title: Does attention constrain developmental trajectories in fragile x syndrome? A 3-year prospective longitudinal study.
abstract: Basic attentional processes and their impact on developmental trajectories in fragile X syndrome were assessed in a 3-year prospective study. Although fragile X syndrome is a monogenic X-linked disorder, there is striking variability in outcomes even in young boys with the condition. Attention is a key factor constraining interactions with the environment, so it is a perfect candidate to predict trajectories in cognitive and behavioral outcomes. In this study, 48 boys with fragile X syndrome were assessed 3 times over 24 months. Although nonverbal IQ declined, there were significant improvements in nonverbal growth scores and in cognitive attention. In contrast, behavioral difficulties (i.e., autistic symptomatology, hyperactivity-inattention) remained stable over this time frame. Attentional markers in the visual and auditory modalities predicted intellectual abilities and classroom behavior, whereas auditory markers alone predicted autistic symptomatology.
authors.affiliation: Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cornish
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Longhi
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karmiloff-Smith
authors.forename: Gaia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scerif
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009633:Nonverbal Communication / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies