Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), also known as 22q13.3 deletion syndrome, is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by haploinsufficiency of the SHANK3 gene on chromosome 22q13.3. It can result from terminal deletions, ring chromosome 22, unbalanced translocations, or intragenic SHANK3 mutations. PMS is characterized by neonatal hypotonia, global developmental delay, absent or severely delayed speech, intellectual disability, and autism spectrum features. SHANK3 encodes a postsynaptic scaffolding protein critical for glutamatergic synapse formation and function. Additional features may include renal anomalies, lymphedema, seizures, and neuropsychiatric decompensation in adolescence and adulthood. Over 600 cases have been documented, though the condition is likely underdiagnosed.
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name: Phelan-McDermid Syndrome
creation_date: '2026-04-06T19:41:20Z'
updated_date: '2026-04-20T17:29:15Z'
category: Mendelian
description: >
Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), also known as 22q13.3 deletion syndrome, is a
neurodevelopmental disorder caused by haploinsufficiency of the SHANK3 gene on
chromosome 22q13.3. It can result from terminal deletions, ring chromosome 22,
unbalanced translocations, or intragenic SHANK3 mutations. PMS is characterized
by neonatal hypotonia, global developmental delay, absent or severely delayed
speech, intellectual disability, and autism spectrum features. SHANK3 encodes a
postsynaptic scaffolding protein critical for glutamatergic synapse formation
and function. Additional features may include renal anomalies, lymphedema,
seizures, and neuropsychiatric decompensation in adolescence and adulthood.
Over 600 cases have been documented, though the condition is likely underdiagnosed.
disease_term:
preferred_term: Phelan-McDermid syndrome
term:
id: MONDO:0011652
label: Phelan-McDermid syndrome
parents:
- 22q13.3 microdeletion syndrome
- SHANK3-related neurodevelopmental disorder
has_subtypes:
- name: 22q13.3 deletion
description: >
The most common form (~89% of cases), caused by terminal deletions of
chromosome 22q13.3 encompassing the SHANK3 gene. Deletion size is variable
(100 kb to >9 Mb) and may include additional genes contributing to
phenotypic variability. Approximately 73% of de novo deletions are of
paternal origin.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:24481935
reference_title: "Clinical and genomic evaluation of 201 patients with Phelan-McDermid syndrome."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "22q13 genomic anomalies include terminal deletions of 22q13 (89 %), terminal deletions and interstitial duplications (9 %), and interstitial deletions (2 %)."
explanation: The largest PMS cohort study (201 patients) established that 89% of cases have terminal 22q13 deletions.
- name: SHANK3 point mutation
description: >
Caused by pathogenic variants (missense, nonsense, frameshift) within the
SHANK3 gene itself, without a cytogenetically visible deletion. Individuals
with point mutations tend to have somewhat milder speech impairment compared
to those with large deletions.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:29719671
reference_title: "Delineation of the genetic and clinical spectrum of Phelan-McDermid syndrome caused by SHANK3 point mutations."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Haploinsufficiency of SHANK3 resulting from point mutations is sufficient to cause a broad range of features associated with PMS."
explanation: De Rubeis et al. studied 17 new and 60 previously reported patients with SHANK3 point mutations, confirming that point mutations alone cause PMS.
- name: Ring chromosome 22
description: >
Caused by formation of ring chromosome 22 with loss of distal 22q material
including SHANK3. May have additional features related to ring chromosome
instability.
inheritance:
- name: Autosomal dominant (typically de novo)
description: >
PMS follows autosomal dominant inheritance due to haploinsufficiency, but the
vast majority of cases are de novo. Approximately 73% of de novo deletions are
of paternal origin. Rare familial cases have been reported, including parental
mosaicism and balanced translocations that segregate in unbalanced form.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:12920066
reference_title: "Molecular characterisation of the 22q13 deletion syndrome supports the role of haploinsufficiency of SHANK3/PROSAP2 in the major neurological symptoms."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Similar to other terminal deletion syndromes, there was an overabundance of paternal deletions."
explanation: Wilson et al. found a paternal origin bias in 22q13 deletions across 56 patients.
pathophysiology:
- name: Terminal 22q13.3 Deletion and Adjacent Gene Haploinsufficiency
description: >
Most Phelan-McDermid syndrome cases are terminal 22q13.3 deletions that
include SHANK3 and variably remove adjacent genes. This contiguous-deletion
branch explains why some non-neurological features, especially renal
anomalies, are enriched in deletion cases but not clearly attributable to
SHANK3 point mutations alone.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:24481935
reference_title: "Clinical and genomic evaluation of 201 patients with Phelan-McDermid syndrome."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "22q13 genomic anomalies include terminal deletions of 22q13 (89 %), terminal deletions and interstitial duplications (9 %), and interstitial deletions (2 %)."
explanation: The large PMS cohort shows that most cases are terminal 22q13 deletions.
- reference: PMID:35741804
reference_title: "State of the Science for Kidney Disorders in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome: UPK3A, FBLN1, WNT7B, and CELSR1 as Candidate Genes."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "The scientific literature suggests that up to 40% of individuals with PMS have kidney disorders, yet little research has been conducted on the renal system to assess candidate genes attributed to these disorders."
explanation: Review evidence supports renal anomalies as a deletion-region feature requiring candidate-gene assessment.
downstream:
- target: SHANK3 haploinsufficiency
description: Terminal 22q13 deletions usually include SHANK3, producing the core synaptic scaffold lesion.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:22670140
reference_title: "The 22q13.3 Deletion Syndrome (Phelan-McDermid Syndrome)."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Almost all of these deletions include the gene SHANK3 which encodes a scaffold protein in the postsynaptic densities of excitatory synapses, connecting membrane-bound receptors to the actin cytoskeleton."
explanation: The review directly links 22q13 deletions to SHANK3 loss.
- target: Renal anomalies
description: Adjacent genes within variably sized 22q13 deletions likely contribute to renal anomalies.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:35741804
reference_title: "State of the Science for Kidney Disorders in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome: UPK3A, FBLN1, WNT7B, and CELSR1 as Candidate Genes."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "The scientific literature suggests that up to 40% of individuals with PMS have kidney disorders, yet little research has been conducted on the renal system to assess candidate genes attributed to these disorders."
explanation: Review evidence supports kidney disorders in PMS and frames candidate genes outside SHANK3.
- target: Lymphedema
description: Lymphedema is an age-related feature observed in deletion cohorts.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:24481935
reference_title: "Clinical and genomic evaluation of 201 patients with Phelan-McDermid syndrome."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "the proportion reporting an autism spectrum disorder, seizures, and cellulitis, or presenting with lymphedema or abnormal reflexes increased with age"
explanation: The 201-patient cohort supports lymphedema as an age-related PMS feature.
- name: SHANK3 haploinsufficiency
conforms_to: "excitatory_synapse_scaffold_disruption#Postsynaptic Scaffold Disruption"
description: >
SHANK3 is a master scaffolding protein at the postsynaptic density of
glutamatergic synapses. It connects membrane-bound receptors including NMDA
and AMPA receptors to the actin cytoskeleton. Loss of one copy of SHANK3 is
the primary molecular lesion underlying core neurological features of
Phelan-McDermid syndrome.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:22670140
reference_title: "The 22q13.3 Deletion Syndrome (Phelan-McDermid Syndrome)."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Almost all of these deletions include the gene SHANK3 which encodes a scaffold protein in the postsynaptic densities of excitatory synapses, connecting membrane-bound receptors to the actin cytoskeleton."
explanation: Phelan and McDermid's comprehensive review establishes SHANK3's role as a postsynaptic scaffold protein and its centrality to PMS neurological features.
- reference: PMID:12920066
reference_title: "Molecular characterisation of the 22q13 deletion syndrome supports the role of haploinsufficiency of SHANK3/PROSAP2 in the major neurological symptoms."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Our analysis therefore supports haploinsufficiency of the gene SHANK3, which codes for a structural protein of the postsynaptic density, as a major causative factor in the neurological symptoms of 22q13 deletion syndrome."
explanation: Wilson et al. found that all 45 testable patients were deleted for SHANK3, supporting its role as the critical gene.
- reference: PMID:11431708
reference_title: "Disruption of the ProSAP2 gene in a t(12;22)(q24.1;q13.3) is associated with the 22q13.3 deletion syndrome."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "ProSAP2 is a good candidate for this syndrome, because it is preferentially expressed in the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum and encodes a scaffold protein involved in the postsynaptic density of excitatory synapses."
explanation: First paper linking SHANK3 (ProSAP2) disruption to 22q13.3 deletion syndrome, via a balanced translocation that disrupted the gene.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: Glutamatergic neuron
term:
id: CL:0000679
label: glutamatergic neuron
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: Synapse assembly
term:
id: GO:0007416
label: synapse assembly
- preferred_term: Glutamate receptor signaling pathway
term:
id: GO:0007215
label: glutamate receptor signaling pathway
downstream:
- target: Excitatory synapse structural deficit
description: SHANK3 loss disrupts postsynaptic scaffolding at excitatory synapses.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
- target: Global developmental delay
description: SHANK3 haploinsufficiency produces the core neurodevelopmental delay phenotype.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:22670140
reference_title: "The 22q13.3 Deletion Syndrome (Phelan-McDermid Syndrome)."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "this syndrome is characterized by neurological deficits which include global developmental delay, moderate to severe intellectual impairment, absent or severely delayed speech, and neonatal hypotonia"
explanation: The PMS review identifies global developmental delay as part of the core SHANK3-associated neurological syndrome.
- target: Absent speech
description: SHANK3-associated neurodevelopmental impairment severely affects expressive speech.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:12920066
reference_title: "Molecular characterisation of the 22q13 deletion syndrome supports the role of haploinsufficiency of SHANK3/PROSAP2 in the major neurological symptoms."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "all patients showed some degree of mental retardation and severe delay or absence of expressive speech, regardless of deletion size"
explanation: The molecular characterization study links SHANK3-region deletions to severe expressive-speech impairment.
- target: Intellectual disability
description: SHANK3 haploinsufficiency contributes to moderate-to-profound intellectual disability.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:23758760
reference_title: "Prospective investigation of autism and genotype-phenotype correlations in 22q13 deletion syndrome and SHANK3 deficiency."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Most patients (77%) exhibited severe to profound intellectual disability"
explanation: Prospective PMS evaluation documents severe-to-profound intellectual disability in most patients.
- target: Neonatal hypotonia
description: SHANK3-associated neurological dysfunction manifests early as neonatal hypotonia.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:22670140
reference_title: "The 22q13.3 Deletion Syndrome (Phelan-McDermid Syndrome)."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "this syndrome is characterized by neurological deficits which include global developmental delay, moderate to severe intellectual impairment, absent or severely delayed speech, and neonatal hypotonia"
explanation: The PMS review identifies neonatal hypotonia as a core neurological feature.
- name: Excitatory synapse structural deficit
conforms_to: "excitatory_synapse_scaffold_disruption#Excitatory Postsynaptic Structural Deficit"
description: >
SHANK3 deficiency reduces postsynaptic scaffold organization at
glutamatergic synapses, producing fewer structurally mature excitatory
synapses and impaired glutamate receptor localization.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: Glutamatergic neuron
term:
id: CL:0000679
label: glutamatergic neuron
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: Synapse assembly
modifier: DECREASED
term:
id: GO:0007416
label: synapse assembly
downstream:
- target: Excitatory-inhibitory imbalance
description: Structural excitatory synapse deficits reduce excitatory synaptic output.
