This book discusses in detail the genetic causes and implications, prevalence, physical characteristics, cognitive profiles, speech and language, medical complications, and behaviors of four major syndromes (Down, Williams, fragile X, and Prader-Willi) an

This remarkable publication focuses on the importance of genetics in mental retardation, investigating the extent to which molecular diagnostic capability and the understanding of genetic causes have improved over recent years. As a result, clinical evaluation and diagnostic laboratory practice are now undergoing an unprecedented period of change. In a single volume, a unique combination of key individuals and world-class clinical, diagnostic and research-based experts share specialized, state-of the-art knowledge in this field. The parents' perspective lies behind chapters dealing with issues such as: - Classification nomenclature - Well-known syndromes - How modern technologies have resulted in newly identified syndromes - How genome architecture can influence disease - Guidelines for clinical evaluation - Valuable database resources for clinical, diagnostic and research departments - Challenges involved in data interpretation and determining clinical relevance - Genetic overlaps with autism and schizophrenia - Processes of health service implementation Genetics of Mental Retardation is an invaluable resource for researchers and students with an active interest in the field. Furthermore, consultants and trainees in clinical genetics and pediatrics, and researchers working in clinical genetics laboratories will benefit from these reviews.

MANAGEMENT OF GENETIC SYNDROMES THE MOST RECENT UPDATE TO ONE OF THE MOST ESSENTIAL REFERENCES ON MEDICAL GENETICS Cassidy and Allanson’s Management of Genetic Syndromes, Fourth Edition is the latest version of a classic text in medical genetics. With newly covered disorders and cutting-edge, up-to-date information, this resource remains the most crucial reference on the management of genetic syndromes in the field of medical genetics for students, clinicians, caregivers, and researchers. The fourth edition includes current information on the identification of genetic syndromes (including newly developed diagnostic criteria), the genetic basis (including diagnostic testing), and the routine care and management for more than 60 genetic disorders. Written by experts, each chapter includes sections on: Incidence Diagnostic criteria Etiology, pathogenesis and genetics Diagnostic testing Differential diagnosis Manifestations and Management (by system) The book focuses on genetic syndromes, primarily those involving developmental disabilities and congenital defects. The chapter sections dealing with Manifestations and Management represents the centerpiece of each entry and is unmatched by other genetic syndrome references. Management of Genetic Syndromes is perfect for medical geneticists, genetic counselors, primary care physicians and all healthcare professionals seeking to stay current on the routine care and management of individuals with genetic disorders.

Advances in biobehavioural sciences are bringing important changes in the field of intellectual disabilities. Of particular interest is the description of particular behavioural phenotypes related to but distinct from genotypes, and the extent to which they are specific. In this text, more than 20 particular genetic syndromes with marked levels of intellectual disability are identified and described from a variety of points of view, including cognitive, language, behavioural, adaptive and social and community inclusion aspects. Readers should better understand genetic intellectual disabilities and how they affect individual behaviours. Researchers and practitioners, including mental health professionals, speech-language therapists, special educators and social workers, should learn considerably more about actively researched syndromes such as Down, Williams, Fragile-X, Prader-Willi, Angelman, Rett, 5-p (Cri-du-chat), Noonan and several others, and obtain the evidence-based information they need to improve developmental, educational, occupational and residential situations, favouring inclusion for the people with intellectual disability syndromes.

Recent advances in neuroscience and genetics have greatly expanded our understanding of the brain and of the etiological factors involved in developmental delay and mental retardation. At the same time, the human genome project has yielded a wealth of information on DNA sequencing, regulation of gene expression, epigenetics, and functional aspects of the genome, which newly propels investigation into the pathogenesis of mental retardation. This book makes readily available current knowledge on the subject and applies it to clinical medicine, providing information essential to neurologists, geneticists, physicians and pediatricians as they search for the causes of mental handicap in their patients. Introductory chapters cover normal and abnormal brain structure, neurogenesis, neuronal proliferation, and signal transduction. Latter chapters delve into discussions of both the environmental factors that may lead to neurocognitive deficits and the cytogenetic, biochemical and molecular defects specifically associated with mental retardation. One chapter reviews gene involvement in non-syndromic mental retardation, autism, and language deficits, as well as multifactorial and genetically complex inheritance. The text concludes with a clinically practical discussion of carrier detection, presymptomatic diagnosis, and treatment of various genetic diseases through enzyme therapy, substrate deprivation, and the use of hemapoietic stem cells.

A timely distillation of current thinking on the presentation of behavioural disorders and their origins.

Published in 2005: Genetics of Developmental Disabilities is written as a textbook and resource for physicians, basic and clinical researchers, and other professionals, students, and health care providers. Those interested in the causes and scientific understanding of developmental disabilities.