Angelman Syndrome
Description of Angelman Syndrome[edit | edit source]
Complex genetic disorder affecting the nervous system. It is characterized by severe learning difficulties, motor dysfunction, seizure disorder, and often a happy, sociable disposition.
Prevalence[edit | edit source]
Affects approximately 1 in 15,000 individuals (Margolis et al)
Epidemiology[edit | edit source]
- Onset is usually before the age of 3 (Margolis)
- Caused by 4 molecular mechanisms (Kishino)
- Maternal deletions of chromosome 15q11-q13 (70-80%)
- Intragenic mutation in maternally inherited UBE3A which is found in chromosome 15q11-q13 (10-20%)
- Paternal uniparental disomy (UPD) in chromosome 15q11-q13 (3-5%)
- Imprinting defects in chromosome 15q11-q13 which change the expression of UBE3A (3-5%)
- Those with deletion have more severe disease and those with UPD and imprinting have less severe defects (Margolis)
Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
- Observable Presentation
- Facial features - thin upper lip, wide spaced teeth
- Scoliosis (20% of children, 50% adults) (reference from guidelines)
- Motor Presentation
- Motor dysfunction - tremors, jerkiness, ataxia
- Behavioural Presentation
- Developmental delay is normally seen within the first year of life
- most patients lack speech completely but those mildly affected can speak a few words
- Severe intellectual disability
- Hyperactivity and short attention span
- Mouthing of objects
- Happy demeanor with increased laughter, and often an attraction to water
- Developmental delay is normally seen within the first year of life
- Additional Comorbidities that present
- Seizures (60% of individuals)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD),
- Digestive system complications
- constipation
- gastroesophageal reflux
Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]
Patients with Angelman Syndrome are often diagnosed within their first year of life. Diagnosis should be confirmed with genetic testing to determine DNA methylation (Margolis)
Differential Diagnosis
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Outcome Measures
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Physiotherapy Management and Treatment
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Additional Treatment
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Clinical Guidelines for Angelman Syndrome
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Additional Resources
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