- name: Excitatory-inhibitory imbalance
conforms_to: "excitatory_synapse_scaffold_disruption#Impaired Synaptic Plasticity and Excitatory-Inhibitory Imbalance"
description: >
Loss of SHANK3 disrupts the balance between excitatory glutamatergic and
inhibitory GABAergic signaling. iPSC-derived neurons from PMS patients show
major defects in excitatory but not inhibitory synaptic transmission, with
reduced AMPA- and NMDA-mediated currents and fewer excitatory synapses, while
inhibitory transmission remains intact.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:24132240
reference_title: "SHANK3 and IGF1 restore synaptic deficits in neurons from 22q13 deletion syndrome patients."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: "We show that PMDS neurons have reduced SHANK3 expression and major defects in excitatory, but not inhibitory, synaptic transmission."
explanation: Shcheglovitov et al. used iPSC-derived neurons from PMS patients to demonstrate selective excitatory synaptic deficits, providing direct human cellular evidence for E/I imbalance.
- reference: PMID:21423165
reference_title: "Shank3 mutant mice display autistic-like behaviours and striatal dysfunction."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: "Cellular, electrophysiological and biochemical analyses uncovered defects at striatal synapses and cortico-striatal circuits in Shank3 mutant mice."
explanation: Peca et al. showed cortico-striatal circuit defects in Shank3 knockout mice, supporting disrupted neural circuit function.
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: Synaptic transmission, glutamatergic
term:
id: GO:0035249
label: synaptic transmission, glutamatergic
downstream:
- target: Neuropsychiatric decompensation in adolescence and adulthood
description: SHANK3-deficient neural circuits may become vulnerable to later psychiatric decompensation.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
- target: Autism spectrum disorder
description: Excitatory synaptic dysfunction contributes to autistic behavior in PMS.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:23758760
reference_title: "Prospective investigation of autism and genotype-phenotype correlations in 22q13 deletion syndrome and SHANK3 deficiency."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "The sample was characterized by high rates of autism spectrum disorder: 27 (84%) met criteria for autism spectrum disorder and 24 (75%) for autistic disorder."
explanation: Prospective evaluation documents high ASD prevalence in PMS.
- target: Seizures
description: SHANK3-deficient circuit imbalance increases seizure susceptibility in a subset of patients.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
evidence:
- reference: PMID:24481935
reference_title: "Clinical and genomic evaluation of 201 patients with Phelan-McDermid syndrome."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "the proportion reporting an autism spectrum disorder, seizures, and cellulitis, or presenting with lymphedema or abnormal reflexes increased with age"
explanation: The 201-patient cohort identifies seizures as an age-related PMS feature.
- name: Neuropsychiatric decompensation in adolescence and adulthood
description: >
A subset of individuals with PMS experience significant neuropsychiatric
deterioration beginning in adolescence or adulthood, with features of
bipolar disorder, catatonia, psychosis, and progressive loss of previously
acquired skills. Mean age of onset is approximately 20 years. The
underlying mechanisms are not fully understood but may involve
age-dependent vulnerability of SHANK3-deficient neural circuits.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:31879555
reference_title: "Neuropsychiatric decompensation in adolescents and adults with Phelan-McDermid syndrome: a systematic review of the literature."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Clinical presentations included features of bipolar disorder, catatonia, psychosis, and loss of skills, occurring at a mean age of 20 years."
explanation: Kolevzon et al. systematically reviewed 56 PMS cases with neuropsychiatric decompensation, establishing the pattern of late-onset psychiatric features.
downstream:
- target: Regression and loss of skills
description: Adolescent/adult neuropsychiatric decompensation includes loss of previously acquired skills.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:31879555
reference_title: "Neuropsychiatric decompensation in adolescents and adults with Phelan-McDermid syndrome: a systematic review of the literature."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Clinical presentations included features of bipolar disorder, catatonia, psychosis, and loss of skills, occurring at a mean age of 20 years."
explanation: The systematic review directly documents loss of skills during PMS decompensation.
phenotypes:
- name: Global developmental delay
description: >
Most individuals with PMS show significant global developmental delay
apparent in the first year of life, affecting motor, cognitive, and
language milestones.
frequency: HP_0040281
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Global developmental delay
term:
id: HP:0001263
label: Global developmental delay
evidence:
- reference: PMID:22670140
reference_title: "The 22q13.3 Deletion Syndrome (Phelan-McDermid Syndrome)."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "this syndrome is characterized by neurological deficits which include global developmental delay, moderate to severe intellectual impairment, absent or severely delayed speech, and neonatal hypotonia"
explanation: Phelan and McDermid's review identifies global developmental delay as a core neurological feature of PMS.
