Clinical Trials in Fragile X Syndrome
To all who have loved ones impacted by Fragile X syndrome, we sincerely thank you for your interest in clinical trials. These trials are beacons of hope during challenging times, and your curiosity and engagement are instrumental in pushing this important research forward.
As a further resource, we offer an enlightening video discussion featuring Holly Roos and Katie Clapp, both mothers to young adults with Fragile X and key figures in FRAXA. Their personal experiences provide unique and heartfelt perspectives on the journey through Fragile X clinical trials.
We understand that you might have questions about what participating in a clinical trial entails. Each study is supervised by a medical professional specializing in Fragile X syndrome. Participation is free, with no need to inform your insurance provider and the freedom to withdraw at any time. Typically, travel expenses are covered.
It's important to know that the FDA usually mandates two successful large-scale clinical trials before considering the approval of a new treatment, however for rare conditions like Fragile X syndrome, one trial with strong results may be sufficient. Upon successful trials and subsequent FDA approval, new drugs become accessible to others diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome, hopefully improving the quality of life for many individuals and families.
Ongoing Fragile X Studies Accepting Participants
Recruiting: Mirum Launches Clinical Trial of MRM-3379 for Fragile X Syndrome
Mirum’s MRM-3379 Phase 2 trial builds on FRAXA-funded PDE4D research and is now enrolling males ages 13–45 with Fragile X syndrome. View eligibility and study sites.
Additional Fragile X Clinical Trials
Please visit clinicaltrials.gov for a complete listing of Fragile X syndrome clinical trials.
Completed Fragile X Trials: A Journey Towards Progress
Shionogi’s EXPERIENCE Phase 3 Clinical Trial of Zatolmilast in Fragile X Syndrome
Learn more about Shionogi’s EXPERIENCE clinical trials for adults and adolescents with Fragile X syndrome, FRAXA’s role, and the open-label extension of these trials.
Developmental Motor Phenotype in Fragile X Syndrome
A little known sign of Fragile X is unsteady walking. This team is developing outcome measures of gait for future treatment trials. Results published.
Clinical Study of Non-Invasive EEG for Children Ages 2-7
Dr. Carol Wilkinson, MD PhD at Boston Children’s Hospital recruited children ages 2-7 years with Fragile X syndrome to participate in a study of EEG.
Fragile X Unplugged: Establishing Mobile EEG as the Next Frontier
A $100,000 FRAXA grant to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is simplifying and testing EEG technology for home use, improving clinical trial accessibility and efficiency.
Somatosensory Processing as a Therapeutic Target for Fragile X Syndrome
FRAXA-funded researchers in Edinburgh assessed a noninvasive touch test that could be used for clinical trials in Fragile X syndrome.
Fragile X Clinical Trial of New PDE4D Inhibitor from Tetra
A $200K FRAXA grant enabled a successful Phase 2 trial of a PDE4D inhibitor for adult men with Fragile X, showing strong cognitive gains without side effects or tolerance.
Lovamix: Clinical Trial of Combined Treatment of Minocycline and Lovastatin in Fragile X Syndrome
FRAXA funded the LovaMiX trial of lovastatin + minocycline for Fragile X. 2022 results show safety and support continued study of this dual-target treatment approach.
Clinical Trial of Metformin for Fragile X Syndrome
FRAXA-funded open-label trial found that metformin led to increased GABA-mediated cortical inhibition, suggesting metformin modulates core Fragile X pathways.
Purposeful and FRAXA Partnership Leads to Clinical Trial
AI and FRAXA-DVI identified a drug + supplement combo that reversed all Fragile X symptoms in mice. A clinical trial tested this in adults with Fragile X.
Link Between Lipid Profile, eCBome System and Gut Microbiome in Fragile X Syndrome
Why does obesity challenge so many people with Fragile X? Dr. Caku’s team has found that Fragile X syndrome causes changes in the tiny organisms that live in our gut.
Positive Results Reported in Phase II Fragile X Clinical Trial of PDE4D Inhibitor Zatolmilast from Tetra Therapeutics
Today, Tetra Therapeutics announces the first unequivocally positive phase 2 clinical trial in Fragile X syndrome, press release below. The results do not depend on carving out a subset of patients or post hoc analysis.
fNIRS to Measure Treatment Response in Young Children with Fragile X
The team tested functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). fNIRS uses light sources and sensors on the scalp to build a heat map of the brain in action.
Fragile X Clinical Trial of AZD7325 in Adults
FRAXA funded a trial of AZD7325, a drug that boosts GABA(A), in adults with Fragile X. Led by Dr. Craig Erickson, it also tested innovative biomarkers for future trials.
Brain Imbalance Target of Dr. Erickson’s New Clinical Trial
According to Dr. Erickson, AZD7325 is a drug that selectively boosts GABA neurotransmission in the brain. GABA is the primary neurochemical in the brain that blocks brain activation. GABA activity is in balance in the brain with Glutamate activity, which is the primary neurochemical that causes brain activation. In Fragile X, GABA activity is insufficient and glutamate activity is excessive, likely causing brain activity to be out of balance. AZD7325 attempts to correct parts of this imbalance by boosting the insufficient GABA activity in the brains of people with Fragile X.
Clinical Trial of Ganaxolone in Patients with Fragile X Syndrome
Dr. Frank Kooy and colleagues conducted a double blind crossover trial of ganaxolone in patients with Fragile X with FRAXA funding. Results of this study were mixed.
Neural Markers of Fragile X: A Powerful New Tool for Clinical Trials
Once the neural marker is identified for a particular challenge, such as kids with poor language versus good language, neural markers can be measured during drug and behavioral therapy trials to see if a child is improving based on objective biological measures.
Trial and No Error: Better Outcomes for Clinical Trials in Fragile X Syndrome
Johns Hopkins researcher Christina Timmerman, PhD, searches for a less subjective method to determine if a drug is working in patients with Fragile X syndrome. Many parents of children with Fragile X syndrome were crushed when promising drug trials were unexpectedly stopped a few years ago because subjective behavior-based outcome measures did not justify continuing the trials. The strong feelings linger today. If all goes well with Christina Timmerman’s research, future drug trials may be able to continue with additional metrics for assessment, until there are advanced treatments or even a cure for Fragile X syndrome.
Double Down: Fragile X Clinical Trial Combines Two Available Drugs
If all the science world’s a stage, Fragile X researchers are more than merely players. They are center stage. So believes Francois Corbin, MD, PhD, professor, Université de Sherbrooke, Canada, who directs the university’s Fragile X Clinic. Corbin, who has received more than $100,000 in FRAXA support since 2012, is leading a pilot randomized Phase II trial, exploring the tolerability and the synergistic effect of a combined therapy.
Neuren’s Tofinetide Successful in Phase 2 Clinical Trial in Fragile X
We are pleased to share great news adapted from Neuren’s press release: Neuren’s phase 2 trial has successfully established proof of concept and provides a strong rationale for Neuren to move forward with developing trofinetide for Fragile X syndrome. In this initial small trial with a relatively short treatment period, trofinetide was very well tolerated, with the high dose (70 mg/kg twice daily) demonstrating a consistent pattern of clinical improvement, observed in both clinician and caregiver assessments.
Analysis of Developmental Brain Dysfunction in Families
No strong behavioral similarities were found between parents and children with Fragile X, indicating family history may not guide clinical trial recruitment.