Brief Report: Autism Symptoms in Infants with Fragile X Syndrome.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common known genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although 50-75 % of children with FXS meet ASD criteria, no studies have compared ASD symptoms in infants with FXS versus other high risk groups, such as siblings of children with ASD (ASIBs). Using the Autism Observation Scale for Infants, our findings indicate that 53 % of 12-month infants with FXS fall in the "at risk" category compared to 17 and 6 % for age-matched ASIBs and controls, respectively.

Infant Development in Fragile X Syndrome: Cross-Syndrome Comparisons.

This study examined the developmental profile of male infants with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and its divergence from typical development and development of infants at high risk for autism associated with familial recurrence (ASIBs). Participants included 174 boys ranging in age from 5 to 28 months. Cross-sectional profiles on the Mullen Scales of Early Learning indicated infants with FXS could be differentiated from typically developing infants and ASIBs by 6 months of age.

Trajectory and Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Disorders in Mothers With the FMR1 Premutation.

Background: Although the FMR1 premutation is associated with elevated prevalence of psychiatric disorders, the longitudinal course of symptoms has not been established. The present study followed a sample of women with the FMR1 premutation to characterize the incidence, stability, and predictors of mood and anxiety disorders across a 3-year period.

Methods: Participants included 83 women with the FMR1 premutation (mean age = 38.

Language development in infants and toddlers with fragile X syndrome: change over time and the role of attention.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is associated with significant language and communication delays, as well as problems with attention. This study investigated early language abilities in infants and toddlers with FXS (n  =  13) and considered visual attention as a predictor of those skills. We found that language abilities increased over the study period of 9 to 24 months, with moderate correlations among language assessments.

The Development of Adaptive Behavior in Toddlers and Preschoolers with Fragile X versus Autism.

Although there is extensive research in the early detection of autism, no study has compared the adaptive behavior of young children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and children with autism across ages. We investigated the cross-sectional development of adaptive behavior in children with FXS and children with autism between 18 and 83 months of age. Analyses revealed a significant relationship between age and adaptive behavior standard scores for children with FXS, with decreased performance across ages.

Cardiovascular and behavioral response to auditory stimuli in boys with fragile X syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether young boys with fragile X syndrome (FXS) exhibit abnormal physiological or behavioral responses to a moderately intense auditory stimulus, as heightened sensory reactivity is believed to contribute to problem behaviors in this population.

Methods: We examined the physiological basis, via heart activity, of auditory startle in young boys with FXS (n = 22) compared with typically developing controls (n = 27). Associations with mental age, behavioral reactivity, and chronological age were examined.