- name: Absent speech
description: >
Absent or severely delayed expressive language is a hallmark feature.
In prospective evaluation, only 19% of patients used some words
spontaneously to communicate.
frequency: HP_0040281
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Absent speech
term:
id: HP:0001344
label: Absent speech
evidence:
- reference: PMID:23758760
reference_title: "Prospective investigation of autism and genotype-phenotype correlations in 22q13 deletion syndrome and SHANK3 deficiency."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "only five (19%) used some words spontaneously to communicate"
explanation: Soorya et al. prospectively evaluated 32 PMS patients and found that only 19% used any spontaneous words, confirming severe speech impairment as a hallmark.
- reference: PMID:12920066
reference_title: "Molecular characterisation of the 22q13 deletion syndrome supports the role of haploinsufficiency of SHANK3/PROSAP2 in the major neurological symptoms."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "all patients showed some degree of mental retardation and severe delay or absence of expressive speech, regardless of deletion size"
explanation: Wilson et al. found universal speech delay/absence across all deletion sizes in 56 patients.
- name: Intellectual disability
description: >
Moderate to profound intellectual disability is present in the majority
of individuals with PMS. In prospective studies, 77% exhibited severe
to profound intellectual disability.
frequency: HP_0040281
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Intellectual disability
term:
id: HP:0001249
label: Intellectual disability
evidence:
- reference: PMID:23758760
reference_title: "Prospective investigation of autism and genotype-phenotype correlations in 22q13 deletion syndrome and SHANK3 deficiency."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Most patients (77%) exhibited severe to profound intellectual disability"
explanation: Soorya et al. prospectively assessed cognitive function in 32 PMS patients and found the majority had severe to profound intellectual disability.
- name: Neonatal hypotonia
description: >
Hypotonia is frequently the first clinical sign, often noted at birth
or in early infancy, and contributes to feeding difficulties and
delayed motor milestones.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Neonatal hypotonia
term:
id: HP:0001319
label: Neonatal hypotonia
evidence:
- reference: PMID:22670140
reference_title: "The 22q13.3 Deletion Syndrome (Phelan-McDermid Syndrome)."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "this syndrome is characterized by neurological deficits which include global developmental delay, moderate to severe intellectual impairment, absent or severely delayed speech, and neonatal hypotonia"
explanation: Neonatal hypotonia is listed as one of the four core neurological features in the definitive PMS review.
- name: Autism spectrum disorder
description: >
A high proportion of individuals with PMS meet diagnostic criteria for
autism spectrum disorder. In prospective evaluation with gold-standard
instruments, 84% met criteria for ASD and 75% for autistic disorder.
frequency: HP_0040281
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Autism
term:
id: HP:0000729
label: Autistic behavior
evidence:
- reference: PMID:23758760
reference_title: "Prospective investigation of autism and genotype-phenotype correlations in 22q13 deletion syndrome and SHANK3 deficiency."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "The sample was characterized by high rates of autism spectrum disorder: 27 (84%) met criteria for autism spectrum disorder and 24 (75%) for autistic disorder."
explanation: Soorya et al. used ADOS and ADI-R gold-standard instruments to establish a high ASD prevalence in PMS.
- reference: PMID:22670140
reference_title: "The 22q13.3 Deletion Syndrome (Phelan-McDermid Syndrome)."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "more than 50% of patients show autism or autistic-like behavior, and therefore it can be classified as a syndromic form of autism spectrum disorders (ASD)"
explanation: Phelan and McDermid noted >50% ASD prevalence across >600 documented cases.
