Kaczmarek, Leonard Archives

Close-up illustration of a neuron and synapses symbolizing brain signaling and BK channel activity in Fragile X syndrome

Opening the Gate: BK Channel Modulation as a Promising Treatment Strategy for Fragile X Syndrome

April 2, 2026

Fragile X syndrome research is opening the door to BK channel therapies that may calm hyperexcitable brain circuits and improve key symptoms.

Slack Potassium Channel Inhibitors to Normalize FMR1 Knockout Mice

August 14, 2023

FRAXA research grant enabled Yale researchers to investigate whether Slack potassium channel inhibitors can normalize behaviors in FMR1 knockout mice.

Potassium Channel Modulators to Treat Fragile X

November 7, 2019

FRAXA-backed Yale discoveries tied Fragile X to Kv3.1/Slack channel defects—leading to a partnership with Autifony to develop targeted treatments.

Novel Modulators of Potassium Channels to Treat Fragile X

January 2, 2019

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.

Meng Li, PhD, Xinyu Zhao, PhD, and Anita Bhattacharyya, PhD

FRAXA Research Grants Drive Big Investments in Fragile X

March 28, 2018

FRAXA is working with hundreds of university labs and more than 30 pharmaceutical companies around the world. Dr. Michael Tranfaglia spends a lot of his time advising and collaborating with industry partners.

Newly Discovered Regulatory Pathways in Fragile X

October 31, 2017

Studies at Yale University and elsewhere show FMRP plays a significant role in regulation of potassium channels. Potassium channel opener drugs could rescue some symptoms of Fragile X.

The Slack Potassium Ion channel is a Therapeutic Target for Fragile X

January 7, 2011

With $282,000 in funding from FRAXA Research Foundation, Dr. Leonard Kaczmarek and colleagues explored association of Slack channels with the Fragile X protein (FMRP).