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Cohen Syndrome

Synonym: VPS13B-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder

, MD, PhD, , PhD, , MS, and , MD, MEd.

Author Information and Affiliations

Initial Posting: ; Last Update: December 4, 2025.

Estimated reading time: 34 minutes

Summary

Clinical characteristics.

Cohen syndrome is characterized by early-onset hypotonia, developmental delay, and moderate-to-profound intellectual disability; at least 20% of individuals are unable to communicate verbally. In infancy and childhood weight gain is poor due to feeding difficulties. However, in the early teen years rapid weight gain (without a change in appetite, food intake, or activity) leads to significant truncal obesity; short stature is common. Ophthalmologic findings include early childhood onset of progressive high myopia and retinal dystrophy. Mild-to-moderate neutropenia, present in almost all individuals, may be associated with recurrent infections and/or aphthous ulcers. Joint laxity can lead to kyphosis and scoliosis. Individuals with Cohen syndrome are described as having a cheerful and friendly disposition.

Diagnosis/testing.

The diagnosis of Cohen syndrome is established in a proband with suggestive findings and biallelic pathogenic variants in VPS13B identified by molecular genetic testing.

Management.

Treatment of manifestations: Early educational intervention and physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help address developmental delay and hypotonia; spectacle correction for refractive errors and low vision services for the visually impaired; treatment of recurrent infections per standard care (with caution regarding medications that could decrease neutrophil count); treatment of scoliosis and kyphosis by an experienced orthopedist.

Surveillance: Routing monitoring of growth and weight gain, developmental progress and educational needs, neurologic findings for emergence of new issues, ophthalmologic findings, possible emergence of scoliosis or kyphosis, and neutropenia and infection risk.

Genetic counseling.

Cohen syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. If both parents are known to be heterozygous for a VPS13B pathogenic variant, each sib of an affected individual has at conception a 25% chance of being affected, a 50% chance of being an asymptomatic carrier, and a 25% chance of being unaffected and not a carrier. Once the VPS13B pathogenic variants have been identified in an affected family member, carrier testing for at-risk relatives and prenatal/preimplantation genetic testing are possible.

Diagnosis

No consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for Cohen syndrome have been published.

Suggestive Findings

Cohen syndrome should be suspected in probands with the following clinical findings and family history.

Clinical findings

  • Non-progressive global developmental delay / intellectual disability
  • Hypotonia
  • Retinal dystrophy appearing by mid-childhood
  • Progressive high myopia
  • Acquired microcephaly
  • Neutropenia

Imaging findings. Brain MRI is typically normal.

Family history is consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance (e.g., affected sibs and/or parental consanguinity). Absence of a known family history does not preclude the diagnosis.

Establishing the Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Cohen syndrome is established in a proband with suggestive findings and biallelic pathogenic (or likely pathogenic) variants in VPS13B identified by molecular genetic testing (see Table 1).

Note: (1) Per American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) / Association for Molecular Pathology variant interpretation guidelines, the terms "pathogenic variant" and "likely pathogenic variant" are synonymous in a clinical setting, meaning that both are considered diagnostic and can be used for clinical decision making [Richards et al 2015]. Reference to "pathogenic variants" in this GeneReview is understood to include likely pathogenic variants. (2) Identification of biallelic VPS13B variants of uncertain significance (or of one known VPS13B pathogenic variant and one VPS13B variant of uncertain significance) does not establish or rule out the diagnosis.

Molecular genetic testing approaches can include a combination of gene-targeted testing (single gene testing, multigene panel) and comprehensive genomic testing (exome sequencing, genome sequencing) depending on the phenotype. Gene-targeted testing requires that the clinician determine which gene(s) are likely involved (see Option 1), whereas comprehensive genomic testing does not (see Option 2).

Option 1

When the phenotypic and laboratory findings suggest the diagnosis of Cohen syndrome, molecular genetic testing approaches can include single-gene testing, targeted analysis, or use of a multigene panel.

Option 2

Comprehensive genomic testing does not require the clinician to determine which gene is likely involved. Exome sequencing is most commonly used; genome sequencing is also possible. ACMG and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exome/genome sequencing as first- or second-tier diagnostic testing for children with developmental delay, intellectual disability, and/or multiple congenital anomalies [Manickam et al 2021, Rodan et al 2025]. To date, the majority of VPS13B pathogenic variants reported (e.g., missense, nonsense) are within the coding region and are likely to be identified on exome sequencing [Momtazmanesh et al 2020]; however, intronic variants have been reported [Boschann et al 2020].

For an introduction to comprehensive genomic testing click here. More detailed information for clinicians ordering genomic testing can be found here.

Table 1.

Cohen Syndrome: Molecular Genetic Testing

Gene 1MethodProportion of Pathogenic Variants Identified by Method
VPS13B Targeted analysisc.8459T>C or c.9260dupT>99% in Old Order Amish 2
c.3348_3349delCT 75% of pathogenic variants in Finland 3
Sequence analysis 4~80% 5
Gene targeted deletion/duplication analysis 6~20% 5
1.
2.

H Wang, personal observation

3.
4.

