Exosomes as a Source of Therapeutic Biomarkers in Experimental Models of Fragile X Syndrome Alberto Martire, PhD Principal Investigator Zaira Boussadia, PhD FRAXA Fellow Italian National Institute of Health Rome, Italy 2023-2024 Grant Funding: $100,000 Summary How can a blood
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FRAXA 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.
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Coming Together for Rare Disease Day 2023
Today, February 28, we mark Rare Disease Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about rare diseases and highlighting the need for continued research and collaboration. At FRAXA Research Foundation, we are committed to advancing research on Fragile X syndrome, one of the most common rare diseases worldwide.
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Recruiting: 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.
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Sex-specific Learning Differences Found in Fragile X Patients, Mouse Model
Girls and women with Fragile X syndrome show different learning impairments relative to boys and men with the disease, a finding that was paralleled in a mouse model of the disease, a study found.
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Targeting 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.
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A Look Back at 2022 and Ahead to 2023 Research Prospects
This holiday season you proved that the adage “actions speak louder than words” is entirely accurate. We sincerely appreciate your gifts in action. FRAXA supporters came out in full force to meet the generous $100,000 challenge offered on Giving Tuesday.
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Meet Ryder!
Meet #FriendofFRAXA Ryder! If you would like to nominate someone as a #FriendofFRAXA, we welcome all who have been touched by Fragile X, including friends, grandparents, siblings, professionals and companions alike to become a #FriendofFRAXA with the goal of putting a face to Fragile X for those who may not know someone directly.
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10 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.
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Astrocyte 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.
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Developmental 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.
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$100,000 Donor Matching Challenge From The Robert & Ardis James Foundation
We are thrilled to announce FRAXA Research Foundation’s most significant and unique matching challenge of the year, thanks to the Robert & Ardis James Foundation. This challenge will help us bring top new talent to Fragile X research.
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$269,774 Raised for Fragile X Research on #GivingTuesday
Thank you very much for being a part of yet another fantastic and historic #GivingTuesday! FRAXA raised a total of $269,774 with our matching contributions!! This is incredible. Our work would be impossible without you.
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Pharmacological 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.
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A Note of Thanks and Hope on This Giving Tuesday
Why is Fragile X research so important? Every advance in Fragile X brings us all closer to discovering treatments for autism and other brain disorders. We are truly grateful to everyone who has helped FRAXA fund groundbreaking research. Thanks to you, we have hope.
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Clinical Trial Results Reported for Phase 3 CONNECT-FX Study of Zygel™
Results have just been published from Zynerba Pharmaceuticals’s phase 3 clinical trial of Zygel™ in the Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. In this trial, 212 children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years were given Zygel or placebo for 12 weeks.
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Zynerba Is Now Recruiting for Phase 3 Clinical Trial (RECONNECT) Of Zygel
Zynerba has announced it is now recruiting subjects for a large-scale Phase 3 clinical trial (RECONNECT) of Zygel at sites across the United States, Australia, the UK and Ireland. They are recruiting children and adolescents with Fragile X syndrome for this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multinational study…
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Sigma-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.
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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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$19,600 Raised For Fragile X Research at Callum Cup VI
The Callum Cup is back & as popular as ever! This annual intra-club charity match is the marquee event of the Millburn FC soccer calendar. After 7 years, the Callum Cup matches have raised $94,600 for Fragile X research.
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Versatile 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.
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Human 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?
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Meet Conor!
Meet #FriendofFRAXA Conor! If you would like to nominate someone as a #FriendofFRAXA, we welcome all who have been touched by Fragile X, including friends, grandparents, siblings, professionals and companions alike to become a #FriendofFRAXA with the goal of putting a face to Fragile X for those who may not know someone directly.
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Meet Tobias!
Meet #FriendofFRAXA Tobias! If you would like to nominate someone as a #FriendofFRAXA, we welcome all who have been touched by Fragile X, including friends, grandparents, siblings, professionals and companions alike to become a #FriendofFRAXA with the goal of putting a face to Fragile X for those who may not know someone directly.
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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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