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Rett Syndrome is a post-natal neurological disorder, which most often affects previously healthy little girls, around the age of 12-18 months.
Estimated to affect 1:10,000 people, Rett Syndrome is most often seen in girls and women because the gene which causes Rett is on the X chromosome. Girls and women have two X chromosomes whereas boys have one. The consequence of not having that ‘back up’ copy of the gene is devastating.
Although little boys with Rett can be very unwell, some do survive into their early childhood and beyond.
Most children and adults with Rett are unable to speak, walk, or use their hands. Breathing problems, feeding tubes, seizures, anxiety, gastrointestinal, and orthopaedic issues are common. Most people with Rett syndrome are severely disabled and will need round the clock care for life.
Research has shown that people with Rett Syndrome do not have brain damage. They know and understand much more than their bodies allow them to show – but they are locked in, trapped by a body that cannot obey signals from their brain.
Rett Syndrome is most often caused by mutations on a gene called MECP2 on the X chromosome. The gene makes a protein which everyone needs for their brains to function properly, but people with Rett do not have enough of this protein.
In 2007, researchers at Edinburgh University proved that a cure for Rett is possible. The scientists did this by using genetic engineering to replace the missing protein in a mouse model. These experiments showed that when the protein is replaced at the right level, the symptoms of Rett go away.
Gene therapy is one way that this problem can be corrected. Thanks in part to research funded by Reverse Rett, Rett syndrome gene therapy clinical trials are now underway.
If your child has just been diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, or your doctor has recommended testing for Rett, you may have many questions. Find out more about how the condition is diagnosed and the answers to some common questions.
There are many symptoms of Rett Syndrome. Some signs appear in the first 6-18 months of the child’s life, but some appear between the ages of 1 and 4. Although not as common, boys can also be affected by the disease.
Rett syndrome is still a clinical diagnosis despite there also being a genetic test. This means that diagnosing Rett is still primarily done by a doctor looking at your child and making the diagnosis based on the symptoms which are present.