Sequence analysis detects variants that are benign, likely benign, of uncertain significance, likely pathogenic, or pathogenic. Variants may include missense, nonsense, and splice site variants and small intragenic deletions/insertions; typically, exon or whole-gene deletions/duplications are not detected. For issues to consider in interpretation of sequence analysis results, click here.

5.

Data derived from the subscription-based professional view of Human Gene Mutation Database [Stenson et al 2020]

6.

Testing that identifies exon or whole-gene deletions/duplications not detectable by sequence analysis of the coding and flanking intronic regions of genomic DNA. Methods used may include a range of techniques such as quantitative PCR, long-range PCR, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and chromosomal microarray (CMA) that includes this gene/chromosome segment and exome array.

Clinical Characteristics

Clinical Description

To date, more than 300 individuals have been identified with biallelic pathogenic variants in VPS13B [Falk et al 2004, Kolehmainen et al 2004, Mochida et al 2004, Taban et al 2007, Peeters et al 2008, Balikova et al 2009, Momtazmanesh et al 2020]. The following description of the phenotypic features associated with Cohen syndrome is based on these reports.

Phenotypic features of Cohen syndrome are variable and include developmental delay, hypotonia, progressive retinal dystrophy and myopia, acquired microcephaly, joint laxity, characteristic facial features, truncal obesity, cheerful disposition, and neutropenia. The spectrum of these clinical findings ranges from severe to milder.

Note: Certain statistics presented here are from the National Cohen Syndrome Database (NCSD) in which approximately 50% of individuals are Old Order Amish; the diagnosis of Cohen syndrome has been confirmed by molecular genetic testing in most individuals [H Wang, personal observation].

Table 2.

Cohen syndrome: Frequency of Select Features

Feature% of Persons w/FeatureComment
Developmental delay / intellectual disability100%Non-progressive; severity varies even between sibs
Hypotonia90%-100%Improves over time
Microcephaly90%-100%Develops during or after 1st yr of life
Neutropenia90%-100%Neutropenia may be overlooked or diagnosed in early infancy.
Progressive high myopia90%-100%
Retinal dystrophy90%-100%Range reflects that some younger persons may not have reached the age that retinal dystrophy is typically diagnosed.
Truncal obesity80%Appearing in or after mid-childhood w/rapid onset
Neurobehavioral/psychiatric manifestations>75%Cheerful & friendly disposition
Short stature65%

Hypotonia. Half of mothers whose children are included in the NCSD recalled reduced fetal movement during an otherwise normal pregnancy. Most newborns with Cohen syndrome are hypotonic; feeding and breathing difficulties, likely related to hypotonia, are common during the first days of life.

Hypotonia, present in all infants by age one year [Kivitie-Kallio & Norio 2001], appears to improve over time regardless of intervention. Joint laxity and additional musculoskeletal features including kyphosis, scoliosis, and pes planovalgus are likely related to hypotonia. However, a clumsy gait seems to be more disease specific and common [Kivitie-Kallio et al 2000, Chandler et al 2003a].

Developmental delay. All children have delayed developmental milestones in the first year of life. Individuals in the NCSD showed fairly consistent findings on certain developmental milestones compared with other cohorts with Cohen syndrome (see Table 3) [Kivitie-Kallio & Norio 2001, Chandler et al 2003a, Nye et al 2005]. Overall, children with Cohen syndrome attain developmental milestones at a slower rate than average; however, once achieved, psychomotor skills do not regress. At least 20% of individuals are unable to communicate verbally. The degree of developmental delay varies considerably, even among sibs [Horn et al 2000].

Table 3.

Cohen Syndrome: Timing of Achievement of Developmental Milestones

Developmental MilestoneAge at Milestone Achievement
Finnish Cohort 1English Cohort 2NCSD (US) Cohort 3
Roll over4-12 mos--7 months
Sit independently10-18 mos12 months11 mos
Walk independently2-5 yrs2.5 yrs2.5 yrs
Speak first words1-5 yrs2.5 yrs3.2 yrs
Speak in sentences5-6 yrs5 yrs4.2 yrs

Intellectual disability. While cognitive ability varies, most affected individuals are in the moderate-to-profound range of intellectual disability [Kivitie-Kallio et al 1999b, Chandler et al 2003b, Karpf et al 2004]. While the ability to function independently is generally poor, socialization skills are relatively less impaired. Individuals with Cohen syndrome are typically described as having a "cheerful and friendly disposition."

