Fragile X Cure One Step Closer with FRAXA Support of $1 Million in New Research
2016: 4 Countries - 10 Teams - $1 Millions
From finding new treatment targets, to pinpointing outcome measures for future clinical trials, to attempting to reactivate the gene which is silenced in Fragile X syndrome, these innovative scientists will bring us closer to a cure.
Improving Clinical Trials
Many parents of children with Fragile X know well the struggles of getting their children to sleep through the night. Mice and fruit flies engineered to mimic Fragile X Syndrome also have disrupted sleep. Drs. Westmark and Smith will test potential therapeutics in mice using sleep as an outcome measure and investigate whether sleep could be used as an outcome measure for future clinical trials.
The search is on for a simple blood test to measure how well a treatment works for an individual with Fragile X. Dr. Frank Kooy’s team investigates.
Testing Treatment Targets
One of the goals of FRAXA’s research program has been to find biological pathways affected in Fragile X that are amenable to treatment with small molecules (drugs). Past efforts have been successful, generating large numbers of treatment targets, and this year, Dr. Osterweil and Dr. Bardoni will study new promising targets.
All these treatment targets raise an important question: are these various neural pathways and targets related at some key point? Is there a critical node, a point where pathways connect, which would allow for the most effective treatment? Two projects funded last year are looking for just such critical nodes (see Vanderklish and Moine). Until a critical node is found, we may need combinations of drugs to best help people with Fragile X syndrome. Dr. Razak’s study of combination treatments aims to show us the best way forward and form the basis for success in clinical trials.
Reactivating the Fragile X Gene
The holy grail of Fragile X research is to reactivate the gene, FMR1, which is silenced in people who have the syndrome. Using genetic engineering, researchers can already switch on the gene in adult Fragile X mice, and correct symptoms in this way. Teams led by Dr. Peter Todd and Dr. Jeannie Lee will pursue gene reactivation in mice using the new technique, CRISPR.
Congratulations to the new grantees! The grand total of these awards is $1,022,000 over the next two years. Additional awards still to come!
Biomarker Discovery and Validation for Fragile X Syndrome
This grant supported discovery of protein-based biomarkers for Fragile X to create objective outcome measures that translate from mouse studies to human trials.
Function of FMRP and Test of a Novel Therapeutic Approach in a Fragile X Mouse Model
FRAXA-supported work has identified DgkK as a critical enzyme lost in Fragile X. Drugs that raise DgkK levels may correct brain signaling and improve symptoms.
Sensory Hypersensibility in Fragile X Syndrome and BK Channel Openers
With $366,100 in FRAXA funding, researchers tested BK channel–opening drugs to fix sensory abnormalities in Fragile X mice; early results showed broad behavioral rescue.
Fragile X Mutant Mouse Models
With $375,000 in grants from FRAXA, Dr. David Nelson developed an array of advanced mouse models of Fragile X. These models are available at Jackson Labs (JAX).
MicroRNAs as Biomarkers in Fragile X Syndrome
The team at Johns Hopkins University studied groups of small RNAs, known as microRNAs, which are greatly decreased in brain tissue of Fragile X mice vs. normal controls.
Repurposing Drugs to Dampen Hyperactive Nonsense-Mediated Decay in Fragile X Syndrome
FRAXA-funded research showed nonsense-mediated mRNA decay is overactive in Fragile X, pointing to existing NMD-suppressing drugs like caffeine as potential treatments.
Abnormalities of Synaptic Plasticity in the Fragile X Amygdala
With FRAXA funding, Dr. Sumantra Chattarji at NCBS explored how Fragile X alters amygdala function. Results were published.