Rett syndrome (RS) is a clinically defined disorder which appears to b
e unique to females and which is associated with apparent loss of cogn
itive and motor skills early in life. Using the technique of gapless s
erial section, microscopic analysis of the brains from three cases of
RS and identically processed age-matched controls was conducted to det
ermine the nature and extent of cerebral abnormality in this disorder.
Small neuronal cell size and increased cell packing density were obse
rved throughout the brain in all three cases, without evidence of glio
sis or active degeneration. These findings are consistent with a curta
ilment of brain development which may begin before birth. Further, the
brain abnormalities in RS appear to be more diffuse than previously a
ppreciated and are in accord with the widespread neurological symptoms
characteristic of this disorder.