- name: Seizures
description: >
Seizures occur in a significant proportion of PMS patients, with
variable age of onset and seizure types. The proportion reporting
seizures increases with age. Seizures are reported approximately three
times more often in patients with maternal-origin deletions.
frequency: HP_0040283
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Seizures
term:
id: HP:0001250
label: Seizure
evidence:
- reference: PMID:24481935
reference_title: "Clinical and genomic evaluation of 201 patients with Phelan-McDermid syndrome."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "the proportion reporting an autism spectrum disorder, seizures, and cellulitis, or presenting with lymphedema or abnormal reflexes increased with age"
explanation: Sarasua et al. documented increasing seizure prevalence with age in 201 PMS patients.
- reference: PMID:24481935
reference_title: "Clinical and genomic evaluation of 201 patients with Phelan-McDermid syndrome."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Seizures were reported three times more often among patients with a de novo deletion of the maternal rather than paternal chromosome 22."
explanation: Parent-of-origin effect on seizure susceptibility in PMS, with maternal deletions conferring higher risk.
- name: Renal anomalies
description: >
Structural renal anomalies occur in up to 40% of individuals with PMS,
including renal cysts, hypoplasia, agenesis, hydronephrosis,
vesicoureteral reflux, kidney dysplasia, horseshoe kidneys, and
pyelectasis. Candidate genes beyond SHANK3 in the 22q13 region include
UPK3A, FBLN1, WNT7B, and CELSR1.
frequency: HP_0040282
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Renal anomaly
term:
id: HP:0000077
label: Abnormality of the kidney
evidence:
- reference: PMID:35741804
reference_title: "State of the Science for Kidney Disorders in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome: UPK3A, FBLN1, WNT7B, and CELSR1 as Candidate Genes."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "The scientific literature suggests that up to 40% of individuals with PMS have kidney disorders, yet little research has been conducted on the renal system to assess candidate genes attributed to these disorders."
explanation: McCoy et al. systematically reviewed kidney disorders in PMS, finding up to 40% prevalence and identifying candidate renal genes in the 22q13 region.
- reference: PMID:29719671
reference_title: "Delineation of the genetic and clinical spectrum of Phelan-McDermid syndrome caused by SHANK3 point mutations."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "renal abnormalities associated with 22q13.3 deletions do not appear to be related to the loss of SHANK3"
explanation: De Rubeis et al. found that renal anomalies were not observed in SHANK3 point mutation patients, suggesting other deleted genes in 22q13.3 are responsible.
- name: Lymphedema
description: >
Peripheral lymphedema is an age-related feature of PMS that increases
in prevalence with age, reported in approximately 8-15% of patients in
cohort studies.
frequency: HP_0040283
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Lymphedema
term:
id: HP:0001004
label: Lymphedema
evidence:
- reference: PMID:24481935
reference_title: "Clinical and genomic evaluation of 201 patients with Phelan-McDermid syndrome."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "the proportion reporting an autism spectrum disorder, seizures, and cellulitis, or presenting with lymphedema or abnormal reflexes increased with age"
explanation: Sarasua et al. documented lymphedema as an age-related feature in the 201-patient PMS cohort.
- name: Regression and loss of skills
description: >
Progressive loss of previously acquired motor, language, and cognitive
skills occurs in a subset of PMS patients, typically in adolescence
or adulthood. This can be accompanied by neuropsychiatric features
including bipolar disorder and catatonia.
frequency: HP_0040283
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Regression
term:
id: HP:0002376
label: Developmental regression
evidence:
- reference: PMID:31879555
reference_title: "Neuropsychiatric decompensation in adolescents and adults with Phelan-McDermid syndrome: a systematic review of the literature."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "we conducted a systematic literature review and identified 56 PMS cases showing signs of behavioral and neurologic decompensation in adolescence or adulthood"
explanation: Kolevzon et al. systematically documented neuropsychiatric decompensation and skill loss in 56 PMS cases, establishing this as a recognized feature of the syndrome.
