Temperament and vagal tone in boys with fragile X syndrome.

Full Abstract

Physiological hyperarousal, an elevated state of physiological arousal and poor modulation, has been postulated to be a significant source of behavior problems in children with fragile X syndrome (FXS). Temperament has been associated with behavior problems and may also reflect biological reactivity. Young boys with FXS display poorly modulated and low levels of vagal tone (Roberts, Dev Psychobiol 2001;39:107-123) and high activity, poor attention, low adaptability, poor persistence, and low intensity when compared with a reference sample of typically developing (Hatton, Dev Med Child Neurol 1991;41:625-632). In this study, we integrated physiological indices of vagal tone with temperament ratings and compared a sample of 29 young boys with FXS to 31 typically developing boys matched on chronological age and ethnicity. Boys with FXS were more active, less adaptable, and less persistent than the comparison group. Boys with FXS also showed lower baseline levels and less suppression of vagal tone in response to changing task demands. A relationship between baseline vagal tone and persistence was shown across both groups. However, group differences in temperament dimensions did not appear to be mediated or moderated by vagal tone.

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Author information

Author/s: Roberts, Jane E (JE); Boccia, Maria L (ML); Hatton, Deborah D (DD); Skinner, Martie L (ML); Sideris, John (J);

Affiliation: Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27510-8040, USA. Jane_Roberts(-atsign-)unc.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBP (J Dev Behav Pediatr), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jun; vol 27 (issue 3) : pp 193-201

Dates: Created 2006/06/15; Completed 2006/11/07; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16775515, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Arousal
Child
Child, Preschool
Fragile X Syndrome - physiopathology; psychology
Humans

Infant
Male
Multivariate Analysis
Temperament
Vagus Nerve - physiopathology

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