What is associated with the fragile X syndrome?

Abstract

In addition to mental retardation (MR), fragile X[fra(X)] syndrome has been associated with a variety of other disorders. Despite earlier reports, it has been shown that MR fra(X) males are at no greater risk for autism than is any MR male. Therefore, studies in which fra(X) has been associated with behavioral, developmental, and psychopathological disabilities were examined to determine whether fra(X) individuals were at an increased risk for these dysfunctions as well. Psychiatric disorders among fra(X) individuals were found not to occur more frequently than in other individuals with cognitive deficits. It was also observed that hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder among MR fra(X) individuals do not occur more frequently than in other MR individuals. Pooled results from studies of cognitive profiles used to characterize fra(X) phenotypes also indicated that there are no consistent patterns in either males or females. Plausible explanations for a variable phenotype include allelic heterogeneity and pleitropy.