astrocytes Archives • Fragile X Research

Characterization of Microglia Transcriptional Profile in Fmr1 Knockout Mice Mode

FRAXA Research Foundation 2021 Grants • Borreca, Antonella • Boussadia, Zaira • CNR - Institute of Neuroscience • Current Research Grants • Drug Repurposing July 1, 2021July 1, 2021Alzheimer's, astrocytes

With this grant, the team will identify the pathways responsible for this excessive activation and attempt to reverse the excess. If they can correct this using drugs, they will be able to identify a new potential treatment for Fragile X solving one more piece of the Fragile X brain puzzle.

The Role of Astrocyte BMP Signaling in Fragile X Syndrome

FRAXA Research Foundation 2021 Grants • Allen, Nicola • Current Research Grants • Deng, James • Disease Mechanisms • Salk Institute June 17, 2021June 17, 2021astrocytes

Astrocytes are star-shaped cells that make up one fifth of all cells in the human brain. Recently researchers found a specific pathway in astrocytes that is overactive in Fragile X syndrome, and they hope to bring this pathway back to normal with a drug. With this grant, the team will try to correct the pathway in Fragile X mice. The hope is that they will find a new potential treatment approach for Fragile X syndrome.

Integrating Human and Mouse Studies in Fragile X Syndrome – an NIH Center Approach

FRAXA Research Foundation Binder, Devin • Erickson, Craig • Huber, Kimberly • Pedapati, Ernest • Research Updates • Seminar Series December 23, 2020March 10, 2021astrocytes, EEG, glutamate, NIH, seizure

Presentations by:
Craig Erickson – Translational medicine and mechanistic studies of brain neurophysiology in Fragile X Syndrome: A NIH Center Overview
Ernest Pedapati – Network Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Pharmacology of Fragile X Syndrome in Humans
Devin Binder – Network Mechanisms of Neurophysiology and Behavior in mouse models of Fragile X Syndrome
Kimberly Huber – FMRP Regulation of local and long-range neocortical circuits in the mouse: Links with EEG phenotypes

Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Sensory Hypersensitivity in the fmr1 Knockout Mouse

FRAXA Research Foundation Binder, Devin • Razak, Khaleel • Research Updates • Seminar Series August 27, 2020August 27, 2020astrocytes, DoD, drug repurposing, EEG, glutamate, Healx, hypersensitivity, matrix metalloproteinase, NIH, seizure, sound

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.

Cholesterol-Dependent Changes in Fragile X Astrocytes

FRAXA Research Foundation 2019 Grants • 2020 Grants • Castren, Maija • Current Research Grants • Disease Mechanisms • Drug Repurposing • Ethell, Iryna • University of California at Riverside • University of Helsinki Finland May 6, 2020June 1, 2020astrocytes, lovastatin

FRAXA Research Foundation has awarded $45,000 to Dr. Maija Castrén, of the University of Helsinki, Finland. Dr. Castren is working with Dr. Iryna Ethell, at the University of California at Riverside, to uncover mechanisms behind beneficial effects of lovastatin and cholesterol-dependent changes seen in the Fragile X brain.

MicroRNA Mediated Astroglial GLT1 Dysregulation in Fragile X

FRAXA Research Foundation 2017 Grants • 2018 Grants • Completed Research Grants • Disease Mechanisms • Higashimori, Haruki • Men, Yuqin • Treatment Targets • Tufts University • Yang, Yongjie September 30, 2017October 13, 2020astrocytes, autism, glutamate, Pierce Family Fragile X Foundation

Almost all brain research focuses on neurons – nerve cells. However, the brain has many more glial cells which support, nourish, and protect the neurons. FRAXA Research Foundation awarded a 2017 grant $90,000 to support Dr. Yang’s studies of how changes in glial cells contribute to Fragile X syndrome. This grant is funded by a grant from the Pierce Family Fragile X Foundation.

2017 Fragile X Research Grant: MicroRNA Mediated Astroglial GLT1 Dysregulation in Fragile X

Correcting Defects in Astrocyte Signaling in Fragile X Syndrome

FRAXA Research Foundation 2015 Grants • 2016 Grants • Disease Mechanisms • Doering, Laurie • McMaster University, Canada • Research Grant Results • Scott, Angela • Treatment Targets September 14, 2016February 25, 2020astrocytes, NIH

With a $90,000 grant from the FRAXA Research Foundation from 2015-2016, Dr. Laurie Doering and Dr. Angela Scott at McMasters University studied astrocytes in Fragile X. Astrocytes, brain cells which support neurons, do not transmit signals. Several treatment strategies for Fragile X have been proposed based on correction of “astrocyte phenotypes”.

Fragile X Treatment: New Research Directions

Michael Tranfaglia, MD Research Updates March 12, 2015December 26, 2019astrocytes, BK channel, glutamate, hyperexcitability, ion channel, mGluR, mGluR5, NIH, prepulse inhibition, seizure, sound

In the wake of negative results from several high-profile clinical trials in Fragile X, we find ourselves questioning many of our previous assumptions about the nature of this disorder. After all, understanding the basic pathology of disease is critical to development of new treatments — this is true across the board, in all branches of medicine.

Glutamate Metabolism in Fragile X Mouse Brain

FRAXA Research Foundation 2006-2010 Grants • Completed Research Grants • Disease Mechanisms • McKenna, Mary • Treatment Targets • University of Maryland February 15, 2008April 28, 2018astrocytes, GABA, glutamate, mGluR, mGluR5

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.