FRAXA Drug Validation Initiative (FRAXA-DVI)
The FRAXA Drug Validation Initiative (FRAXA-DVI) provides speedy, cost-effective, objective preclinical testing to validate investigational and repurposed compounds for Fragile X.
Recruiting: Clinical Study of Non-Invasive EEG for Children Ages 2-7
Dr. Carol Wilkinson, MD PhD at Boston Children’s Hospital is recruiting children ages 2-7 years with Fragile X syndrome to participate in a study of EEG.
Correcting Fragile X Syndrome Deficits by Targeting Neonatal PKCε Signaling in the Brain
Enhancing PKCε in early development normalized oxytocin, AMPAR signaling, and adult behavior in Fragile X mice, highlighting PKCε as a promising therapeutic target.
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.
Auditory Dysfunction in Fragile X Syndrome in a Mouse Model of Fragile X
FRAXA-funded studies found Fragile X mice show altered auditory circuit function with delayed startle timing and reduced prepulse inhibition, mirroring human sound sensitivity.
Genome-wide Screen for FMR1 Reactivation in Human FXS Neural Cells
This team aims to turn the FMR1 gene back on in Fragile X by identifying factors that reactivate the silenced gene and restore production of the missing FMRP protein.
Novel Modulators of Potassium Channels to Treat Fragile X
FRAXA-funded Yale research showed disrupted Kv3.1 and Slack potassium channels impair neuronal timing in Fragile X. Published findings support Kv3.1 as a treatment target.
Research Points to Drugs which Inhibit PDE to Treat Fragile X
FRAXA-funded work identified PDE enzymes as key targets in Fragile X, showing that PDE inhibitors can fix signaling and boost synaptic function. PDE4D trials are underway.
Metformin and Aberrant Insulin Signaling in a Fragile X Mouse Model
FRAXA-funded research is revealing how insulin signaling is altered in Fragile X and whether lowering it, including with metformin, could ease symptoms.
NKCC1 Inhibitor Bumetanide Corrects Synaptic and Circuit Hyperexcitability in Fragile X Mouse Model
Dr. Anis Contractor and Dr. Qionger He investigated the potential of the available drug bumetanide to correct altered GABA signalling in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome.
Non-Invasive Imaging as a Biomarker for Fragile X Clinical Trials
FRAXA funded MRI research to track brain connectivity changes in Fragile X. This could yield objective biomarkers for testing treatments in mice and humans.
Repurposing Study II: Evaluating Combinations of Drugs to Treat Fragile X
FRAXA partnered with Healx to use AI to find approved drugs and drug combos that could treat Fragile X. Top candidates are now being tested in Fragile X models.
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.
Combinatorial Drug Treatment in a Model of Fragile X Syndrome using Novel Biomarkers
University of California researchers Khaleel Razak, PhD, and Jonathan W. Lovelace, PhD, explored drug combinations to limit hypersensitivity to sounds in Fragile X mice.
MicroRNA Mediated Astroglial GLT1 Dysregulation in Fragile X
The team studied how glial cells, especially astrocytes, affect Fragile X. They tested microRNAs to restore GLT1 and reduce excess glutamate linked to brain hyperexcitability.
Autophagy is a Novel Therapeutic Target of Impaired Cognition in Fragile X Syndrome
FRAXA’s $90K grant enabled Dr. Zukin to link impaired autophagy to Fragile X. Boosting autophagy restored synaptic proteins and reversed cognitive deficits in mice.
Quantitative Assessment of the Serotonin System in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome
FRAXA funded Dr. Canal to investigate how different serotonin receptors function in Fragile X, to guide smarter use of serotonin-targeting treatments.
Targeted Transcriptional Reactivation of FMR1 in Fragile X Syndrome Stem Cells
FRAXA funded Dr. Peter Todd to use CRISPR to reactivate FMR1. Published results confirmed restored gene expression, a big step toward disease-modifying therapy.
Investigating Gene Reactivation to Treat Fragile X Syndrome
With a $180,000 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation, Dr. Jeannie Lee and her team at Harvard are working to reactivate the gene that is silenced in Fragile X syndrome.
Mechanisms of Tolerance to Chronic mGluR5 Inhibition
FRAXA supported research showing mGluR5 antagonist tolerance develops quickly in Fragile X models, guiding new strategies to prevent or overcome it.
Prefrontal Cortex Network (PFC) Dynamics in Fragile X Syndrome
The team has shown that Fragile X mice have major prefrontal cortex deficits in Fragile X mice. Finding ways to overcome this could reveal new intervention strategies.
Preclinical Testing of Sleep-Wake Patterns as an Outcome Measure for Fragile X
FRAXA Research Foundation awarded $122,000 to Dr. Cara Westmark at the University of Wisconsin at Madison for studies of sleep disorders in Fragile X syndrome.
Which is the right FMRP for Therapeutic Development of Fragile X Syndrome?
Many forms of FMRP exist in the brain. This project aims to pinpoint which versions of the protein are most critical to restore for effective Fragile X treatments.
A Kinase Assay as a Biomarker for Fragile X Syndrome
Dr. Frank Kooy at the University of Antwerp investigated whether phosphorylation abnormalities are a suitable biomarker for clinical trials in Fragile X syndrome.