Claudia Bagni, PhD, at University of Rome, FRAXA research grant

Crossroads of Fragile X and Alzheimers Research

Last week researchers at VIB Leuven in Belgium published evidence that a brain pathway involving the protein APP (Amyloid Precursor Protein) plays a vital role in development of Fragile X syndrome, one of the most common causes of autism. Scientists led by Dr. Emanuela Pasciuto in the laboratory of Prof Claudia Bagni published findings of their study in the journal Neuron.

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Fragile X Researcher, Cara Westmark, PhD

Ab-Mediated Translation in Fragile X Syndrome

This work found amyloid precursor protein (APP) overexpression and increased β-amyloid in Fragile X mice, implicating Alzheimer-related pathways in FXS pathology.

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Compound that Inhibits mGluR5 Corrects Signs of Fragile X in Adult Mice

A Roche and MIT study published in Neuron finds that an mGlu5 inhibitor, CTEP, can reverse many Fragile X symptoms in adult mice.

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Role of JNK in FMRP Regulated Translation in Fragile X Syndrome

JNK kinase is abnormally active in Fragile X model mice and directly regulates mGluR-dependent translation of FMRP targets, pointing to JNK as a therapeutic target.

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James Malter, at University of Wisconsin-Madison, FRAXA research grant

Using Fenobam to Reduce APP and Abeta in Fragile X Mice

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.

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FRAXA Funded Research

Current Research Grants (38)