Ophthalmologic

  • Progressive high myopia. Individuals with Cohen syndrome had a first ophthalmologic visit at an average age of 4.5 years, when they received their first pair of glasses.
    The progressive myopia and late-onset lens subluxation that occur in some individuals result from progressive laxity of zonules and progressive rounding up of the lens (spherophakia). Older individuals can have tremulousness of the iris (iridodonesis) because of lens subluxation and/or microspherophakia.
  • Retinal dystrophy. Defective dark adaptation / night blindness (nyctalopia) indicating rod involvement was typically noticed after age seven years. However, studies of children younger than age five years had both abnormal retinal findings and changes on the electroretinogram (ERG) [Chandler et al 2002] as well as marked progression of retinal dystrophy over time, with many individuals developing a bull's-eye maculopathy indicating cone involvement and optic nerve atrophy likely secondary to the retinal degeneration.
    More than 70% of individuals in the NCSD fall often or trip easily, most likely because of constriction of peripheral visual fields secondary to retinal dystrophy.
    Of ten individuals from nine families of Italian ancestry, nine had retinal dystrophy and eight had high myopia [Katzaki et al 2007]. Although 20% of individuals in a Greek cohort developed significant visual impairment [Douzgou et al 2011, Douzgou & Petersen 2011], progression to complete blindness has not been reported in other ethnic groups to the authors' knowledge.
  • Other ophthalmologic findings include astigmatism, strabismus, microcornea, microphthalmia, sluggish pupillary reaction, iris atrophy and oval pupil, cataracts, coloboma of the retina or lids, congenital ptosis, and exophthalmos [Taban et al 2007].
    Several individuals have developed cystoid macular edema that responds well to treatment with topical dorzolamide drops [Sevik et al 2021; E Traboulsi, personal observation]. Some individuals have developed glaucoma [Li et al 2018] and retinal detachments [E Traboulsi, personal observation].
    Corneal changes and early-onset cataracts are frequently observed in individuals of Greek ancestry but not in other ethnic groups [Douzgou et al 2011, Douzgou & Petersen 2011].

Short stature. About 65% of individuals in the NCSD have short stature. Adult height in six individuals from three families was at or below the 3rd centile [Peeters et al 2008]. In ten individuals ages five to 52 years from nine families, seven had short stature and eight had truncal obesity; BMI ranged from 21.8 to 32.2 [Katzaki et al 2007]. Extensive evaluations of pituitary, adrenal, and thyroid function in individuals of Finnish descent showed no significant abnormalities [Kivitie-Kallio et al 1999a].

The prevalence of growth hormone deficiency in Cohen syndrome is unknown. Three individuals who had growth hormone deficiency displayed catch-up growth following initiation of growth hormone replacement therapy [H Wang, personal observation].

Truncal obesity. More than 80% of individuals in the NCSD were reported to be underweight during early childhood but overweight afterward. Although poor weight gain is common in infancy and early childhood due to the feeding difficulties and frequent infections, children subsequently become significantly overweight in their teenage years. The obesity tends to be truncal.

The average age of onset of obesity is 11.3 years (14.6 years in individuals of Amish descent and 8.4 years in individuals of non-Amish ancestry). This change usually occurs rapidly over a period of four to six months, with a weight gain of 10-15 kg even though appetite and food intake are not increased and activity is not decreased during this time [H Wang, personal observation].

Neurobehavioral/psychiatric manifestations. Psychological evaluations identified maladaptive and autistic-type behavior in some individuals [Kivitie-Kallio et al 1999b, Chandler et al 2003b, Karpf et al 2004]. Detailed psychometric and behavioral analyses did not identify any severe behavioral problems in six affected adults but confirmed a wide range of dysfunction related to the degree of intellectual disability and visual impairment [Peeters et al 2008]. Aggression and self-injury have been observed occasionally [H Wang, personal observation].

Neutropenia. Neutropenia, observed in all age groups, is usually moderate to mild (i.e., 500-1,200 per microliter) [H Wang, personal observation]. It may be the first presenting manifestation in some younger individuals before other clinical features fully develop [Marti et al 2025]. Low-normal neutrophil counts are common in individuals who do not have frank neutropenia. Because the neutropenia may not necessarily result in an overall low white blood cell count, it may be overlooked for years in some individuals.

While neutropenia is not cyclic and usually not life-threatening [Kivitie-Kallio et al 1997; H Wang, personal observation], some individuals have recurrent infections and aphthous ulcers [Falk et al 2004].

More than 80% of children in the NCSD have had more than five episodes of otitis media per year and most of them had tympanostomy tubes placed during early childhood. Most children also had an average of 2.5 lifetime episodes of pneumonia.

More than 65% of individuals experience repeated oral mucosal ulcers and gingival infections for which prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) therapy has commonly been used.

Results of bone marrow examinations reported by Kivitie-Kallio & Norio [2001] showed a normocellular or hypercellular marrow, with a left-shifted granulopoiesis in about half of affected individuals [Kivitie-Kallio & Norio 2001].

While neutropenia may contribute to the compromised immune function in some individuals, it is unknown if it is the sole cause. The frequency and severity of infections does not appear to correlate with absolute neutrophil count (ANC), as individuals with and without frequent infections have an ANC in the same range as those without increased infections (500-1,200 per microliter).

Hematologic malignancies have not been reported.

Other immune disturbances. De Ravel et al [2002] reported rheumatoid arthritis in one individual. Uveitis and recurrent pericarditis have been seen in a few affected individuals [H Wang, personal observation].

