Dup15q

Dup15q syndrome is the common name for chromosome 15q11.2-q13.1 duplication syndrome. This is a neurodevelopmental disorder, caused by the partial duplication of Chromosome 15, that confers a strong risk for autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. It is the most common genetic cause of autism, accounting for approximately 1-3% of cases. Dup15q syndrome includes both interstitial duplications and isodicentric duplications (i.e., Idic15) of 15q11.2-13.1.

Important genes likely involved in the etiology of Dup15q syndrome include UBE3A, GABRA5, GABRB3, and GABRG3. UBE3A is a ubiquitin-protein ligase that is involved in targeting proteins for degradation and plays an important role in synapse function. GABRA5, GABRB3, and GABRG3 are gamma aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) receptor subunit genes and are likely important in Dup15q syndrome given the established role of GABA in the etiologies of autism and epilepsy.

Genetic testing methods such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and chromosomal microarray are available for diagnosing Dup15q syndrome and similar genetic disorders.

With the increase in genetic testing availability, more often duplications outside of the 15q11.2-13.1 region are being diagnosed. The global chromosome 15q11.2-13.1 duplication syndrome specific groups only provide medical information and research for chromosome 15q11.2-13.1 duplication syndrome and not the outlying 15q duplications.

Individuals with Dup15q syndrome are at high risk for epilepsy, autism, and intellectual disability. Motor impairments are very common in individuals with the disorder. Rates of epilepsy in children with isodicentric duplications are higher than in children with interstitial duplications. A majority of patients with either duplication type (isodicentric or interstitial) have a history of gastrointestinal problems.

A study at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) of 13 children with Dup15q syndrome and 13 children with nonsyndromic ASD (i.e., autism not caused by a known genetic disorder) found that, compared to children with nonsyndromic autism, children with Dup15q had significantly lower autism severity as measured by the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) (all children in the study met diagnostic criteria for ASD). However, children with Dup15q syndrome had significantly greater motor impairment and impairment of daily living skills than children in the nonsyndromic ASD group. Within the Dup15q syndrome cohort, children with epilepsy had greater cognitive impairment.

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