- reference: PMID:29719671
reference_title: "Delineation of the genetic and clinical spectrum of Phelan-McDermid syndrome caused by SHANK3 point mutations."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Other common findings were consistent with reports among individuals with 22q13.3 deletions, including hypotonia, motor skill deficits, regression, seizures, brain abnormalities, mild dysmorphic features, and feeding and gastrointestinal problems."
explanation: De Rubeis et al. confirmed regression occurs in SHANK3 point mutation patients as well, demonstrating that SHANK3 haploinsufficiency alone is sufficient.
genetic:
- name: SHANK3
gene_term:
preferred_term: SHANK3
term:
id: hgnc:14294
label: SHANK3
association: CAUSAL
features: >
Loss-of-function variants including terminal 22q13.3 deletions (100 kb to >9 Mb),
intragenic point mutations (nonsense, frameshift, missense), and ring chromosome 22
evidence:
- reference: PMID:12920066
reference_title: "Molecular characterisation of the 22q13 deletion syndrome supports the role of haploinsufficiency of SHANK3/PROSAP2 in the major neurological symptoms."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "all 45 cases that could be specifically tested for the terminal region at the site of SHANK3 were deleted for this gene"
explanation: Wilson et al. demonstrated that SHANK3 deletion is universal in the 22q13 deletion syndrome, establishing it as the critical gene.
- reference: PMID:17173049
reference_title: "Mutations in the gene encoding the synaptic scaffolding protein SHANK3 are associated with autism spectrum disorders."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "we report that a mutation of a single copy of SHANK3 on chromosome 22q13 can result in language and/or social communication disorders"
explanation: Durand et al. in Nature Genetics showed that SHANK3 point mutations alone cause language and social communication disorders, independent of larger deletions.
- reference: PMID:29719671
reference_title: "Delineation of the genetic and clinical spectrum of Phelan-McDermid syndrome caused by SHANK3 point mutations."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "All individuals studied had intellectual disability, and autism spectrum disorder was prevalent (73%)."
explanation: De Rubeis et al. confirmed the full PMS phenotype in individuals with SHANK3 point mutations, with 100% ID and 73% ASD.
- reference: CGGV:assertion_e941703a-0f30-4f4c-a997-bc3b4295f289-2018-12-12T110000.000Z
reference_title: "SHANK3 / Phelan-McDermid syndrome (Definitive)"
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: "SHANK3 | HGNC:14294 | Phelan-McDermid syndrome | MONDO:0011652 | AD | Definitive"
explanation: ClinGen classifies the SHANK3-Phelan-McDermid syndrome gene-disease relationship as definitive with autosomal dominant inheritance.
treatments:
- name: Speech and language therapy
description: >
Augmentative and alternative communication strategies are essential for
individuals with absent or limited speech, including picture exchange
systems, speech-generating devices, and sign language.
- name: Behavioral therapy
description: >
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) and other behavioral interventions
targeting autism spectrum features, adaptive skills, and challenging
behaviors.
- name: Antiepileptic medication
description: >
Seizure management with anticonvulsant medications tailored to the
individual seizure type and response.
- name: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) therapy
description: >
IGF-1 has been investigated as a targeted treatment for PMS. Preclinical
studies showed that IGF-1 restores excitatory synaptic deficits in
iPSC-derived PMS neurons. A pilot controlled trial in children showed
improvement in social impairment and restrictive behaviors.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:24132240
reference_title: "SHANK3 and IGF1 restore synaptic deficits in neurons from 22q13 deletion syndrome patients."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: "Excitatory synaptic transmission in PMDS neurons can be corrected by restoring SHANK3 expression or by treating neurons with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1)."
explanation: Shcheglovitov et al. demonstrated in Nature that IGF-1 rescues synaptic deficits in iPSC-derived neurons from PMS patients, providing the preclinical rationale.
- reference: PMID:25685306
reference_title: "A pilot controlled trial of insulin-like growth factor-1 in children with Phelan-McDermid syndrome."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Compared to the placebo phase, the IGF-1 phase was associated with significant improvement in both social impairment and restrictive behaviors, as measured by the Aberrant Behavior Checklist and the Repetitive Behavior Scale, respectively."
explanation: Kolevzon et al. conducted the first controlled trial of IGF-1 in 9 PMS children, showing significant improvement in social and behavioral domains.
datasets: