Apparently Balanced Chromosomal Translocation/ Next-generation Sequencing/ Intellectual Disability...
Intellectual DisabilityCongenital AbnormalitiesApparently balanced chromosomal rearrangement (ABCR) associated with an abnormal phenotype is a rare but problematic event. It occurs in 6% of de novo reciprocal translocations and 9% of de novo inversions. Abnormal phenotype, including intellectual disability and / or multiple congenital anomalies (ID/MCA) may be explained either by associated cryptic genomic imbalances detectable by array-CGH or by gene disruption at the breakpoint. However, breakpoint cloning using conventional methods (i.e., fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), Southern blot) is often laborious and time consuming and cannot be performed routinely. Without complete investigation of these rearrangements, genetic counseling is a real challenge. Recently, the investigators and others showed that Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is a powerful and rapid technique to characterize ABCR breakpoints at the molecular level. The ANI project (ABCR NGS ID) aims at characterizing at the molecular level ABCR in 55 patients presenting with intellectual disability and/or multiple congenital anomalies (ID/MCA) using NGS. The investigators make the hypothesis that ABCR account for the patient phenotype, either by gene disruption or position effect, since genomic imbalance would have been previously excluded by array-Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH). The ANI project is a 3-year-long study that will be conducted by a consortium of 21 partners, including 19 french hospital cytogenetics laboratories, a research team (TIGER), and a cellular biotechnology center. Patients will be recruited by each Cytogenetics laboratory. ABCR breakpoints will be molecularly characterized by NGS and a first bio-informatics analysis. The results will be verified by amplification of junction fragments by polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by Sanger sequencing, allowing the localization of breakpoints at the base-pair level. In some complex cases, FISH experiment will be necessary to clarify the results. A second bio-informatics analysis will then determine breakpoints' characteristics (sequence, repeated elements, gene and regulatory elements). Finally, for each breakpoint, gene expression studies will be performed including the gene disrupted by the breakpoint and two neighboring genes. All these data, together with those already available in the literature and databases will be integrated to determine if the gene could account for the patient's phenotype, allowing an appropriate genetic counseling. This project will identify new candidate genes involved in ID and developmental anomalies. It will also contribute to the development and evaluation of NGS as a diagnostic tool for ABCR and ID/MCA. It will also allow unraveling mechanisms and functional consequences of ABCR, in particular in term of position effect. In conclusion, the ANI project will contribute to the improvement of diagnostic management and genetic counseling of patients with ID/MCA and ABCR. It will also contribute to the understanding of ABCR physiopathology and to the unraveling of pathway involved in development and brain function, thus improving genetic counseling for ID/MCA patients in general.
Support Staff-client Interactions With Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Intellectual DisabilityThis exploratory and observational study focuses on adults with an intellectual disability (ID) and their support workers. Two groups of clients are observed: clients using Key Word Signing, and clients using aided Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Approximately half of adults with ID is estimated to experience communication difficulties. AAC supports them in their daily communication aiming at optimal participation in society. Current communication models, such as Participation Model (Beukelman & Mirenda, 2005) and International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO, 2001), regard both client-related and environmental factors as important elements of communication. A substantial part of the environmental factors is made up of the communication partners' characteristics. In daycare and residential services for adults with ID the support worker is an important communication partner .
Multi-Omics and IPSCs to Improve Diagnosis of Rare Intellectual Disabilities
Rare Intellectual DisabilitiesBackground Genetic factors play a major role in intellectual disability (ID) but the underlying cause is not determined in many cases. This proposal is the continuation of the previous interregional project HUGODIMS, the aim of which was to perform whole exome sequencing (WES) in 69 thoroughly selected simplex ID parent-child trios. Thanks to HUGODIMS consortium, the underlying genetic cause of ID was determined or highly suspected in 48 cases (69.5%) and 7 novel ID genes were identified. Hypothesis Investigators hypothesize that an approach combining genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and morphological analyses performed on induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural cells would improve diagnosis of ID. The current proposal is therefore a proof-of concept project aiming at assessing the relevance and effectiveness of this multi-omics approach. Aims and Methods Ten individuals with ID recruited through HUGODIMS, in whom WES have failed to identify pathogenic variants will be included. The workflow is the following: Whole genome sequencing (WGS) (Nantes) of these 10 negative trios. Bio-informatics analyses In 3 WGS negative cases, 3 positive controls bearing distinct mutations in CAMK2a (a novel ID gene identified thanks to HUGODIMS), and 3 healthy negative controls: Derivation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural progenitors (iPSC core facility at Nantes) Targeted and non-targeted metabolomics analyses performed on iPSC-derived neuronal cells (Angers) RNA sequencing performed on the 9 cell lines (Rennes) Morphological analyses of differentiated neuronal cell lines derived from 3 affected individuals and 3 positive controls bearing CMK2a mutations (Tours) Integration and validation of data from multi-omics and morphological approaches Expected results and impact Investigatrors expect that this approach combining multi-omics and iPSC will help to improve diagnosis and understanding of genetic ID of unknown cause
Prevention Among Young People With Intellectual Disability
Intellectual DisabilityAdolescent Development1 moreThis study aims to evaluate an intervention using the Toolkit "Children - what does it involve?" and the "Real-Care-Baby" (RCB) simulator among students with intellectual disability (ID), using a cluster randomized trial design with waiting-list control group.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Spectrum DisorderIntellectual DisabilityAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the most prevalent of the developmental disorders and their incidence is rising. However, the variability in the behavioral symptoms is large. In part for these reasons, the ASD clinical diagnosis is challenging and often is not made until 3-5 years of age. Thus, there remains an unmet need for a valid and reliable marker which would facilitate ASD diagnosis early in life, enable efficient study of ASD risk factors, and eventually serve as a useful marker to inform the development of effective therapies and assess treatment response in future clinical trials. The specific brain based marker that investigators are currently evaluating is brain plasticity (the changes that occur in your brain through experience). Investigators measure brain plasticity using noninvasive brain stimulation including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with brain imaging, EEG, and behavioral outcome measures. Their work to date demonstrates the potential utility of these techniques in higher-functioning adolescents and adults with ASD, and pilot data support the feasibility and safety of applying the same measures to children and lower functioning individuals. In this study, investigators will evaluate the validity of this marker in low- and high-functioning adults with ASD, in low- and high-functioning children with ASD, and assess the reliability of this marker.
European Alpha-Mannosidosis Participant
ImmunodeficiencySkeletal Abnormalities4 moreInternational, multicenter, observational, longitudinal monitoring study to investigate the prevalence of Alpha-Mannosidosis in participants at risk for Alpha-Mannosidosis.
Best Practices to Prevent COVID-19 Illness in Staff and People With Serious Mental Illness and Developmental...
Intellectual DisabilityDevelopmental Disability4 moreBest Practices to Prevent COVID-19 Illness in Staff and People With Serious Mental Illness and Developmental Disabilities in Congregate Living Settings is a research study aimed at developing, implementing, and evaluating a package of interventions specifically designed to reduce COVID-19 and other infectious-disease incidence, hospitalizations, and mortality among staff and adults with Serious Mental Illness and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in congregate-living settings.
Picture-based Computerised Assessment and Training of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Skills
Intellectual DisabilitiesThe proposed research aims to investigate whether people with intellectual disabilities are able to understand and apply the theoretical principles of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) regarding the interaction between events, beliefs and emotions. Two studies are designed to assess and train the ability to link events, beliefs and emotions. Study 1 pilots computer-based tasks to assess the ability to link events, beliefs and emotions as well as a computer-based training programme aimed to link events and emotions. Task and training stimuli will be presented by line drawings to investigate whether a picture-based approach can reduce the impact of verbal ability on task performance. Training effectiveness is evaluated compared to a no-training control task. Study 2 compares the line drawings-based approach of Study 1 to a photographic approach to investigate whether the use of photographs can increase training effectiveness and further reduce the impact of verbal ability. It is hypothesised that the high reality value of photographic task stimuli, as compared to line drawings, will have positive effects on the assessment and training of CBT skills. It is anticipated that the findings of this research will improve our ability to help people with intellectual disabilities receive CBT.
Effects of the MBHP on the Quality of Life of Family Members of People With Intellectual Disability...
Quality of LifeThe research aims to verify the effects of the Mindfulness Based Health Promotion (PSBM) program on the quality of life of mothers of person with intellectual disability. Method: A randomized, controlled study with pre-post intervention measures and a follow-up measurement will be performed after six months of the end of the intervention. Sample: It will be composed of mothers of the 209 attended with moderate intellectual disability, adolescents and adults of the Service of Socioeducation of the Association of Parents and Friends of the Exceptional (APAE) of São Paulo, excluding those who have any psychiatric problem in the acute phase and minors, or who have regular practice of mindfulness or meditation in the last 6 months.
The Additive Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT) to Conventional Weight Loss Intervention...
OverweightObesity1 moreIn this randomized case control study we will evaluate the additive effect of psychological intervention, i.e CBT-cognitive behavioral treatment in a multi-strategy weight loss program composed of physical activity intervention and nutritional programme.