Abstract
The syndrome of brain atrophy in girls described by Andreas Rett in 1966 [Rett, Wien
Klin Wochenschr, 1966;116:723–726] was brought to the attention of the English-speaking
world by Hagberg et al. in 1983 [Hagberg et al., Ann Neurol, 1983;14:471–479]. Four
clinical stages after the age of 6 months were described in classical cases of Rett
syndrome (RS), namely early onset stagnation at 6 months to 11/2 years, the rapid destructive stage at 1–3 years, the pseudo-stationary stage from
pre-school to school years, and the late motor deterioration stage at 15–30 or more
years. The rapid destructive stage causes profound dementia with loss of speech and
hand skills, stereotypic movements, ataxia, apraxia, irregular breathing with hyperventilation
while awake, and frequently seizures. Most cases are isolated in their families, apart
from identical twins. However, linkage studies in rare familial cases suggested a
critical region at Xq28. In 1999 American investigators found several mutations in
the X-linked gene MECP2 encoding Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 in a proportion of Rett patients. The protein
MeCP2 can bind methylated DNA and when mutated may interfere with transcriptional
silencing of other genes and result in abnormal chromatin assembly. Many different
mutations of the protein are being studied in humans and in mice. Neuropathological
studies have shown decreased brain growth and decreased size of individual neurons,
with thinned dendrites in some cortical layers, and abnormalities in substantia nigra,
suggestive of deficient synaptogenic development, probably starting before birth.
Electrophysiology demonstrates progressively abnormal electroencephalograms (EEG)
in the first three stages of the syndrome, with some subsequent improvement and occurrence
of pseudoseizures. Neurometabolic factors are discussed in detail, particularly reduced
levels of dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)
in brain, also estimation of nerve growth factors, endorphin, substance P, glutamate
and other amino acids and their receptor levels. Autonomic dysfunction is described,
particularly reduced vagal and overactive sympathetic activity. Neuro-imaging may
be required for further investigation, as shown in the differential diagnosis.
Keywords
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© 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
