Ho; Katherine V Barnes; Tessa W Clarkson; Natalie M Bruck; Walter E Kaufmann Journal: Dev Neurorehabil Date: 2015-10-12 Impact factor: 2.308
Authors: Daniel C Tarquinio; Wei Hou; Jeffrey L Neul; Gamze Kilic Berkmen; Jana Drummond; Elizabeth Aronoff; Jennifer Harris; Jane B Lane; Walter E Kaufmann; Kathleen J Motil; Daniel G Glaze; Steven A Skinner; Alan K Percy Journal: Brain Dev Date: 2018-04-12 Impact factor: 1.961
Authors: Jan-Marino Ramirez; Marlusa Karlen-Amarante; Jia-Der Ju Wang; Nicholas E Bush; Michael S Carroll; Debra E Weese-Mayer; Alyssa Huff Journal: Physiology (Bethesda) Date: 2020-11-01