Mark Bear, PhD & Sara Kornfeld Simpson

Altered Physiology of Primary Visual Cortex in Fragile X Syndrome

This team believes inhibitory neurons expressing somatostatin are impaired in Fragile X. They will see if stimulating these neurons has therapeutic potential.

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Cellular-Specific Therapeutic Targeting of Inhibitory Circuits in Fragile X Syndrome

Studies have shown that the function of inhibitory networks is disturbed in Fragile X. This abnormality is not well understood but appears to be secondary to abnormalities in metabotropic glutamate and endocannabinoid systems. With a $90,000 grant from FRAXA, Dr. Molly Huntsman’s team examined how these networks interact and how inhibitory deficits can best be remedied.

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Taurine and Somatostatin as Potential Treatments for Fragile X Syndrome: A Unifying Neuro-Endocrine Hypothesis

With a $74,000 grant from FRAXA Research Foundation, Dr. Abdeslem El Idrissi at CUNY explored the GABA receptor system in Fragile X mice and tested somatostatin and taurine as potential therapies for Fragile X; while somatostatin must be infused intravenously, taurine is available as a nutritional supplement.

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FRAXA Funded Research

Current Research Grants (37)