Data-driven phenotype discovery of FMR1 premutation carriers in a population-based sample

Sci Adv. 2019 Aug 21;5(8):eaaw7195. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw7195. eCollection 2019 Aug.

Abstract

The impact of the FMR1 premutation on human health is the subject of considerable controversy. A fundamental unanswered question is whether carrying the premutation allele is directly correlated with clinical phenotypes. A challenging problem in past genotype-phenotype studies of the FMR1 premutation is ascertainment bias, which could lead to invalid research conclusions and negatively affect clinical practice. Here, we created the first population-based FMR1-informed biobank to find the pattern of health characteristics in premutation carriers. Our extensive phenotyping shows that premutation carriers experience a clinical profile that is significantly different from controls and is evident throughout adulthood. Comprehensive understanding of the clinical risk associated with this genetic variant is critical for premutation carriers, their families, and clinicians and has important implications for public health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Databases, Genetic
  • Female
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein / genetics*
  • Fragile X Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Fragile X Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Fragile X Syndrome / genetics*
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Heterozygote*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mutation*
  • Phenotype*
  • Population Surveillance
  • ROC Curve
  • Workflow

Substances

  • FMR1 protein, human
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein