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Miklos Toth, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Ji-eun Oh, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Associate
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
FRAXA Awards:
$45,000 in 2009
$60,000 in 2006
$50,000 in 2004
by Ji-eun Oh, 5/2009
Changes in the epigenetic status of genes have recently been implicated in several neurological and psychiatric diseases. Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation (at CpG dinucleotides) and secondary histone modifications (i.e. acetylation and methylation) have physiological and behavioral consequences similar to genetic mutations but do not involve changes in the DNA sequence.
In the context of the fragile X syndrome, epigenetics has been limited to the study of the FMR-1 gene itself because its inactivation by DNA methylation triggers the onset of the disease. Here we hypothesize that epigenetic changes in fragile X are much more widespread because FMRP-1 is a translational inhibitor and could alter the expression of enzymes responsible for DNA methylation and histone modifications. Also FMRP binds a specific set of RNAs, called miRNAs, that are involved in epigenetic modifications. Therefore, absence of FMRP in fragile X could lead to genome-wide epigenetic modifications involving many genes with pathogenic roles in the disease. Reversing these epigenetic marks would represent a new strategy in the treatment of fragile X.
Funded from 2004-2006
Note 6/09: An exciting aspect of this project is that it evaluated an already approved drug. Based on the positive results
of this study and additional confirming evidence, a trial of baclofen is now in progress in patients with Fragile X.
by Miklos Toth, 10/2006
The absence of FMRP in fragile X syndrome, besides cognitive abnormalities, is associated with
hyperactivity and heightened sensory sensitivity. The hyperactivity is similar to the behavioral
abnormality seen in attention deficit disorders. The sensory hyper-reactivity is manifested as
anxiety and sensory defensiveness to visual, tactile and auditory stimuli. Abnormal auditory
processing in fragile X can underlie inattention, poor listening skill and difficulty in speech-understanding.
Some of the symptoms of fragile X can be reproduced in the FMRP deficient mouse strain. Indeed, FMRP deficient
mice have constitutive hyperactivity and sensory hyper-reactivity manifested as abnormal sound induced reflexes
and even seizures.
The aim of our research is to identify drugs that can correct behavioral abnormalities in FMRP deficient mice.
Since both the hyperactivity and the sensory hyper-reactivity could be due to increased neuronal excitability,
we tested if augmenting inhibitory neurotransmission, mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), alleviates
these behavioral abnormalities. We have found that administration of the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen
normalizes the hyperactivity of FMRP deficient mice. Although its use in the treatment of fragile X syndrome
would be a new application, baclofen (Lioresal®) has long been used in and approved for the treatment of reversible
spasticity in multiple sclerosis and severe spasticity in patients with spinal cord injury. These applications
demonstrated a good safety profile for baclofen.
Importantly, FMRP deficient mice are more sensitive than normal
animals to baclofen, and that allows the use of an otherwise suboptimal or ineffective dose to normalize the
hyperactivity. Nevertheless, tolerance develops against baclofen and therefore we are currently testing
additional drugs and drug combinations that are expected to induce less or no tolerance to the drug(s).
An additional benefit of these combinations is that they reduce anxiety, a frequent symptom in fragile X.
Based on these data, targeting the GABA system/GABA(B) receptors could represent a novel therapeutic approach
in the treatment of fragile X syndrome.
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