Westmark, Cara Archives • Fragile X Research

Preclinical Testing of High Fat/Low Carb Diets in Fragile X Mice and Cells

FRAXA Research Foundation 2021 Grants • Current Research Grants • Gutierrez, Alejandra • Treatment Targets • University of Wisconsin • Westmark, Cara May 28, 2021May 28, 2021autism, seizure, sleep

With a $90,000 grant from FRAXA, Dr. Cara Westmark’s team will use mice to determine if more palatable Atkins-type diets can improve sleep and boost learning skills for those with Fragile X.

Ketogenic Diet Eases Symptoms in Fragile X Male Mice

FRAXA Research Foundation Research Updates • University of Wisconsin • Westmark, Cara March 12, 2020March 12, 2020Alzheimer's, EEG, metformin, NIH, Roche, seizure, sleep, sound

The Westmark laboratory continues to study sleep and rest-activity cycles in Fragile X mice as a potential outcome measure that correlates between preclinical and clinical research. The analysis of sleep EEG in the mice has proven more labor intensive than they anticipated, but the team is collaborating with Dr. Rama Maganti’s laboratory at UW-Madison on the development of computer scrips to speed up the analysis.

Fragile X Researcher, Cara Westmark, PhD

Preclinical Testing of Sleep-Wake Patterns as an Outcome Measure for Fragile X

Theodore Coutilish 2016 Grants • 2017 Grants • 2018 Grants • Biomarkers • Completed Research Grants • Treatment Targets • University of Wisconsin • Westmark, Cara May 23, 2017May 17, 2020Alzheimer's, drug repurposing, EEG, seizure, sleep, sound

FRAXA Research Foundation awarded $122,000 over 2016-2018 to Dr. Cara Westmark at the University of Wisconsin at Madison for studies of sleep disorders in Fragile X syndrome.

Ab-Mediated Translation in Fragile X Syndrome

FRAXA Research Foundation 2011 Grants • 2012 Grants • Biomarkers • Research Grant Results • Treatment Targets • University of Wisconsin • Westmark, Cara September 13, 2012January 29, 2021Alzheimer's, amyloid precursor protein, LTD (Long-term depression), mGluR5, mRNAs, NIH, seizure

With a $120,000 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation during 2011-2012, Dr. Cara Westmark at the University of Wisconsin explored the role of AbPP as a potential treatment option for fragile X. AbPP produces b-amyloid which is over-expressed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Down syndrome.

Using Fenobam to Reduce APP and Abeta in Fragile X Mice

FRAXA Research Foundation 2006-2010 Grants • Completed Research Grants • Malter, James • Treatment Targets • University of Wisconsin • Westmark, Cara February 14, 2008December 12, 2019Alzheimer's, Amyloid beta, amyloid precursor protein, fenobam, mGluR5, mRNAs, seizure

With a $130,000 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation over 2008-2009, Drs. James Malter and Cara Westmark at the University of Wisconsin studied the relationship between the Fragile X protein FMRP and APP, a protein important to the pathology of Alzheimer’s Disease. APP may also contribute to the pathology of Fragile X, and its major metabolite, Aß, may contribute to abnormal protein synthesis via a positive feedback loop. This project sought to restore normal dendritic protein synthesis in Fragile X mice by breaking into this loop.