Background: Individuals with genetic neurodevelopmental disorders (GNDs) or intellectual disability (ID) are often affected by complex neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Targeted treatments are increasingly available, but due to the heterogeneity of these patient populations, choosing a key outcome and corresponding outcome measurement instrument remains challenging. Objectives: The aim of this scoping review was to describe the research on outcomes and instruments used in clinical trials in GNDs and ID. Eligibility criteria: Clinical trials in individuals with GNDs and ID for any intervention over the past 10 years were included in the review. Sources of evidence: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched. Titles and abstracts were independently screened for eligibility with a subsample of 10% double-screening for interrater reliability. Data from full texts were independently reviewed. Discrepancies were discussed until consensus was reached. Charting methods: Information was recorded on patient populations, interventions, designs, outcomes, measurement instruments, and type of reporter when applicable. Qualitative and descriptive analyses were performed. Results: We included 312 studies reporting 91 different outcomes, with cognitive function most frequently measured (28%). Various outcome measurement instruments ( n = 457) were used, with 288 in only a single clinical trial. There were 18 genetic condition-specific instruments and 16 measures were designed ad-hoc for one particular trial. Types of report included proxy-report (39%), self-report (22%), clinician-report (16%), observer-report (6%), self-assisted report (1%), or unknown (16%). Conclusion: This scoping review of current practice reveals a myriad of outcomes and outcome measurement instruments for clinical trials in GNDs and ID. This complicates generalization, evidence synthesis, and evaluation. It underlines the need for consensus on suitability, validity, and relevancy of instruments, ultimately resulting in a core outcome set. A series of steps is proposed to move from the myriad of measures to a more unified approach.
Abstract Background Advances in understanding the etiology of intellectual disability (ID) has led to insights in potential (targeted) treatments and personalized care. Implications of ID on health are often complex and require a multidisciplinary approach. The aim was to investigate the reporting of genetic diagnoses in multidisciplinary ID care and to identify associated clinical and demographic factors. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on a randomly selected sample of individuals (n = 380) of a large ID care organization in the Netherlands. Data on genetic etiology, including genetic testing and diagnoses, and clinical and demographic characteristics were collected from files held by multidisciplinary team members. Results Reports on genetic etiology were available in 40% of the study sample (n = 151), with a genetic diagnosis recorded in 34% (n = 51), which is 13% of the total sample. In those with reported genetic diagnoses, this was reported in 90% of medical, 39% of psychodiagnostic, and 75% of professional caregivers’ files. Older age, mild ID, and the legal representative not being a family member were associated with less reported information on genetic etiology. Conclusions This study revealed that genetic diagnoses were often not reported in ID care files. Recommendations were formulated to reduce delay in diagnosis, and enable personalized care for individuals with ID.
The Wilson and Jungner (W&J) and Andermann criteria are meant to help select diseases eligible for population-based screening. With the introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods for newborn screening (NBS), more inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs) can technically be included, and a revision of the criteria was attempted. This study aimed to formulate statements and investigate whether those statements could elaborate on the criterion of treatability for IMDs to decide on eligibility for NBS. An online Delphi study was started among a panel of Dutch IMD experts (EPs). EPs evaluated, amended, and approved statements on treatability that were subsequently applied to 10 IMDs. After two rounds of Delphi, consensus was reached on 10 statements. Application of these statements selected 5 out of 10 IMDs proposed for this study as eligible for NBS, including 3 IMDs in the current Dutch NBS. The statement: 'The expected benefit/burden ratio of early treatment is positive and results in a significant health outcome' contributed most to decision-making. Our Delphi study resulted in 10 statements that can help to decide on eligibility for inclusion in NBS based on treatability, also showing that other criteria could be handled in a comparable way. Validation of the statements is required before these can be applied as guidance to authorities.