Neurologic. Seizures have been reported in some individuals [Coppola et al 2003, Atabek et al 2004]. Anecdotally, two individuals in the NCSD cohort with epilepsy requiring anti-seizure medications seem to have more severe disease as characterized by more severe intellectual disability and an inability to communicate verbally. Most individuals, however, particularly those older than age five years in the Finnish cohort, were reported to have low-voltage EEGs without irritative spikes or epileptiform foci [Kivitie-Kallio et al 1999b].

Microcephaly usually develops during or after age one year.

Brain MRI of 18 individuals found normal gray and white matter signal intensity but a relatively enlarged corpus callosum compared to 26 controls [Kivitie-Kallio et al 1998]; however, this finding appeared to be subtle and nonspecific.

Distinctive facial features. Typical Cohen syndrome facial features (including thick scalp hair, low posterior hairline, thick eyebrows, long and thick eyelashes, high-arched and wave-shaped palpebral fissures, broad nasal tip, smooth or short philtrum, prominent upper central incisors, and hypotonic appearance) have been described in different ethnicities. Together the short philtrum and prominent upper central incisors result in an open-mouth appearance (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. . Distinctive facial features in two individuals with Cohen syndrome with thick scalp hair, thick eyebrows, wave-shaped eyes, and broad nasal tip.

Figure 1.

Distinctive facial features in two individuals with Cohen syndrome with thick scalp hair, thick eyebrows, wave-shaped eyes, and broad nasal tip. Note that the short philtrum and prominent upper central incisors result in an open-mouth appearance. A. 30-year-old (more...)

Although Horn et al [2000] and Falk et al [2004] also found that while the facial gestalt is quite consistent among affected individuals within a particular ethnic group, it appears to be inconsistent across different ethnicities; e.g., lack of the frontonasal angle together with a short philtrum made the nose appear "overly long" in a cohort from Greece [Bugiani et al 2008]. Nonetheless, taking into consideration that reported individuals have been evaluated by different clinicians, these distinctive facial features present in individuals from different ethnic backgrounds is noteworthy.

Craniofacial and nasopharyngeal abnormalities that can cause management difficulties with anesthesia include micrognathia and high and narrow palate.

Cardiovascular. Although the cardiovascular system is not commonly affected, cardiac evaluation in 22 individuals of Finnish descent identified decreased left ventricular function with advancing age [Kivitie-Kallio et al 1999a].

Other

  • Most infants (95% of those of Amish ancestry and 65% of non-Amish ancestry) have an unusually high-pitched and weak cry. Overall, 80% of parents with children in the NCSD recall this cry resembling that of a kitten mewing. However, this unique cry is frequently overlooked by clinicians and has not been reported in the medical literature. Although the cause is unknown, laryngeal abnormalities postulated to cause the "mewing cry" seen in cri-du-chat syndrome have also been observed in some individuals with Cohen syndrome [Chandler et al 2003a].
  • Constipation is common in all age groups and often needs management with use of stool softeners and laxatives [H Wang, personal observation].

Genotype-Phenotype Correlations

No clinically relevant genotype-phenotype correlations have been identified.

Nomenclature

Cohen et al [1973] described a pattern of abnormalities – intellectual deficiency, hypotonia, obesity, high nasal bridge, and prominent central incisors – observed in a pair of sibs and one unrelated individual. Norio et al [1984] observed six individuals of Finnish descent with the same disorder, known by them as "Pepper syndrome," from the family name.

Cohen-like syndrome or "Jewish-type Cohen" was first reported in a cohort of individuals from Israel [Sack & Friedman 1986]. The concept has since been challenged [Chandler & Clayton-Smith 2002]. The originally reported 39 individuals of Jewish descent in 32 families were macrocephalic and tall with generalized obesity, as opposed to being microcephalic and short with truncal obesity as seen in classic Cohen syndrome. Furthermore, the individuals reported with "Jewish-type Cohen" or Cohen-like syndrome did not have neutropenia or chorioretinal dystrophy – manifestations that are found in all affected individuals of Finnish ancestry [Norio et al 1984]. In fact, no VPS13B pathogenic variants have been found in individuals with "Jewish-type Cohen" or Cohen-like syndrome [Kolehmainen et al 2004]; the authors therefore conclude that these individuals have a clinical and genetic etiology that is distinct from Cohen syndrome. It is notable that this historical mislabeling has caused significant confusion in the characterization of the Cohen syndrome phenotype.

Cohen syndrome may also be referred to as VPS13B-related neurodevelopmental disorder. This term is based on the naming approach proposed by Biesecker et al [2021], in which mendelian disorders are designated by combining the mutated gene and resulting phenotype.

Prevalence

About 300 individuals have been reported with Cohen syndrome since the first described by Cohen et al [1973]. The disorder has been confirmed on almost all continents and in a wide variety of ethnic groups [Falk et al 2004, Hennies et al 2004, Kolehmainen et al 2004, Mochida et al 2004, Kondo et al 2005, Katzaki et al 2007, Taban et al 2007, Bugiani et al 2008, Peeters et al 2008, Balikova et al 2009, Hashmi et al 2020, Kaushik et al 2020, Momtazmanesh et al 2020, Hu et al 2021, Karimzadeh et al 2021, Hussain et al 2023].

Founder variants

  • Finnish population. The 2-bp deletion c.3348_3349delCT accounts for 75% of pathogenic alleles in Finland [Kolehmainen et al 2003]. The phenotype in individuals with this founder variant is comparable to that seen in individuals of non-Finnish descent [Chandler et al 2003a].
  • Old Order Amish population. The two Old Order Amish founder pathogenic variants, c.8459T>C in exon 46 and c.9260dupT in exon 51, occur on the same allele and segregate together. Since the first report of Cohen syndrome in the Ohio Geauga Old Order Amish settlement by Falk et al [2004], more than 50 affected individuals have been identified in this highly consanguineous, isolated population of approximately 25,000 people, indicating a prevalence as high as one in 500. These two founder variants are also found with high prevalence in Amish settlements in Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Collectively, more than 100 individuals have been identified with the same founder variants, indicating a broader impact.

Differential Diagnosis

Several disorders share clinical features with Cohen syndrome, particularly in the first year(s) of life. Disorders suspected in individuals later diagnosed with Cohen syndrome include those in Table 4.

Table 4.

Cohen Syndrome: Differential Diagnosis

Gene(s) / Genetic MechanismDisorderMOIClinical CharacteristicsFeatures of Disorder Distinguishing From Cohen Syndrome
~26 genes incl:
ARL6
BBS1
BBS10
BBS12
BBS2
BBS4
CEP290
MKKS
Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS)AR
  • Cone-rod retinal dystrophy
  • Truncal obesity
  • Postaxial polydactyly
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism &/or genitourinary malformations
  • Renal dysfunction
  • Postaxial polydactyly
  • Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism &/or genitourinary malformations
  • Renal dysfunction
1.5- to 1.8-Mb heterozygous deletion of WBSCR at 7q11.23Williams syndrome (WS)AD 1
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Distinctive facies
  • Connective tissue abnormalities
  • ID (usually mild), a specific cognitive profile, unique personality characteristics
  • Growth abnormalities
  • Endocrine abnormalities
  • Hypotonia & hyperextensible joints
  • Cardiovascular involvement (not common in Cohen syndrome)
  • Endocrine abnormalities
Abnormal DNA methylation w/in PWCR at 15q11.2-q13Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)See footnote 2.
  • Severe hypotonia & feeding difficulties in early infancy
  • In later infancy / early childhood, excessive eating &, unless eating is externally controlled, gradual development of morbid obesity
  • Delayed motor milestones & language development
  • ID
  • Hypogonadism is common.
  • Absence of retinal dystrophy
  • Period of weight gain is assoc w/excessive eating.
  • Different facial features
Chromosome 5p deletionCri-du-chat syndrome (OMIM 123450)See footnote 3.
  • Cardiac defects
  • Microcephaly
  • Hypotonia
  • Severe ID
  • Slow growth
  • High-pitched cat-like cry
  • Characteristic facial features
  • Cardiovascular involvement (not common in Cohen syndrome)
  • Different facial features
Deficient expression or function of maternally inherited UBE3A alleleAngelman syndrome (AS)See footnote 2.
  • Severe DD or ID
  • Severe speech impairment
  • Gait ataxia &/or tremulousness of the limbs
  • Unique behavior w/inappropriate happy demeanor that includes frequent laughing, smiling, & excitability
  • Microcephaly & seizures are common.
  • Seizures & gait ataxia are not common in Cohen syndrome.
  • Absence of retinal dystrophy
  • Different facial features

AD = autosomal dominant; AR = autosomal recessive; DD = developmental delay; ID = intellectual disability; MOI = mode of inheritance; PWCR = Prader-Willi critical region; WBSCR = Williams-Beuren syndrome critical region

1, Typically caused by a de novo genetic alteration

2.

Affected individuals typically represent simplex cases. Reliable recurrence risk assessment requires identification of the underlying genetic mechanism in the proband.

3.

Affected individuals typically represent simplex cases. Recurrence risk is increased if a parent has a predisposing genetic alteration.

Management

No clinical practice guidelines for Cohen syndrome have been published. In the absence of published guidelines, the following recommendations are based on the authors' personal experience managing individuals with this disorder.

Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis

To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with Cohen syndrome, the evaluations summarized in Table 5 (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.

Treatment of Manifestations

There is no cure for Cohen syndrome. Supportive care is recommended. This ideally involves multidisciplinary care by specialists in relevant fields (see Table 6).

Table 6.

