Autistic behavior, FMR1 protein, and developmental trajectories in young males with fragile X syndrome

In the context of a longitudinal study, we assessed the relationship between ratings of autistic behavior, FMR1 protein expression (FMRP), and the developmental trajectories of 55 young males with fragile X syndrome. Autistic behavior, as measured by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, was not related to FMRP expression. However, autistic behavior was a significant predictor of both developmental status and developmental change. Boys with both autistic behavior and fragile X syndrome functioned at significantly lower levels of development and grew at significantly slower rates than those without autistic behavior. FMRP expression accounted for less variance in developmental level than did autistic behavior, and was not significantly related to slope (developmental change over time). No autistic behavior x FMRP interaction was found.