Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene; MeCP2 regulates the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and increasing BDNF levels ameliorates RTT symptoms. The gene discussed is BDNF; the disease is atypical Rett syndrome.