Cohen Syndrome: Treatment of Manifestations

Manifestation/ConcernTreatmentConsiderations/Other
Developmental delay / Intellectual disability / Neurobehavioral issues See Developmental Delay / Intellectual Disability Management Issues.
Epilepsy Standardized treatment w/ASM by experienced neurologist
  • Many ASMs may be effective; none has been demonstrated effective specifically for this disorder.
  • Education of parents/caregivers 1
Poor weight gain / Growth deficiency Adequate nutritional support w/dietician consultation
  • Low threshold for clinical feeding eval &/or radiographic swallowing study when showing clinical signs or symptoms of dysphagia.
  • Because of development of significant obesity in most teenagers, gastrostomy tube placement is generally not recommended during early childhood unless severe swallowing dysfunction &/or dysphagia are present.
Constipation Use stool softeners, prokinetics, osmotic agents, or laxatives as needed.By primary care physician &/or gastroenterologist
Scoliosis/kyphosis Standard treatment by experienced orthopedist
Eyes Standard treatment by ophthalmologistFor refractive errors, strabismus
Standard treatment by ophthalmic subspecialistFor more complex findings (e.g., lens abnormalities, retinal dystrophy)
Low vision services
  • Children: through early intervention programs &/or school district
  • Adults: low vision clinic &/or community vision services / OT / mobility services
Neutropenia Standard treatment by hematologistUse of G-CSF is typically based on clinical indication (typically frequency & severity of infections).
Recurrent infections
  • Treat frequent infection (e.g., otitis media & pneumonia) aggressively. Caution is advised using medications that can ↓ neutrophil count; thus, avoid use of sulfa drugs & long-term/repeated use of cephalosporins.
  • Consider earlier placement of myringotomy tubes if indicated.
By primary care physician &/or otolaryngologist
Anesthesia
  • Because of hypotonia & poor cooperation & airway mgmt difficulties due to craniofacial & nasopharyngeal abnormalities, use local anesthesia when general anesthetic can be avoided (notably for routine dental cleaning).
  • General anesthesia should be overseen by anesthesiologist. The preoperative airway assessment should be thoroughly performed, & multiple techniques for difficult airway mgmt should be prepared.
Transition to adult care Develop realistic plans for adult life (see American Epilepsy Society Transitions from Pediatric Epilepsy to Adult Epilepsy Care).Starting by age ~10 yrs
Family/Community
  • Ensure appropriate social work involvement to connect families w/local resources, respite, & support.
  • Coordinate care to manage multiple subspecialty appointments, equipment, medications, & supplies.
  • Ongoing assessment of need for palliative care involvement &/or home nursing
  • Consider involvement in adaptive sports or Special Olympics.

ASM = anti-seizure medication; G-CSF = granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; OT = occupational therapy; PT = physical therapy

1.

Education of parents/caregivers regarding common seizure presentations is appropriate. For information on non-medical interventions and coping strategies for children diagnosed with epilepsy, see Epilepsy Foundation Toolbox.

Developmental Delay / Intellectual Disability Management Issues

The following information represents typical management recommendations for individuals with developmental delay / intellectual disability in the United States; standard recommendations may vary from country to country.

Ages 0-3 years. Referral to an early intervention program is recommended for access to occupational, physical, speech, and feeding therapy as well as infant mental health services, special educators, and sensory impairment specialists. In the US, early intervention is a federally funded program available in all states that provides in-home services to target individual therapy needs.

Ages 3-5 years. In the US, developmental preschool through the local public school district is recommended. Before placement, an evaluation is made to determine needed services and therapies and an individualized education plan (IEP) is developed for those who qualify based on established motor, language, social, or cognitive delay. The early intervention program typically assists with this transition. Developmental preschool is center based; for children too medically unstable to attend, home-based services are provided.

All ages. Consultation with a developmental pediatrician is recommended to ensure the involvement of appropriate community, state, and educational agencies (US) and to support parents in maximizing quality of life. Some issues to consider:

  • IEP services:
    • An IEP provides specially designed instruction and related services to children who qualify.
    • IEP services will be reviewed annually to determine whether any changes are needed.
    • Special education law requires that children participating in an IEP be in the least restrictive environment feasible at school and included in general education as much as possible, when and where appropriate.
    • Vision consultants should be a part of the child's IEP team to support access to academic material.
    • PT, OT, and speech services will be provided in the IEP to the extent that the need affects the child's access to academic material. Beyond that, private supportive therapies based on the affected individual's needs may be considered. Specific recommendations regarding type of therapy can be made by a developmental pediatrician.
    • As a child enters the teen years, a transition plan should be discussed and incorporated in the IEP. For those receiving IEP services, the public school district is required to provide services until age 21.
  • A 504 plan (Section 504: a US federal statute that prohibits discrimination based on disability) can be considered for those who require accommodations or modifications such as front-of-class seating, assistive technology devices, classroom scribes, extra time between classes, modified assignments, and enlarged text.
  • Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) enrollment is recommended. DDA is a US public agency that provides services and support to qualified individuals. Eligibility differs by state but is typically determined by diagnosis and/or associated cognitive/adaptive disabilities.
  • Families with limited income and resources may also qualify for supplemental security income (SSI) for their child with a disability.

Communication issues. Consider evaluation for alternative means of communication (e.g., augmentative and alternative communication [AAC]) for individuals who have expressive language difficulties. An AAC evaluation can be completed by a speech-language pathologist who has expertise in the area. The evaluation will consider cognitive abilities and sensory impairments to determine the most appropriate form of communication. AAC devices can range from low-tech, such as picture exchange communication, to high-tech, such as voice-generating devices. Contrary to popular belief, AAC devices do not hinder verbal development of speech, but rather support optimal speech and language development.

