title: Autonomic regulation in fragile X syndrome.
abstract: Autonomic reactivity was studied in individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS), a genetic disorder partially characterized by abnormal social behavior. Relative to age-matched controls, the FXS group had faster baseline heart rate and lower amplitude respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). In contrast to the typically developing controls, there was a decrease in RSA with age within the FXS group. Moreover, within the FXS group heart rate did not slow with age. The FXS group also responded with an atypical increase in RSA to the social challenge, while the control group reduced RSA. In a subset of the FXS group, the autonomic profile did not change following 2 months and 1 year of lithium treatment. The observed indices of atypical autonomic regulation, consistent with the Polyvagal Theory, may contribute to the deficits in social behavior and social communication observed in FXS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Brain-Body Center (MC 912), University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.
authors.forename: Keri J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Heilman
authors.forename: Emily R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Harden
authors.forename: Danielle M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Zageris
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berry-Kravis
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Porges
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001146:Arrhythmia, Sinus / Q000503:physiopathology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012919:Social Behavior; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018020:Lithium Compounds