BACKGROUND:Newborn screening (NBS) programmes identify a wide range of disease phenotypes, which raises the question whether early identification and treatment is beneficial for all. This study aims to answer this question for primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) taking into account that NBS for PCD identifies newborns with PCD and also until then undiagnosed mothers. METHODS:We investigated clinical, genetic (variants in SLC22A5 gene) and functional (carnitine transport activity in fibroblasts) characteristics of all referred individuals through NBS (newborns and mothers) and clinically diagnosed patients with PCD (not through NBS). Disease phenotype in newborns was predicted using data from PCD mothers and cases published in literature with identical SLC22A5 variants. RESULTS:PCD was confirmed in 19/131 referred newborns, 37/82 referred mothers and 5 clinically diagnosed patients. Severe symptoms were observed in all clinically diagnosed patients, 1 newborn and none of the mothers identified by NBS. PCD was classified as severe in all 5 clinically diagnosed patients, 3/19 newborns and 1/37 mothers; as benign in 8/19 newborns and 36/37 mothers and as unknown in 8/19 newborns. Carnitine transport activity completely separated severe phenotype from benign phenotype (median (range): 4.0% (3.5-5.0)] vs 26% (9.5-42.5), respectively). CONCLUSION:The majority of mothers and a significant proportion of newborns with PCD identified through NBS are likely to remain asymptomatic without early treatment. Conversely, a small proportion of newborns with predicted severe PCD could greatly benefit from early treatment. Genetic variants and carnitine transport activity can be used to distinguish between these groups.
Abstract Objective Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA (MPSIIIA) caused by recessive SGSH variants results in sulfamidase deficiency, leading to neurocognitive decline and death. No disease‐modifying therapy is available. The AAVance gene therapy trial investigates AAVrh.10 overexpressing human sulfamidase (LYS‐SAF302) delivered by intracerebral injection in children with MPSIIIA. Post‐treatment MRI monitoring revealed lesions around injection sites. Investigations were initiated in one patient to determine the cause. Methods Clinical and MRI details were reviewed. Stereotactic needle biopsies of a lesion were performed; blood and CSF were sampled. All samples were used for viral studies. Immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and transcriptome analysis were performed on brain tissue of the patient and various controls. Results MRI revealed focal lesions around injection sites with onset from 3 months after therapy, progression until 7 months post therapy with subsequent stabilization and some regression. The patient had transient slight neurological signs and is following near‐normal development. No evidence of viral or immunological/inflammatory cause was found. Immunohistochemistry showed immature oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, oligodendrocyte apoptosis, strong intracellular and extracellular sulfamidase expression and hardly detectable intracellular or extracellular heparan sulfate. No activation of the unfolded protein response was found. Interpretation Results suggest that intracerebral gene therapy with local sulfamidase overexpression leads to dysfunction of transduced cells close to injection sites, with extracellular spilling of lysosomal enzymes. This alters extracellular matrix composition, depletes heparan sulfate, impairs astrocyte and oligodendrocyte function, and causes cystic white matter degeneration at the site of highest gene expression. The AAVance trial results will reveal the potential benefit–risk ratio of this therapy.
A broad spectrum of signs and symptoms has been attributed to primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) since its first description in 1973. Advances in diagnostic procedures have improved diagnostic accuracy and the introduction of PCD in newborn screening (NBS) programs has led to the identification of an increasing number of PCD patients, including mothers of screened newborns, who may show a different phenotype compared to clinically diagnosed patients. To elucidate the spectrum of signs and symptoms in PCD patients, we performed a structured literature review. Using a case-by-case approach, clinical characteristics, diagnostic data, and mode of patient identification were recorded. Signs and symptoms were categorized by organ involvement. In total, 166 articles were included, reporting data on 757 individual patients. In almost 20% (N = 136) of the cases, the diagnosis was based solely on low carnitine concentration which we considered an uncertain diagnosis of PCD. The remaining 621 cases had a diagnosis based on genetic and/or functional (ie, carnitine transporter activity) test results. In these 621 cases, cardiac symptoms (predominantly cardiomyopathy) were the most prevalent (23.8%). Neurological (7.1%), hepatic (8.4%), and metabolic (9.2%) symptoms occurred mainly in early childhood. Adult onset of symptoms occurred in 16 of 194 adult patients, of whom 6 (3.1%) patients suffered a severe event without any preceding symptom (five cardiac events and one coma). In conclusion, symptoms in PCD predominantly develop in early childhood. Most newborns and mothers of newborns detected through NBS remain asymptomatic. However, though rarely, severe complications do occur in both groups.
