The Language Phenotype of Children and Adolescents With Noonan Syndrome

2015

J Pediatr Neuropsychol

Self Cite

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a relatively common genetic syndrome with variable features including short stature, congenital heart disease, distinctive facial characteristics, skeletal anomalies, and varying degrees of developmental delay. NS is caused by gene mutations in a cellular signaling pathway that is essential for typical growth and development. Research in the past few decades has revealed that individuals with NS have highly variable neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes. To a certain extent, variability in cognitive functioning depends on the particular gene where a mutation is found; additionally, factors related to medical severity and environmental effects contribute substantially to outcomes. This article contains a systematic review of research on neuropsychological features of NS, including cognition, motor development, language, memory, attention, visual perception, adaptive behavior, social skills, and mental health concerns. Given the wide variety of possible cognitive and behavioral complications associated with NS, it is recommended that clinical neuropsychological evaluation of cognitive, adaptive, and psychological domains of functioning should be standard of care for all individuals with NS. Suggested considerations for assessment of individuals with NS are provided. The paper concludes with recommendations for educational and therapeutic interventions, as well as suggestions for future research directions.

Section: Speech and Languagementioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Speech and Languagementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Adaptive Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Speech and Languagementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Speech and Languagementioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Neuropsychological Functioning in Individuals with Noonan Syndrome: a Systematic Literature Review with Educational and Treatment Recommendations

2015

J Pediatr Neuropsychol

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Effects of germline mutations in the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway on adaptive behavior: Cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome and Noonan syndrome

American J of Med Genetics Pt A

Mendelsohn

et al. 2010

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Cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFC) and Noonan syndrome (NS) are two phenotypically overlapping genetic disorders whose underlying molecular etiologies affect a common signaling pathway. Mutations in the BRAF, MEK1 and MEK2 genes cause most cases of CFC and mutations in PTPN11, SOS1, KRAS and RAF1 typically cause NS. Although both syndromes are associated with developmental delays of varying severity, the extent to which the behavioral profiles differ may shed light on the different roles these respective genes play in development of skills necessary for everyday functioning. In this study, profiles of adaptive behavior of individuals with CFC and NS who had confirmed pathogenic mutations in Ras/MAPK pathway genes were investigated. Patterns of strengths and weaknesses, age-related differences, and risk factors for difficulties in adaptive skills were assessed. Although genes acting more downstream in the Ras/MAPK pathway were associated with more difficulties in adaptive functioning than genes more upstream in the pathway, several inconsistencies highlight the wide spectrum of possible developmental courses in CFC and NS. Along with clinical and genetic factors, variables such as chronological age, gestational age at birth and parental education levels accounted for significant variance in adaptive skills. Results indicate that there is wide heterogeneity in adaptive ability in CFC and NS, but that these abilities are correlated to some extent with the specific disease-causing genes.

Learning and memory in children with Noonan syndrome

American J of Med Genetics Pt A

Tworog-Dube

Roberts

2013

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Genetic syndromes resulting from molecular alterations of the RAS-MAPK signaling cascade have become the focus of heightened interest among behavioral scientists due to discoveries that proteins within this pathway play an important role in memory formation and consolidation. Individuals with Noonan syndrome (NS), caused by germline mutations in the RAS-MAPK pathway, exhibit wide variability in cognitive and memory skills. The current study aimed to characterize memory deficits that occur in some affected individuals as a key step toward understanding the neurocognitive effects of dysregulated Ras signaling. Learning and memory skills were assessed among 29 children and adolescents with NS using the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, Second Edition. Performance across subdomains (verbal memory, visual memory and working memory) was compared, as well as the effect of response type (free recall vs. recognition). For immediate memory, children with NS performed significantly better on verbal memory tasks than on visual memory or working memory tasks. For delayed memory, verbal free recall tasks that depend heavily on prefrontal-hippocampal networks were more challenging than recognition tasks that rely on more distributed temporal cortical regions. Additionally, verbal information presented in context was more easily retained than that presented in a rote format. The current study contributes to our knowledge of the effects of dysregulated RAS-MAPK signaling on the brain and behavior. Continued research on neurocognitive skills in NS has the potential to generate a novel conceptualization of how learning disabilities can arise from altered molecular processes within a specific biological pathway.