Fragile X syndrome affecting brain cells

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center are uncovering how brain cells are affected in Fragile X syndrome, the most common cause of inherited mental retardation and the most common genetic cause of autism.

"I think we've discovered a core mechanism underlying Fragile X syndrome," said Dr. Kimberly Huber, assistant professor of neuroscience and senior author of a study appearing in Wednesday's edition of the Journal of Neuroscience.

Dr. Huber's research with mice focuses on how Fragile X syndrome affects communication between cells in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that is involved in learning and memory. Her findings show that two different chemical signals go awry in Fragile X syndrome, indicating that drugs that interact with these signals might be a pathway to help treat the syndrome.

"The more we know about how signaling mechanisms in the brain lead to normal memory and learning, the better we can understand what goes wrong in conditions such as Fragile X syndrome," said Dr. Huber, who is a Southwestern Medical Foundation Scholar in Medical Research. "Our research is laying the groundwork for such understanding and indicates a new area for research."

Fragile X syndrome got its name because it affects a single gene, Fmr1, on the X chromosome. Under a microscope, the area around the gene looks narrower than normal, or "fragile." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the syndrome, which mostly occurs in males, affects about one in every 4,000 white males in the U.S.

The current study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and FRAXA Research Foundation.


(Editor compiled and published Fragile X syndrome affecting brain cells at HealthNewsTrack on January 15, 2008 sourced from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center - http://www8.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/cda/dept353744/files/436503.html)

Most related articles:

- Fragile X syndrome affecting brain cells
- Autistic people don't want hugs - 9.7
- Potential drugs for mental retardation and autism treatment - 7.3
- Brain cell channel defect may cause autism like syndrome - 6.3
- New Down syndrome treatment suggested by US researchers - 5.6

More related articles:

- Fragile X syndrome, Brain, Mental retardation, Genetic, Autism, Neuroscience, Memory, Learning, Research, Gene
- Potential drugs for mental retardation and autism treatment - 20.2
- Autistic people don't want hugs - 17.2
- Gene defect can cause sever mental retardation as Angelman syndrome - 13.3
- Gene mutations lead to autism and mental retardation - 12.5

Fragile X syndrome related articles:

- Autistic people don't want hugs - 8.1
- Potential drugs for mental retardation and autism treatment - 5.6
- Sinus infection rhinosinusitis may lead to toxic shock syndrome - 4.1
- Metabolic syndrome common in psoriasis patients - 4

Fragile X syndrome article/news source:

Read more health articles from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and health articles from USA.

Fragile X syndrome - search related terms:

Autism, Brain, Fragile X syndrome, Gene, Genetic, Learning, Memory, Mental retardation, Neuroscience, Research,
Fragile X syndrome books,

Searched keywords: fragile X syndrome (19), fragile x (10), mental retardation brain (10),

List health news, Health organizations, Health news world, Glossary, Best health articles, Featured     Go to top

The information provided on Health Newstrack is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. We comply with the HONcode principles for trustworthy health information, and Health News Track is hon code accredited, verify here.
About us, Site map Privacy policy, Disclaimer
© 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 HealthNewsTrack.com
0.66