Neurobehavioral/Psychiatric Concerns

Children may qualify for and benefit from interventions used in treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABA therapy is targeted to the individual child's behavioral, social, and adaptive strengths and weaknesses and typically performed one on one with a board-certified behavior analyst.

Consultation with a developmental pediatrician may be helpful in guiding parents through appropriate behavior management strategies or providing prescription medications, such as medication used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, when necessary.

Surveillance

To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized in Table 7 are recommended.

Evaluation of Relatives at Risk

See Genetic Counseling for issues related to testing of at-risk relatives for genetic counseling purposes.

Therapies Under Investigation

Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.

Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling is the process of providing individuals and families with information on the nature, mode(s) of inheritance, and implications of genetic disorders to help them make informed medical and personal decisions. The following section deals with genetic risk assessment and the use of family history and genetic testing to clarify genetic status for family members; it is not meant to address all personal, cultural, or ethical issues that may arise or to substitute for consultation with a genetics professional. —ED.

Mode of Inheritance

Cohen syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.

Risk to Family Members

Parents of a proband

  • The parents of an affected child are presumed to be heterozygous for a VPS13B pathogenic variant.
  • Molecular genetic testing is recommended for the parents of a proband to confirm that both parents are heterozygous for a VPS13B pathogenic variant and to allow reliable recurrence risk assessment.
  • If a pathogenic variant is detected in only one parent and parental identity testing has confirmed biological maternity and paternity, it is possible that one of the pathogenic variants identified in the proband occurred as a de novo event in the proband or as a postzygotic de novo event in a mosaic parent [Jónsson et al 2017]. If the proband appears to have homozygous pathogenic variants (i.e., the same two pathogenic variants), additional possibilities to consider include:
  • Heterozygotes (carriers) are asymptomatic and are not at risk of developing the disorder.

Sibs of a proband

  • If both parents are known to be heterozygous for a VPS13B pathogenic variant, each sib of an affected individual has at conception a 25% chance of being affected, a 50% chance of being an asymptomatic carrier, and a 25% chance of being unaffected and not a carrier.
  • Heterozygotes (carriers) are asymptomatic and are not at risk of developing the disorder.

Offspring of a proband. The offspring of an individual with Cohen syndrome are obligate heterozygotes (carriers) for a pathogenic variant in VPS13B.

Other family members. Each sib of the proband's parents is at a 50% risk of being a carrier of a VPS13B pathogenic variant.

Carrier Detection

Carrier testing for at-risk relatives requires prior identification of the VPS13B pathogenic variants in the family.

Related Genetic Counseling Issues

Family planning

  • The optimal time for determination of genetic risk discussion of the availability of prenatal/preimplantation genetic testing is before pregnancy.
  • It is appropriate to offer genetic counseling (including discussion of potential risks to offspring and reproductive options) to young adults who are carriers or are at risk of being carriers.
  • Carrier testing should be considered for the reproductive partners of known carriers, particularly if both partners are of the same ancestry. Founder variants have been identified in Finnish and Amish populations (see Table 8).

Prenatal Testing and Preimplantation Genetic Testing

Once the VPS13B pathogenic variants have been identified in an affected family member, prenatal and preimplantation genetic testing are possible.

Differences in perspective may exist among medical professionals and within families regarding the use of prenatal and preimplantation genetic testing. While most health care professionals would consider use of prenatal and preimplantation genetic testing to be a personal decision, discussion of these issues may be helpful.

Resources

GeneReviews staff has selected the following disease-specific and/or umbrella support organizations and/or registries for the benefit of individuals with this disorder and their families. GeneReviews is not responsible for the information provided by other organizations. For information on selection criteria, click here.

  • Cohen Syndrome Association
    The Cohen Syndrome Association was founded by parents to raise awareness of this disease with the goal of educating parents and professionals to assure earlier diagnosis and medical interventions.
    Email: info@cohen-syndrome.org
  • Cohen Syndrome Research Foundation
  • CDC - Child Development
    Phone: 800-232-4636
  • Macular Degeneration Support
    Free information and personal assistance for people dealing with macular degeneration and similar retinal diseases
    Email: director@mdsupport.org
  • National Neutropenia Network
    Phone: 866-600-0799
    Email: jeanne@neutropenianet.org
  • European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) Registry
    Email: esid-registry@uniklinik-freiburg.de
  • Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry
    Phone: 49-511-557105

Molecular Genetics

Information in the Molecular Genetics and OMIM tables may differ from that elsewhere in the GeneReview: tables may contain more recent information. —ED.

Table A.

Cohen Syndrome: Genes and Databases

Data are compiled from the following standard references: gene from HGNC; chromosome locus from OMIM; protein from UniProt. For a description of databases (Locus Specific, HGMD, ClinVar) to which links are provided, click here.

Table B.

