Sleep abnormalities in the synaptopathies—syngap1-related intellectual disability and phelan–mcdermid syndrome

Constance Smith-Hicks, Damien Wright, Aisling Kenny, Robert C. Stowe, Maria McCormack, Andrew C. Stanfield, J. Lloyd Holder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Neurodevelopmental disorders are frequently associated with sleep disturbances. One class of neurodevelopmental disorders, the genetic synaptopathies, is caused by mutations in genes encoding proteins found at the synapse. Mutations in these genes cause derangement of synapse development and function. We utilized a validated sleep instrument, Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) to examine the nature of sleep abnormalities occurring in individuals with two synaptopathies—Phelan–McDermid syndrome (PMD) (N = 47, male = 23, female = 24, age 1–46 years) and SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability (SYNGAP1-ID) (N = 64, male = 31, female = 33, age 1–64 years), when compared with unaffected siblings (N = 61, male = 25, female = 36, age 1–17 years). We found that both PMD and SYNGAP1-ID have significant sleep abnormalities with SYNGAP1-ID having greater severity of sleep disturbance than PMD. In addition, sleep disturbances were more severe for PMD in individuals 11 years and older compared with those less than 11 years old. Individuals with either disorder were more likely to use sleep aids than unaffected siblings. In conclusion, sleep disturbances are a significant phenotype in the synaptopathies PMD and SYNGAP1-ID. Improved sleep is a viable endpoint for future clinical trials for these neurodevelopmental disorders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1229
JournalBrain Sciences
Volume11
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2021

Keywords

  • Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire
  • Phelan–Mcdermid syndrome
  • Polysomnography
  • SYNGAP1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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