New evidence for a complex interaction between executive control and motor functioning in young female FMR1 premutation carriers

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event New evidence for a complex interaction between executive control and motor functioning in young female FMR1 premutation carriers Claudine M. Kraan1, Darren Hocking1, John L. Bradshaw2, Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis3 and Kim Cornish4* 1 Monash University, Psychology and Psychiatry, Australia 2 Monash University, Emeritus Professor (Neuropsychology), Australia 3 Monash University, Director, Research Degrees, Australia 4 Monash University, Head, School of Psychology & Psychiatry, Australia Background: Fragile X syndrome-premutation (FX-PM) status is caused by a CGG-repeat expansion (55-200 repeats) on the FMR1 gene and is associated with an increased risk for a late-onset neurodegenerative disorder, fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Although a subtle cognitive profile has emerged in females with FX-PM, who have lower risk of developing FXTAS, the extent to which subtle age-dependent neuromotor changes indicate at-risk profiles is hitherto unknown. Aim: Here we investigate interactions between executive function and neuromotor profiles in females with the FX-PM. Method: 27 female FX-PM carriers confirmed by southern blot DNA testing and 25 age- and intelligence-matched controls were recruited for this study. All participants self-reported on behavioural attentional profiles and completed neuropsychological tests of executive function. The impact of dual tasking on neuromotor function was indexed through characterisation of subtle spatiotemporal gait characteristics during concurrent cognitive (i.e., counting backwards by 3s and 7s) and motor (i.e., finger tapping) tasks. Results: FX-PM women presented with significantly higher self-reported attentional difficulties and a striking profile of executive control deficits. Examination of spatiotemporal gait characteristics showed greater dual task costs for a range of gait parameters (velocity, stride length and double support time) in the females with FX-PM compared to controls. Significant correlations were also observed between individual gait parameters and performance on inhibitory, working memory and self-reported attentional profiles only in the females with FX-PM. Conclusion: Our findings reveal a complex interaction between executive control and motor functioning in young female FMR1 premutation carriers, suggestive of at-risk neuromotor profiles associated with FMR1 gene expansion. Acknowledgements We acknowledge the National Fragile X Society for their support in this research. This work was partly supported by a National Fragile X Foundation Rosen Summer Student Fellowship award and an Australian Research Council grant (DP110103346). We also thank Monash University and the Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship Scheme for providing a financial stipend. Keywords: FMR1, fragile X syndrome (FXS), premutation, Executive Function, Gait, Neuromotor development Conference: ACNS-2012 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 29 Nov - 2 Dec, 2012. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Motor Citation: Kraan CM, Hocking D, Bradshaw JL, Georgiou-Karistianis N and Cornish K (2012). New evidence for a complex interaction between executive control and motor functioning in young female FMR1 premutation carriers. Conference Abstract: ACNS-2012 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Conference. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2012.208.00058 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 25 Oct 2012; Published Online: 07 Nov 2012. * Correspondence: Prof. Kim Cornish, Monash University, Head, School of Psychology & Psychiatry, MELBOURNE, VIC, 3800, Australia, kim.cornish@monash.edu Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Claudine M Kraan Darren Hocking John L Bradshaw Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis Kim Cornish Google Claudine M Kraan Darren Hocking John L Bradshaw Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis Kim Cornish Google Scholar Claudine M Kraan Darren Hocking John L Bradshaw Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis Kim Cornish PubMed Claudine M Kraan Darren Hocking John L Bradshaw Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis Kim Cornish Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.