title: Evidence of depressive symptoms in fragile-X syndrome premutated females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fragile-X premutation carriers have been considered asymptomatic patients for a long time. It has been, however, demonstrated that the premutation is also involved in clinical pathology, such as premature ovarian failure, the fragile-X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, and a distinct neurocognitive and behavioral phenotype, which includes psychiatric problems. To define better this neuropsychiatric phenotype associated with premutation carriers and to minimize a possible environmental effect, we examined psychiatric and depressive symptoms in 34 FMR1 premutation carrier mothers of children with fragile-X syndrome in comparison with two control groups (39 mothers with a non-fragile-X syndrome mentally retarded child and 39 mothers from the general population).
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants completed both questionnaires, which assess psychiatric symptoms (the symptom checklist-90-revised) and depression (Beck Depression Inventory).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups of mothers with a mentally retarded child showed greater susceptibility to psychological problems than the control group without a mentally retarded child, but FMR1 premutated mothers evidenced a higher tendency to depression. These results suggest that, despite the stress of caring for a child with mental retardation, the premutation by itself could be responsible for some psychiatric traits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings reinforce the hypothesis of a pathogenic gene-brain-behavior mechanism in the premutation range.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Department, Hospital Clínic and IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Laia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Revenga
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Madrigal
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alegret
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milà
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales