What has research taught us about RS?
Studies have revealed that although the brain of an individual with Rett syndrome is 30% smaller than normal, there are no obvious malformations, gross abnormalities or signs of infection. There is increased neuronal cell packing density. That is, cells should be further apart, but in RS they are very close together because cell–to–cell connections are not well–developed along the route. Neurons are reduced in size and there is reduced branching, which interferes with functions such as thinking, doing, and feeling. The number of synapses (brain–cell to brain–cell connections) is about half the normal number.
