astrocytes Archives • Fragile X Research

Cholesterol-Dependent Changes in Fragile X Astrocytes

FRAXA Research Foundation 2019 Grants • 2020 Grants • Castren, Maija • Disease Mechanisms • Drug Repurposing • Ethell, Iryna • University of California at Riverside • University of Helsinki Finland May 6, 2020May 15, 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 • Current Research Grants • Disease Mechanisms • Higashimori, Haruki • Men, Yuqin • Treatment Targets • Tufts University • Yang, Yongjie September 30, 2017April 30, 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, 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.