astrocytes

The team studied how glial cells, especially astrocytes, affect Fragile X. They tested microRNAs to restore GLT1 and reduce excess glutamate linked to brain hyperexcitability.

Astrocytes, brain cells which support neurons, do not transmit signals. Fragile X treatment strategies have been proposed based on correction of “astrocyte phenotypes”.

With a $95,000 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation over 2 years, Mary McKenna at the University of Maryland studied the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) and how they affect other cells and pathways.

Astrocytes and cholesterol metabolism are altered in Fragile X. This research uncovers how these changes affect the brain and may reveal new treatment targets like lovastatin.

In this Fragile X research webinar we hear from Devin K. Binder, MD, PhD, Professor, University of California at Riverside Medical School and Khaleel Razak, PhD, Professor, University of California at Riverside as they present about Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Sensory Hypersensitivity in the fmr1 Knockout Mouse.