Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Observations on hand movements in Rett syndrome: a pilot study

M Elian1, N de M Rudolf

  • 1Department of Neurology & Neurophysiology, Central Middlesex Hospital, London, England.

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|September 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Rett Syndrome: some Behavioural Aspects and an Overview.

Behavioural neurology·2014
Same author

HLA-DRB1 and multiple sclerosis in Malta.

Neurology·2007
Same author

Multiple sclerosis in Malta in 1999: an update.

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2002
Same author

Age at immigration to England of Asian and Caribbean immigrants and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·1998
Same author

Bacillus epilepticus: treatment of epilepsy by colectomy and vaccines.

Neurology·1994
Same author

Motor neuron disease and multiple sclerosis mortality in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa compared with England and Wales.

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·1993
Same journal

Editorial.

Acta neurologica Scandinavica·2022
Same journal

Advances in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

Acta neurologica Scandinavica·2022
Same journal

Non-convulsive seizures and non-convulsive status epilepticus in neuro-intensive care unit.

Acta neurologica Scandinavica·2022
Same journal

Positron emission tomography in autoimmune encephalitis: Clinical implications and future directions.

Acta neurologica Scandinavica·2022
Same journal

Seizure detection based on wearable devices: A review of device, mechanism, and algorithm.

Acta neurologica Scandinavica·2022
Same journal

Walking confidence and perceived locomotion ability explain participation after stroke: A cross-sectional experimental study.

Acta neurologica Scandinavica·2022
See all related articles

Rett syndrome hand movements are often asymmetrical and not midline, challenging previous assumptions. These movements, along with erratic breathing, may serve as a communication method for affected girls.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Developmental Disorders
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Rett syndrome is characterized by stereotyped hand movements, often assumed to be symmetrical and midline.
  • These movements have been thought to impede purposeful hand use.
  • The relationship between hand movements and respiration in Rett syndrome has not been previously investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the characteristics of hand stereotypy in Rett syndrome.
  • To investigate the relationship between hand movements and respiration in girls with Rett syndrome.
  • To determine if hand movements prevent purposeful hand use.

Main Methods:

  • Telephone interviews were conducted with parents of 25 girls diagnosed with Rett syndrome and disorganized breathing.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Data on hand movement patterns and their relationship with respiration were collected.
  • Main Results:

    • Hand movements were asymmetrical in 44% of the girls studied.
    • Girls with unilateral hand movements utilized the same hand for purposeful tasks.
    • In 72% of girls, hand movement intensity correlated with respiratory patterns (directly or inversely).
    • Hand movements appeared to fluctuate with emotional or mental state changes.

    Conclusions:

    • Contrary to prior assumptions, hand stereotypy in nearly half of Rett syndrome cases is asymmetrical and non-midline.
    • Hand movements do not inherently prevent purposeful hand use in Rett syndrome.
    • Hand movements and erratic breathing may function as a communication system for individuals with Rett syndrome.