OMIM Entries for Cohen Syndrome (View All in OMIM)

216550COHEN SYNDROME; COH1
607817VACUOLAR PROTEIN SORTING 13 HOMOLOG B; VPS13B

Molecular Pathogenesis

VPS13B encodes intermembrane lipid transfer protein VPS13B, a large transmembrane protein that localizes mainly to the Golgi complex, where it is involved in maintenance of the Golgi structure, vesicle-mediated protein sorting, and intracellular trafficking. It also plays a role in endosomal-lysosomal transport. Loss-of-function pathogenic variants in VPS13B impair Golgi integrity and disrupt glycosylation of proteins, leading to abnormal processing and trafficking of cellular proteins and lipids between Golgi, endosomes, lysosomes, and plasma membranes. This affects multiple cell types, particularly neurons, immune cells, and retinal cells, which are highly dependent on proper protein processing. As such, deficiency of VPS13B results in the multisystem manifestations of Cohen syndrome, particularly affecting the brain, retina, immune system, and metabolism. For a more in-depth discussion of the molecular mechanisms of VPS13B functioning, see Seifert et al [2015] and Ugur et al [2024].

Mechanism of disease causation. Loss of function

Missing variants. If molecular genetic testing has identified only one VPS13B pathogenic variant in the proband, additional possibilities to consider include the following:

Table 8.

VPS13B Pathogenic Variants Referenced in This GeneReview

Reference SequencesDNA Nucleotide Change
(Alias 1)
Predicted Protein ChangeComment
NM_017890​.4
NP_060360​.3
c.3348_3349delCTp.Cys1117PhefsTer8Founder variant in Finnish population that accounts for 75% of VPS13B pathogenic variants in Finland [Kolehmainen et al 2003]
c.8459T>Cp.Ile2820ThrFounder variants that occur on the same allele in the Ohio Geauga Old Order Amish settlement & segregate together [Falk et al 2004]
c.9260dupT
(9258_9259insT)
p.Leu3087PhefsTer20

Variants listed in the table have been provided by the authors. GeneReviews staff have not independently verified the classification of variants.

GeneReviews follows the standard naming conventions of the Human Genome Variation Society (varnomen​.hgvs.org). See Quick Reference for an explanation of nomenclature.

1.

Variant designation that does not conform to current naming conventions

Chapter Notes

Author Notes

Dr Heng Wang is a board-certified pediatrician and Medical Director of DDC Clinic, Center for Special Needs Children in Middlefield, Ohio. The Center is a unique collaboration between Amish communities, medical professionals, and research scientists, and it has become widely recognized as a leading facility for the diagnosis and treatment of several rare genetic disorders, including Cohen syndrome.

Dr Wang and his team at DDC Clinic currently manage more than 150 patients with Cohen syndrome worldwide. Since the early 2000s, he has worked with this large cohort, conducting both clinical and laboratory research, particularly on natural history and treatment protocols.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Dr Wang directs the DDC Clinic's CLIA-certified molecular diagnostics laboratory. Under his leadership, the laboratory has employed cutting-edge technology to make Cohen syndrome diagnosis more affordable, particularly benefiting the Amish community. Dr Wang is widely published and is a frequent speaker on Cohen syndrome at medical conferences and family gatherings across the globe.

In 2004, Dr Wang's team at DDC Clinic hosted the first annual Cohen Syndrome Family Gathering. By 2008, the Cohen Syndrome Association was formally established with the goal of raising awareness and educating both parents and medical professionals about this rare condition. Dr Wang has served on the Association's Medical Advisory Board since its inception.

Website for Dr Wang

Dr Baozhong Xin is a Research Scientist and Technical Director of the CLIA-certified molecular diagnostics laboratory at DDC Clinic. With more than 20 years of experience diagnosing rare and ultra-rare genetic conditions, including Cohen syndrome, he brings extensive expertise to the clinic's research and diagnostic programs. His work has contributed to improving the accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility of molecular genetic testing for diverse patient populations.

Dr Xin welcomes inquiries about molecular genetic testing for Cohen syndrome.

Website for Dr Xin

Dr Elias I Traboulsi is a clinical geneticist whose practice is restricted to diagnosis and management of patients with inherited eye diseases and those with inherited systemic diseases with ocular manifestations such as Cohen syndrome. His research interests relate to the clinical manifestations, natural history, and support and treatment of such patients.

Dr Traboulsi is actively involved in clinical research regarding individuals with Cohen syndrome. He would be happy to communicate with persons who have any questions regarding diagnosis of Cohen syndrome or other considerations.

Website for Dr Traboulsi

Acknowledgments

We are very grateful for the patients and families affected by Cohen syndrome for whom we have had the privilege to provide professional services. Much knowledge of clinical findings and insight into management has been gleaned from them over years. Without their continued support, this chapter would not be possible. We are also thankful to the colleagues who worked with us in our clinical services and research throughout the years, as well as the knowledge gained from other experts on Cohen syndrome.

Author History

Marni J Falk, MD; The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (2006-2025)
Elias I Traboulsi, MD, MEd (2006-present)
Heng Wang, MD, PhD (2006-present)
Christine Wensel, MS (2016-present)
Baozhong Xin, PhD (2025-present)

Revision History

  • 4 December 2025 (bp) Comprehensive update posted live
  • 21 July 2016 (sw) Comprehensive update posted live
  • 10 March 2011 (me) Comprehensive update posted live
  • 29 August 2006 (me) Review posted live
  • 18 April 2006 (mjf) Original submission

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