Background Parents of children with a rare progressive life-limiting illness are at risk for parental posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies on the treatment of parental PTSD with eye movement and desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in pediatric practice are lacking. Therefore this study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of time-limited EMDR therapy in reducing PTSD symptoms, comorbid psychological symptoms, distress, and parental stress. Methods Mono-center randomized clinical trial conducted between February 2020 and April 2021. Fourteen parents ( N = 7 mothers, N = 7 fathers) of mucopolysaccharidosis type III patients reporting PTSD symptoms on a (sub)clinical level were assigned to EMDR or a wait-list control condition followed by EMDR. Four sessions of EMDR (each 90 min) divided over two half-days were offered. Measurements were conducted at baseline, post-treatment/post-waitlist, and 3-months post-treatment. The primary outcome was PTSD symptom severity (PTSD Check List for DSM-5). Secondary outcomes included comorbid psychological symptoms (Brief Symptom Inventory), distress (Distress Thermometer for Parents) and parenting stress (Parenting Stress Questionnaire). Between-group comparisons pre-to-post treatment ( N = 7 EMDR vs. N = 7 wait-list) and within-group comparisons (EMDR, N = 14) from pre-to-post treatment and from pre-treatment to 3-months follow-up were carried out per intent-to-treat linear mixed model analyses. Results Compared to wait-list, EMDR resulted in a significant reduction on total PTSD symptom severity ( d = 1.78) and on comorbid psychological symptoms, distress and parenting stress ( d = .63–1.83). Within-group comparisons showed a significant effect on all outcomes at post-treatment ( d = 1.04–2.21) and at 3-months follow-up ( d = .96–2.30) compared to baseline. EMDR was well-tolerated, associated with a low drop-out rate, a high therapy adherence and no adverse events. Conclusion Time-limited EMDR reduces PTSD symptoms, psychological comorbidity, distress and parenting stress in parents of children with a rare progressive life-limiting illness. This treatment was feasible for these overburdened parents. Recurrent monitoring of PTSD symptoms, and, if needed, offering this time-limited type of trauma treatment should be introduced in everyday pediatric practice. Trial registration Netherlands Trial Register, NL8496. Registered 01-04-2020, https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NL8496 .
Background: Seventy-five percent of patients with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy due to a-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (PDE-ALDH7A1) suffer intellectual developmental disability despite pyridoxine treatment. Adjunct lysine reduction therapies (LRT), aimed at lowering putative neurotoxic metabolites, are associated with improved cognitive outcomes. However, possibly due to timing of treatment, not all patients have normal intellectual function. Methods: This retrospective, multi-center cohort study evaluated the effect of timing of pyridoxine monotherapy and pyridoxine with adjunct LRT on neurodevelopmental outcome. Patients with confirmed PDE-ALDH7A1 with at least one sibling with PDE-ALDH7A1 and a difference in age at treatment initiation were eligible and identified via the international PDE registry, resulting in thirty-seven patients of 18 families. Treatment regimen was pyridoxine monotherapy in ten families and pyridoxine with adjunct LRT in the other eight. Primary endpoints were standardized and clinically assessed neurodevelopmental outcomes. Clinical neurodevelopmental status was subjectively assessed over seven domains: overall neurodevelopment, speech/language, cognition, fine and gross motor skills, activities of daily living and behavioral/psychiatric abnormalities. Results: The majority of early treated siblings on pyridoxine monotherapy performed better than their late treated siblings on the clinically assessed domain of fine motor skills. For siblings on pyridoxine and adjunct LRT, the majority of early treated siblings performed better on clinically assessed overall neurodevelopment, cognition, and behavior/psychiatry. Fourteen percent of the total cohort was assessed as normal on all domains. Conclusion: Early treatment with pyridoxine and adjunct LRT may be beneficial for neurodevelopmental outcome. When evaluating a more extensive neurodevelopmental assessment, the actual impairment rate may be higher than the 75% reported in literature. Take- home message: Early initiation of lysine reduction therapies adjunct to pyridoxine treatment in patients with PDE-ALDH7A1 may result in an improved neurodevelopmental outcome. (C) 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.
