Discover Allos Pharma’s advancements in a pivotal Phase 3 trial for Fragile X syndrome treatment, Arbaclofen. Learn how their FDA-informed trial design might finally bring hope to the Fragile X community.
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Modeling Fragile X Syndrome using Multi-Region Human Brain Organoids
Discover groundbreaking research at UCI by Dr. Watanabe and Dr. Tsai. Using cutting-edge organoid technology, they’re modeling Fragile X brain function and advancing potential treatment testing.
Read moreFragile X Syndrome and Cancer Research: Unexpected Links and Opportunities for Collaboration
Discover unexpected links between Fragile X Syndrome and cancer. Studies show people with Fragile X have much lower cancer rates. Explore new opportunities for collaboration in this promising research.
Read moreUsing Exosomes to Discover Fragile X Biomarkers
How can a blood test give an accurate picture of brain activity? With this grant from FRAXA, Dr. Martire and Dr. Boussadia will try to use unique particles called exosomes – which can travel from brain cells to the blood stream – to evaluate the effects treatments are having on the brain.
Read moreFRAXA Investigator Lynne Maquat Awarded 2023 Gruber Genetics Prize
Dr. Maquat, 2023 Gruber Genetics Prize winner, discovered NMD, a key surveillance system in the body that protects against mistakes in gene expression. Her groundbreaking research has led to new therapies for Fragile X syndrome.
Read moreRecruiting: Tetra Therapeutics Initiates Phase 2B/3 Clinical Studies in Fragile X Syndrome
Tetra Therapeutics has launched large scale clinical trials of their phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor for males ages 12-45 with Fragile X syndrome. FRAXA Research Foundation’s basic and translational research pointed the way to phosphodiesterase inhibitors to treat Fragile X.
Read moreTargeting Cognitive Function in Fragile X Syndrome
It has long been assumed that the differences between males and females with Fragile X were simply a matter of degree, with males being more severely affected. But gender differences may be far reaching. This team is working to understand imbalances in how the brain’s neurons transmit signals, with a focus on how differently males and females learn and experience anxiety. They are studying two neuronal pathways which are promising targets for treatment.
Read more10 Year Vision for Fragile X Research – Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis & Dr. Patricia Cogram
In this video we hear from FRAXA Investigators Dr. Patricia Cogram, Professor at the University of Chile, and Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis, Professor at Rush University Medical Center as they reflect on the progress that has been made and visualize what they see happening in the next 10 years for people living with Fragile X syndrome.
Read moreAstrocyte Contribution to Sensory Hypersensitivity in Fragile X Syndrome
Most Fragile X research has focused on one type of brain cells: neurons. But mounting evidence point to problems with astrocytes, star-shaped cells which are vitally important to normal brain function. This team is working to understand how astrocytes are involved in Fragile X and develop treatment approaches that targets astrocytes alone.
Read moreDevelopmental Motor Phenotype in Fragile X Syndrome
One of the lesser known signs of Fragile X is unsteady walking. This is also very easy to evaluate in the clinic: no blood tests are required! With a $100,000 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation, this team will develop objective new outcome measures of gait for future treatment trials and also to see if exercise could improve other symptoms of Fragile X.
Read morePharmacological Modulation of Nicotinic Signaling
Nicotine — familiar to any smoker — tickles nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain. These receptors are key to important brain functions including learning and memory. This team will explore whether drugs that dampen these receptors can improve cognitive function in Fragile X.
Read moreSigma-1 Receptor as a Therapeutic Target for Fragile X Syndrome
Dr. Pouladi’s team is exploring a treatment of Fragile X via the sigma-1 receptor. Drugs that boost activity at sigma receptors tend to calm down overactive neurons. They are also powerful anti-inflammatory drugs.
Read moreFragile 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.
Read moreVersatile Drug Screening Platform for Fragile X Syndrome
Many experts believe that combinations of drugs may be needed to best treat Fragile X syndrome. How can we find the best combinations in the ideal doses? This project — a collaboration between a top university research team and an innovative AI startup both based in Belgium — tackles this challenge.
Read moreHuman FMR1 Isoform-Specific Regulation of Translation and Behavior
Fragile X syndrome is caused by lack of one protein, FMRP. But this one protein occurs in different variations. Do the different versions of FMRP have different roles in the brain, and if so, is there one that’s key? If we could replace FMRP to treat Fragile X syndrome, which version would we use?
Read moreFunctional 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.
Read moreReactivating the FMR1 Gene to Reverse Fragile X Syndrome
FRAXA has awarded $140,000 to Dr. Jeannie Lee and Dr. Hungoo Lee at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. This team is targeting the root cause of Fragile X syndrome: a silenced single gene, called FMR1.
Read moreTargeting Serotonin 1A Receptors in Fmr1 Knockout Mice
Dr. Canal has discovered a promising treatment approach for Fragile X syndrome: new compounds which specifically and potently boost serotonin in the brain. The target is the brain’s serotonin 1A receptor.
Read moreTranscriptional 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.
Read moreCharacterization and Modulation of microRNAs in Fragile X Syndrome
Could microRNAs be a new path to treatment of Fragile X syndrome? MicroRNAs are disrupted in Fragile X, and so this team will work to understand what is going wrong and explore ways to correct it with drugs which directly target microRNAs.
Read moreRepurposing FDA-Approved Drugs to Treat Major Depressive Disorder in Fragile X Syndrome
Did you know that depression is more common in those with autism and/or Fragile X? Even more disturbing is the discovery that current treatments for depression do not work in Fragile X mice. With this grant, the team will work to develop a rapid screening tool to identify FDA-approved drugs which can treat depression in people with Fragile X syndrome.
Read moremRNA Therapy for Fragile X Syndrome
Dr. Kathryn Whitehead, Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, helped develop the revolutionary science behind the COVID-19 vaccines. With a $103,000 grant from FRAXA, her team will now adapt this technology to deliver the missing Fragile X protein, to treat people who have Fragile X syndrome.
Read moreRecruiting: BRIDGE Study (BRain Indicators of Developmental Growth)
This study from the Wilkinson Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital is investigating how differences in brain activity affect learning, language and behavior in children with Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. One of the goals is to find brain markers that predict cognitive, language, and behavioral difficulties in these groups. Another goal is to better understand the differences in brain activity between young children with and without Fragile X and Down Syndrome, and whether these differences are similar in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Read moreRecruiting: Clinical Study of Non-Invasive EEG for Children Ages 2-7
Dr. Carol Wilkinson, MD PhD, and Dr. Charles Nelson, PhD, at Boston Children’s Hospital are recruiting children ages 2-7 years with Fragile X syndrome to participate in a study of brain differences using non-invasive EEG.
Read moreCorrecting Fragile X Syndrome Deficits by Targeting Neonatal PKCε Signaling in the Brain
With this $90,000 grant from 2017-2018, Dr. Banerjee’s team has shown that enhancing PKCε can correct brain development and abnormal behaviors in Fragile X knockout mice and had their findings published in PubMed.
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