EEG Archives

Recruiting: BRIDGE Study (BRain Indicators of Developmental Growth)

FRAXA Research Foundation Recruiting • Wilkinson, Carol March 7, 2022March 8, 2022autism, EEG, sound

This study from the Wilkinson Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital is investigating how differences in brain activity affect learning, language and behavior in children with Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. One of the goals is to find brain markers that predict cognitive, language, and behavioral difficulties in these groups. Another goal is to better understand the differences in brain activity between young children with and without Fragile X and Down Syndrome, and whether these differences are similar in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Recruiting: Clinical Study of Non-Invasive EEG for Children Ages 2-7

FRAXA Research Foundation 2017 Grants • 2018 Grants • 2019 Grants • 2020 Grants • 2021 Grants • 2022 Grants • Biomarkers • Boston Children's Hospital • Clinical • Current Research Grants • Has Results • Nelson, Charles A. • Recruiting • Research Updates • Trials and Studies • Wilkinson, Carol March 5, 2022April 11, 2022autism, EEG, NIH, Pierce Family Fragile X Foundation, sound

Dr. Carol Wilkinson, MD PhD, and Dr. Charles Nelson, PhD, at Boston Children’s Hospital are recruiting children ages 2-7 years with Fragile X syndrome to participate in a study of brain differences using non-invasive EEG.

Cannabinoids as a Treatment for Fragile X Syndrome

FRAXA Research Foundation 2021 Grants • Binder, Devin • Current Research Grants • Pirbhoy, Patricia • Treatment Targets • University of California at Riverside November 4, 2021November 4, 2021autism, CBD, EEG, endocannabinoid, hyperexcitability, hypersensitivity, sound

Many people with Fragile X syndrome are hyper-sensitive to sights and sounds, and Electroencephalography (EEG) studies show that there are abnormalities in brain circuits. EEG studies show similar changes in Fragile X mice. So the team will use EEG tests in mice to find which drugs best reduce hypersensitivity. They can then easily move on to human EEG-based clinical trials. What they learn will tell us much more about why people with Fragile X are hypersensitive – and which drugs could best help them.

2021 Fragile X Research Grants Funded by FRAXA Research Foundation

FRAXA Research Foundation Research Updates October 1, 2021February 23, 2022astrocytes, autism, CBD, CRISPR, drug repurposing, EEG, endocannabinoid, FDA, lovastatin, metformin, microbiome, mRNAs, organoid

Each year, FRAXA funds a diverse portfolio of research. Our FRAXA Fellowships are seed funding for the future, the feedstock for the Fragile X treatment development pathway. While we are looking to promote as many promising new approaches as possible, prominent themes emerge each year, as scientists around the world tackle previously neglected areas.

Identifying Cellular and Molecular Signatures in Human Neurons That Distinguish Fragile X Syndrome Patients with Divergent EEG Profiles

FRAXA Research Foundation 2021 Grants • Biomarkers • Current Research Grants • Sirois, Carissa • University of Wisconsin • Zhao, Xinyu June 4, 2021September 27, 2021EEG

Why is it so hard to find the right medications to help people with Fragile X? Just as Fragile X affects individuals differently, medications do as well. This project aims to bring personalized medicine to Fragile X syndrome.

FRAXA Drug Validation Initiative (FRAXA-DVI)

FRAXA Research Foundation 2011 Grants • 2012 Grants • 2013 Grants • 2014 Grants • 2015 Grants • 2016 Grants • 2017 Grants • 2018 Grants • 2019 Grants • 2020 Grants • 2021 Grants • Biomarkers • Carullo, Paulina • Cogram, Patricia • Current Research Grants • Deacon, Robert • Drug Repurposing • FLENI Foundation • Research Resources • University of Chile • University of Oxford May 6, 2021May 6, 2021BPN14770, drug repurposing, EEG, FRAXA-DVI, Healx, microbiome, Neuren Pharmaceuticals, NIH, Ovid Therapeutics, PDE4, Tetra Therapeutics, trofinetide

The FRAXA Drug Validation Initiative (FRAXA-DVI) provides speedy, cost-effective, objective preclinical testing of potential Fragile X treatments. FRAXA-DVI uses in-vitro systems, behavior batteries, and gene expression and peripheral biomarker platforms to validate investigational new drugs and repurposed available compounds in Fragile X syndrome (FXS).

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

Overcoming the Placebo Effect in Fragile X Clinical Trials

Caitlyn Dent, RN, BSN Research Updates October 28, 2020October 28, 2020EEG, fNIRS, MRI, sleep

In a placebo-controlled clinical trial, some participants are given an experimental medication, while others are given a placebo. Participants do not know whether they are taking medicine or placebo. In theory, this can allow researchers to rule out the placebo effect by comparing outcomes among the two groups. But, per Wexler (2020) “having a strong placebo effect can obscure any real effect of the therapy being investigated”.

Use of EEG as a Biomarker for Diagnosis and Outcomes in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

FRAXA Research Foundation Nelson, Charles A. • Seminar Series • Wilkinson, Carol October 21, 2020autism, education, EEG, Rett syndrome

A series webinars focused on current topics in Fragile X research featuring Charles A. Nelson III, PhD, Professor at Harvard Medical School and Carol Wilkinson, MD, PhD, Instructor at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Healx Drug Repurposing Programme for Fragile X Syndrome

FRAXA Research Foundation Research Updates • Seminar Series October 1, 2020October 1, 2020autism, drug repurposing, EEG, Healx, PAK (p21-activated kinase), Roche

David Brown, MD, PhD, Ivan Angulo-Herrera, PhD and Anthony Hall of Healx present about the Drug Repurposing Programme for Fragile X syndrome.

Auditory System Dysfunction and Drug Tolerance in the Fragile X Mouse

FRAXA Research Foundation 2019 Grants • 2020 Grants • 2021 Grants • Current Research Grants • Gibson, Jay • Holley, Andrew • University of Texas at Southwestern September 2, 2020March 22, 2021drug tolerance, EEG, glutamate, hyperexcitability, hypersensitivity, mGluR5, seizure, sound

FRAXA Research Foundation has awarded $90,000 over 2019-2021 to principal investigator Dr. Jay Gibson and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Andrew Holley at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. They are investigating circuit mechanisms for auditory system dysfunction and drug tolerance in the Fragile X mouse model.

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.

Brain Organoids and Therapeutic Development for Fragile X and Other Rare Diseases

FRAXA Research Foundation Research Updates • Seminar Series July 15, 2020May 11, 2022autism, drug repurposing, EEG, ERK, FDA, Healx, organoid, sound

This is the first in a series of webinars focused on current topics in Fragile X research. In this webinar we hear from Alysson R. Muotri, PhD, Professor at University of California San Diego Stem Cell Programand Fabio C. Tucci, PhD, Chief Operating Officer and co-founder at Epigen Biosciences, Inc.

Ketogenic Diet Eases Symptoms in Fragile X Male Mice

FRAXA Research Foundation Research Updates • University of Wisconsin • Westmark, Cara March 12, 2020March 12, 2020Alzheimer's, EEG, metformin, NIH, Roche, seizure, sleep, sound

The Westmark laboratory continues to study sleep and rest-activity cycles in Fragile X mice as a potential outcome measure that correlates between preclinical and clinical research. The analysis of sleep EEG in the mice has proven more labor intensive than they anticipated, but the team is collaborating with Dr. Rama Maganti’s laboratory at UW-Madison on the development of computer scrips to speed up the analysis.

fNIRS to Measure Treatment Response in Young Children with Fragile X

FRAXA Research Foundation 2019 Grants • 2020 Grants • 2021 Grants • Cincinnati Children's Hospital • Clinical • Current Research Grants • Erickson, Craig • Recruiting • Smith Elizabeth • Trials and Studies February 13, 2020November 30, 2021AFQ056, EEG, fNIRS, mGluR5, MRI, NIH, Novartis, sleep

FRAXA Research Foundation has awarded a $90,000 research grant to Dr. Craig Erickson and Dr. Elizabeth Smith at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to test functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), in children who have Fragile X syndrome. fNIRS is safe, non-invasive, and easily-tolerated. It uses light sources and sensors on the scalp to build a heat map of the brain in action.

Results Reported: Using EEG Responses to Sound for Fragile X Drug Discovery

FRAXA Research Foundation Lovelace, Jonny • Razak, Khaleel • Research Updates • University of California at Riverside February 6, 2020February 7, 2020autism, EEG, FDA, Fragile X Meeting, hypersensitivity, mGluR5, minocycline, NIH, sound

Jonathan Lovelace, a FRAXA funded Postdoc at UC Riverside, has made some exciting EEG findings over the past few years studying auditory hypersensitivity in mice and therapeutic drug treatments. A big obstacle in FXS research has been establishing reliable, unbiased, and translation relevant biomarkers that can be used to determine the effectiveness of therapies. One of the most important discoveries they have made is the striking similarity in EEG biomarkers between mice and humans.

Should You Participate in a Fragile X Clinical Trial?

FRAXA Research Foundation Research Updates February 3, 2020February 4, 2020EEG, PDE4, Tetra Therapeutics

A Fragile X clinical trial of a new PDE4D allosteric inhibitor from Tetra Therapeutics is nearly complete. Right now there are 3 remaining spots open to males 18-45 years of age with Fragile X syndrome. Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago is leading this trial. The drug being studied has a unique mechanism of action that might improve cognitive and memory function.

Gene Therapy Translational Studies for Fragile X Syndrome

FRAXA Research Foundation 2019 Grants • 2020 Grants • 2021 Grants • Beasley, Lindsay • Cincinnati Children's Hospital • Current Research Grants • Erickson, Craig • Genetic Rescue • Gross, Christina • Pedapati, Ernest June 6, 2019March 10, 2021Adeno-associated virus, EEG, NIH

With this $90,000 award from FRAXA Research Foundation, Drs. Ernest Pedapati, Christina Gross, and student Lindsay Beasley will pursue preclinical gene therapy approaches using AAV (adeno-associated virus) vectors for treating Fragile X syndrome at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Dr. Craig Erickson elaborates about this in this video.

Clinical Trial of Metformin for Fragile X Syndrome

FRAXA Research Foundation 2018 Grants • 2019 Grants • 2020 Grants • Clinical • Lepage, Jean-Francois • Research Grant Results • Trials and Studies • University of Sherbrooke, Canada May 24, 2019January 13, 2022EEG, ERK, GABA, matrix metalloproteinase, metformin, MMP9, NIH

Metformin is commonly prescribed to control high blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. With a $50,000 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation, Dr. Artuela Çaku and Dr. Francois LePage are conducting an open-label clinical trial of metformin for children and adults with Fragile X syndrome, at the University of Sherbrooke in Canada.

Finding Fragile X Biomarkers – From Transcriptomics to Behavior in Patients

FRAXA Research Foundation 2018 Grants • Biomarkers • Carullo, Paulina • Cogram, Patricia • Current Research Grants • Scripps Research Institute • Vanderklish, Peter November 6, 2018January 3, 2019EEG, FRAXA-DVI, mRNAs

With this $20,000 award from FRAXA Research Foundation, Dr. Vanderklish and collaborators at Scripps Research Institute, the University of Chile, and the FLENI Institute in Argentina are analyzing patterns in gene expression in blood cells of patients with Fragile X syndrome. They are using “transcriptomics” which can produce a time-sensitive signature of an individual person. This is the first time that all these different levels of study – from transcriptomics to behavior – have been done for individual patients with Fragile X.

Understanding and Reversing Hypersensitivity to Sounds in Fragile X Syndrome

FRAXA Research Foundation 2018 Grants • 2019 Grants • 2020 Grants • Binder, Devin • Current Research Grants • Ethell, Iryna • Pirbhoy, Patricia • Treatment Targets • University of California at Riverside June 20, 2018May 15, 2020CBD, EEG, endocannabinoid, hyperexcitability, hypersensitivity, matrix metalloproteinase, minocycline, MMP9, sound

With a $90,000 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation over 2018-2019, Drs. Devin Binder, Iryna Ethell, and Patricia Pirbhoy at the University of California at Riverside aim to understand – and reverse – hypersensitivity to sound in Fragile X syndrome.

FRAXA Funded Researchers Present at MA Fragile X Conference

FRAXA Research Foundation Erickson, Craig • Events Recap • Wilkinson, Carol April 9, 2018December 26, 2019AstraZeneca, AZD7325, education, EEG, Pierce Family Fragile X Foundation

On Saturday Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) hosted a Fragile X educational conference. Success Strategies for Individuals and Families Impacted by Fragile X and two of our funded researchers, Dr. Craig Erickson, and Carol Wilkinson, MD, PhD, presented giving an update on their current Fragile X clinical trials. Both being funded by FRAXA.

In Their Own Words: Reports From the International Fragile X Workshop

FRAXA Research Foundation Cogram, Patricia • Contractor, Anis • Events Recap • Kooy, Frank • Lee, Jeannie • McGill University • Moine, Herve • Razak, Khaleel • Research Updates • Smith, Carolyn B. • Sonenberg, Nahum • Todd, Peter • Vanderklish, Peter October 29, 2017December 26, 2019amygdala, autism, bumetanide, DgkK, drug repurposing, drug tolerance, EEG, ERK, FDA, Fragile X Meeting, GABA, ganaxolone, glutamate, hyperexcitability, hypersensitivity, metformin, mGluR5, minocycline, mRNAs, NIH, Rett syndrome, seizure, sleep, sound

The 18th International Fragile X and Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders Workshop in Quebec, Canada, was a great success, featuring Fragile X much more heavily than any previous meeting in this series! We asked our speakers to summarize their work in their own words, with brief updates from researchers investigating Fragile X.

Brain Imbalance Target of Dr. Erickson’s New Clinical Trial

Theodore Coutilish Biomarkers • Cincinnati Children's Hospital • Clinical • Erickson, Craig • Research Updates October 25, 2017December 26, 2019Abilify, AstraZeneca, autism, AZD7325, EEG, GABA, glutamate, Roche

According to Dr. Erickson, AZD7325 is a drug that selectively boosts GABA neurotransmission in the brain. GABA is the primary neurochemical in the brain that blocks brain activation. GABA activity is in balance in the brain with Glutamate activity, which is the primary neurochemical that causes brain activation. In Fragile X, GABA activity is insufficient and glutamate activity is excessive, likely causing brain activity to be out of balance. AZD7325 attempts to correct parts of this imbalance by boosting the insufficient GABA activity in the brains of people with Fragile X.

Combinatorial Drug Treatment in a Model of Fragile X Syndrome using Novel Biomarkers

FRAXA Research Foundation 2016 Grants • 2017 Grants • Biomarkers • Lovelace, Jonny • Razak, Khaleel • Research Grant Results • Treatment Targets • University of California at Riverside October 3, 2017May 15, 2020drug combinations, EEG, hypersensitivity, matrix metalloproteinase, mGluR5, minocycline, MMP9, sound, Tetra Therapeutics

With a $90,000 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation awarded over 2016-2017, University of California researchers Khaleel Razak, PhD, and Jonathan W. Lovelace, PhD, are exploring drug combinations to limit hypersensitivity to sounds in Fragile X mice.

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