Background: Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) slows disease progression of Fabry disease (FD), especially when initiated before the onset of irreversible organ damage. However, with the clinically asymptomatic progression of renal, cardiac and cerebral disease manifestations spanning decades, optimal timing of ERT initiation remains unclear. Methods: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, seven male FD patients with a classical disease phenotype (cFD) who started treatment with agalsidase-beta in childhood were evaluated after 10 years of treatment (median age at evaluation 24 years, range 14-26). Cardiac imaging (echocardiography and MRI), electrophysiological and biochemical data of these patients were compared to those of untreated male cFD patients (n = 23, median age 22 years, range 13-27). Results: Albuminuria was less common and less severe in treated patients (albumin to creatinine ratio, ACR 0-8.8 mg/mmol, median 0.4) compared to untreated patients (ACR 0-248 mg/mmol, median 3.7, p = 0.02). The treated group had a lower left ventricular mass, measured using echocardiography (median 80 g/m2 versus 94 g/m2, p = 0.02) and MRI (median 53 g/m2 versus 68 g/m2, p = 0.02). Myocardial fibrosis was absent in all included patients. eGFR was normal in all treated patients whereas 7/23 (30%) of untreated patients had abnormal eGFR. Cerebral manifestations did not differ. Conclusions: Start of treatment with ERT before age 16, in male cFD patients is associated with reduced occurrence of renal and cardiac manifestations of FD, as assessed by intermediate endpoints. Confirmation that this approach delays or even prevents renal failure and cardiac events requires another decade of follow-up. (c) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA (MPS IIIA, also known as Sanfilippo syndrome) is a rare genetic lysosomal storage disease characterized by early and progressive neurodegeneration resulting in a rapid decline in cognitive function affecting speech and language, adaptive behavior, and motor skills. We carried out a prospective observational study to assess the natural history of patients with MPS IIIA, using both standardized tests and patientcentric measures to determine the course of disease progression over a 2-year period. A cohort of 23 patients (7 girls, 16 boys; mean age 28-105 months at baseline) with a confirmed diagnosis of MPS IIIA were assessed and followed up at intervals of 3-6 months; cognitive function was measured using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd edition (BSID-III) to derive cognitive development quotients (DQ). Daily living, speech/ language development and motor skills were measured using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS-II). Sleep-wake patterns, behavior and quality-of-life questionnaires were also reported at each visit using parent/ caregiver reported outcome tools. All patients had early onset severe MPS IIIA, were diagnosed before 74 months of age, and had cognitive scores below normal developmental levels at baseline. Patients less than 40 months of age at baseline were more likely to continue developing new skills over the first 6-12 months of follow-up. There was a high variability in cognitive developmental age (DA) in patients between 40 and 70 months of age; twothirds of these patients already had profound cognitive decline, with a DA <= 10 months. The highest cognitive DA achieved in the full study cohort was 34 months. Post hoc, patients were divided into two groups based on baseline cognitive DQ (DQ >= 50 or <50). Cognitive DQ decreased linearly over time, with a decrease from baseline of 30.1 and 9.0 points in patients with cognitive DQ >= 50 at baseline and cognitive DQ <50 at baseline, respectively. Over the 2-year study, VABS-II language scores declined progressively. Motor skills, including walking, declined over time, although significantly later than cognitive decline. No clear pattern of sleep disturbance was observed, but night waking was common in younger patients. Pain scores, as measured on the quality-of-life questionnaire, increased over the study period. The findings of this study strengthen the natural history data on cognitive decline in MPS IIIA and importantly provide additional data on endpoints, validated by the patient community as important to treat, that may form the basis of a multidomain endpoint capturing the disease complexity. (c) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Background MPS IIIA is a rare, degenerative pediatric genetic disease characterized by symptoms impacting cognition, mobility and behavior; the mean age of death is around 15 years of age. Currently, there are no approved therapies for MPS IIIA. Methods A two-year, multi-center, prospective, descriptive cohort study was conducted to document the natural history course of MPS IIIA. In the context of this study, semi-structured interviews were performed with parents of children at study entry and one year later. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis methods to identity concepts of interest to children and parents, identify what factors impacted parents' burden the most, and develop qualitatively-derived disease severity stages. Children were sorted into these stages according to the symptoms their parents described at the entry interview. This sorting was compared quantitatively to the sorting of children at baseline according to the child's calendar age and their BSID development quotient (DQ). Results 22 parents in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK were interviewed. Children ranged in age from 28 to 105 months (mean 61.4 months). The conceptual models for children's symptoms and impacts and parents' impacts provided a detailed and comprehensive picture of what it is like for children of various ages and their parents to live with MPS IIIA. Four factors were identified as mediating the burden perceived by parents: state support, family support, time since diagnosis, and parent coping strategy. Four disease stages were developed, accounting for both the presence and the severity of MPS IIIA symptoms. The comparison of children's sorting into these stages with the BSID DQ and the child's calendar age showed strong statistical associations. Conclusions The findings of this qualitative research embedded in a natural history study add to the current understanding of MPS IIIA as a complex disease that impacts every aspect of the lives of children and their families. This study demonstrates the unique potential of mixed methods research in rare diseases to address some of the current limitations of more traditional quantitative approaches by providing an individualized, detailed understanding of the patient experience.
Long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHADD) is included in many newborn screening (NBS) programs. Acylcarnitine-based NBS for LCHADD not only identifies LCHADD, but also the other deficiencies of the mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP), a multi-enzyme complex involved in long-chain fatty acid beta-oxidation. Besides LCHAD, MTP harbors two additional enzyme activities: long-chain enoyl-CoA hydratase (LCEH) and long-chain ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (LCKAT). Deficiency of one or more MTP activities causes generalized MTP deficiency (MTPD), LCHADD, LCEH deficiency (not yet reported), or LCKAT deficiency (LCKATD). To gain insight in the outcomes of MTP-deficient patients diagnosed after the introduction of NBS for LCHADD in the Netherlands, a retrospective evaluation of genetic, biochemical, and clinical characteristics of MTP-deficient patients, identified since 2007, was carried out. Thirteen patients were identified: seven with LCHADD, five with MTPD, and one with LCKATD. All LCHADD patients (one missed by NBS, clinical diagnosis) and one MTPD patient (clinical diagnosis) were alive. Four MTPD patients and one LCKATD patient developed cardiomyopathy and died within 1 month and 13 months of life, respectively. Surviving patients did not develop symptomatic hypoglycemia, but experienced reversible cardiomyopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Five LCHADD patients developed subclinical neuropathy and/or retinopathy. In conclusion, patient outcomes were highly variable, stressing the need for accurate classification of and discrimination between the MTP deficiencies to improve insight in the yield of NBS for LCHADD. NBS allowed the prevention of symptomatic hypoglycemia, but current treatment options failed to treat cardiomyopathy and prevent long-term complications. Moreover, milder patients, who might benefit from NBS, were missed due to normal acylcarnitine profiles.
