Roles of Postnatal Transient Connectivity in the Development of Fragile X Syndrome

A $100,000 FRAXA research grant awarded to Gabrielle Pouchelon, PhD, and Dimitri Dumontier, PhD, at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory fuels groundbreaking research on Fragile X syndrome. Their work focuses on understanding sensory sensitivities and developing a noninvasive screening method, a potential game-changer for families affected by Fragile X syndrome.

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Validating Novel Inhibitors of ERK Signalling to Treat Fragile X Syndrome

One promising treatment approach for Fragile X syndrome is to inhibit on a neuronal pathway, ERK. ERK inhibitors are also being studied as treatments for other disorders including autism.
This team has conducted pilot studies showing that ERK inhibitors are very effective in reversing signs of disease in Fragile X mice. With this grant from FRAXA they will take the next steps toward possible clinical trials of an ERK inhibitor for individuals who have Fragile X syndrome.

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Fragile X Clinical Trial of New PDE4D Inhibitor from Tetra

With a $200,043 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation, Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis completed a successful Phase 2 clinical trial of a PDE4 inhibitor for adult men with Fragile X syndrome. This trial treated 30 males, 18-45 years of age with a new PDE4D allosteric inhibitor from Tetra Discovery Partners using a crossover design, so that everyone got active drug for part of the time and placebo for part of the time.

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Functional and Genomic Characterization of Interneurons in the Fmr1-KO Mouse Brain

The brain’s balance is maintained by two types of neurons: those that excite and those that inhibit activity. Like yin and yang, this balance is essential. This team has found fewer than normal inhibitory cells in the brains of Fragile X mice. They are now working to pinpoint this abnormality and find ways to restore the normal balance and function.

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Transcriptional Signatures Sensitive to Cognition-Improving Pharmacological Treatments in Fragile X Syndrome

The Fragile X field needs biomarkers to accurately measure the effects of potential treatments in both Fragile X mice and in humans. Dr. Ozaita and his team have found molecular features in the brain that can serve as an objective signature for the syndrome. They will use this tool to test cannabidiol and two other drugs in mice.

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