Background and ObjectivesPyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE-ALDH7A1) is a developmental epileptic encephalopathy characterized by seizure improvement after pyridoxine supplementation. Adjunct lysine reduction therapies (LRTs) reduce the accumulation of putative neurotoxic metabolites with the goal to improve developmental outcomes. Our objective was to examine the association between treatment with LRTs and cognitive outcomes.MethodsParticipants were recruited from within the International Registry for Patients with Pyridoxine-Dependent Epilepsy from August 2014 through March 2021. The primary outcome was standardized developmental test scores associated with overall cognitive ability. The relationship between test scores and treatment was analyzed with multivariable linear regression using a mixed-effects model. A priori, we hypothesized that treatment in early infancy with pyridoxine and LRTs would result in a normal developmental outcome. A subanalysis was performed to evaluate the association between cognitive outcome and LRTs initiated in the first 6 months of life.ResultsA total of 112 test scores from 60 participants were available. On average, treatment with pyridoxine and LRTs was associated with a nonsignificant increase of 6.9 points (95% CI -2.7 to 16.5) on developmental testing compared with treatment with pyridoxine alone. For the subanalysis, a total of 14 developmental testing scores were available from 8 participants. On average, treatment with pyridoxine and LRTs in the first 6 months of life was associated with a significant increase of 21.9 points (95% CI 1.7-42.0) on developmental testing.DiscussionPyridoxine and LRTs at any age was associated with mild improvement in developmental testing, and treatment in early infancy was associated with a clinically significant increase in developmental test scores. These results provide insight into the mechanism of intellectual and developmental disability in PDE-ALDH7A1 and emphasize the importance of treatment in early infancy with both pyridoxine and LRTs.Classification of EvidenceThis study provides Class IV evidence that in PDE-ALDH7A1, pyridoxine and LRTs compared with pyridoxine alone is not significantly associated with overall higher developmental testing scores, but treatment in the first 6 months of life is associated with significantly higher developmental testing scores.
Background & aimsMedium chain triglyceride (MCT) supplementation is often recommended as treatment for patients with long-chain fatty acid β-oxidation (lcFAO) disorders, since they can be utilized as an energy source without the use of the defective enzyme. However, studies in mice and preterm infants suggest that not all medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) are oxidized and may undergo elongation to long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). In this single blinded study, we explored the metabolic fates of MCT in healthy individuals using a 13C-labeled MCT tracer.MethodThree healthy males in rest received on two test days a primed continuous infusion of glyceryl tri[1,2,3,4–13C4]-octanoate with either an isocaloric supplementation of 1) exclusively MCT (MCT-only) or 2) a mixture of MCT, proteins and carbohydrates (MCT-mix). Gas chromatography - combustion - isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) was used to determine 13C-enrichment of long-chain fatty acids in plasma and of 13CO2 in exhaled air.ResultsWhen provided as single energy source, an estimated 42% of administered MCT was converted to CO2. In combination with carbohydrates and proteins in the diet, oxidation of MCT was higher (62%). In both diets <1% of 13C-label was incorporated in LCFA in plasma, indicating that administered MCT underwent chain-elongation to LCT.ConclusionsAlthough the relative MCT oxidation rate was higher when combined with carbohydrates and protein, quantitatively more MCT was oxidized when given an isocaloric meal with solely MCT. As these results were obtained in the resting state opposed to during exercise, it is too early to give a recommendation concerning the use of MCT in lcFAO disorders. The data show that in resting healthy individuals only a very small part of the MCT is traced back as LCFA in plasma, suggesting that MCT treatment does not result in a large LCFA burden, however further research on storage of MCT in tissues is warranted.RegistrationThe study was registered in the Nederlands Trialregister. Protocol ID: Trial NL7417 (NTR7650).
Objective To improve the use of N-of-1 studies in rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders, we systematically reviewed the literature and formulated recommendations for future studies. Methods The systematic review protocol was registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42020154720). EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for relevant studies. Information was recorded on types of interventions, outcome measures, validity, strengths, and limitations using standard reporting guidelines and critical appraisal tools. Qualitative and descriptive analyses were performed. Results Twelve studies met the N-of-1 inclusion criteria, including both single trials and series. Interventions were mainly directed to neuropsychiatric manifestations. Main strengths were the use of personalized and clinically relevant outcomes in most studies. Generalizability was compromised due to limited use of validated and generalizable outcome measures. Conclusion N-of-1 studies are sporadically reported in rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders. Properly executed N-of-1 studies may provide a powerful alternative to larger randomized controlled trials in rare disorders and a much needed bridge between practice and science. We provide recommendations for future N-of-1 studies in rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders, ultimately optimizing evidence-based and personalized care.