One of the most exciting kinds of work that FRAXA does is following the journey of an experimental new treatment until it is ready for trials in people with Fragile X. From an initial idea, through the development process, to clinical trials, FRAXA helps out all along the way. From an initial idea, through the development process, to clinical trials, FRAXA helps out all along the way. The recent announcement by Synaptogenix is a great example of how FRAXA funding and use of FRAXA-DVI can accelerate research on Fragile X.
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Meet Benjamin!
Meet #FriendofFRAXA Benjamin! His smile lights up the room. He is a burst of energy! He gives the best hugs and loves to cuddle. If you would like to nominate someone as a #FriendofFRAXA, we welcome all who have been touched by Fragile X, including friends, grandparents, siblings, professionals and companions alike to become a #FriendofFRAXA with the goal of putting a face to Fragile X for those who may not know someone directly.
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Fragile X Syndrome: In Pursuit of a Cure Webinar
A global webinar titled “Fragile X Syndrome: In Pursuit of a Cure,” took place on July 22, 2021 to commemorate World Fragile X Day. This complimentary event is co-organized with WuXi AppTec. We are delighted that more than 5,000 registered from more than 50 countries worldwide, coming together to raise awareness of Fragile X, and to foster collaborations towards effective treatments and ultimately a cure.
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2021 FRAXA Awards – Recognizing Perseverance and Dedication
In conjunction with World Fragile X Day 2021, FRAXA Research Foundation is proud to recognize its annual award recipients. This year’s recipients exemplify the perseverance and dedication that has made FRAXA a global leader in Fragile X research for nearly 30 years. We are fortunate to partner with these individuals on research, community support and awareness efforts.
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Wieber Family Journey
When Zach and Leslie Wieber started their family, they were unaware of Fragile X syndrome. Then in 2012, they received the news that changed their lives. Their sons, now ages 13, 11, and almost 10, all live with Fragile X syndrome. Like many parents, the Wiebers felt relief and fear when their children were diagnosed.
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Link Between Lipid Profile, eCBome System and Gut Microbiome in Fragile X Syndrome
Why does obesity challenge so many people with Fragile X? Dr. Caku’s team thinks changes in the gut are the culprit. This team has found that Fragile X syndrome causes changes in the tiny organisms that live in our gut. They believe that these abnormalities cause changes in the brain which impair learning and behavior.
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USA Today, “Fragile X treatment: Decades later, progress in rare genetic condition”
In recent weeks, USA Today spent days with FRAXA co-founders Dr. Mike Tranfaglia and Katie Clapp, and their son Andy. Andy lives with Fragile X syndrome and is the focus of a segment of USA Today’s occasional series that explores how scientific advances are transforming care for rare diseases.
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USA Today Video, “Living with Fragile X Syndrome: ‘He is growing… it’s just really slow'”
Born with Fragile X Syndrome, a rare developmental disorder, Andy Tranfaglia, thrives with the help of his parents and a community of supporters.
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Characterization of Microglia Transcriptional Profile in Fmr1 Knockout Mice Model
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 syndrome solving one more piece of the Fragile X brain puzzle.
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The Role of Astrocyte BMP Signaling in Fragile X Syndrome
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.
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Memorial Tribute to Dr. Stephen T. Warren
Dr. Stephen T. Warren passed away on June 6, 2021. In 1991, Dr. Warren discovered the genetic mutation which causes Fragile X Syndrome and named it FRAXA. Donations can be made in his honor to FRAXA Research Foundation.
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Meet Tyler!
Meet #FriendofFRAXA Tyler! If you would like to nominate someone as a #FriendofFRAXA, we welcome all who have been touched by Fragile X, including friends, grandparents, siblings, professionals and companions alike to become a #FriendofFRAXA with the goal of putting a face to Fragile X for those who may not know someone directly.
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Identifying Cellular and Molecular Signatures in Human Neurons That Distinguish Fragile X Syndrome Patients with Divergent EEG Profiles
Why is it so hard to find the right medications to help people with Fragile X syndrome? Just as Fragile X affects individuals differently, medications do as well. This project aims to bring personalized medicine to Fragile X syndrome.
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Preclinical Testing of High Fat/Low Carb Diets in Fragile X Mice and Cells
With a $90,000 research grant from FRAXA, Dr. Cara Westmark’s team will use mice to determine if more palatable Atkins-type diets can improve sleep and boost learning skills for those with Fragile X syndrome.
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Drug Tolerance in MGluR5 Clinical Trials – Dr Patrick McCamphill 1:1 with FRAXA
We have long suspected that the clinical trials of mGluR5 blockers from Novartis and Roche failed because the drug triggered tolerance, losing effect over time. With a $90,000 grant from FRAXA, Dr. Patrick McCamphill, a Postdoctoral Fellow in the MIT lab of Dr. Mark Bear, is investigating. He does indeed find tolerance, and now he is looking for ways to overcome it.
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Pivotal Phase 3 Trial of Zygel in Severe Fragile X Possible This Year
Zynerba Pharmaceuticals reported receiving advice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the design of an upcoming Phase 3 clinical trial meant to confirm previous trial findings supporting Zygel as a cannabidiol treatment in a specific subset of Fragile X syndrome patients. The new trial, called RECONNECT, is expected to launch before October, and will mainly enroll children and adolescents with a complete (100%) methylation of FMR1, the gene mutated in Fragile X.
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We Started Out Small, Now Look…
FRAXA Research Foundation is spreading awareness across the world! We’d love to see you light up our world on July 22 as part of World Fragile X Day!
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NPR Feature – A Fragile X Treatment May Be On The Horizon
With a promising new treatment on the horizon, NPR reflects back at the past 10 years, providing a glimpse into both the science and research of Fragile X through the eyes of key researchers, in addition to the lives of this family, their quest for a cure, and what that may look like for their son, Andy.
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FRAXA Drug Validation Initiative (FRAXA-DVI)
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).
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Pharmacotherapeutic Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD)
This study will test CBD (cannabidiol) treatment in male and female Fragile X mice to learn how and why it works and whether gender affects responses to CDB treatment. Along with clinical trials, this study will help us to understand and optimize the potential of CBD as a behavior-regulating treatment for Fragile X.
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NPR Short Wave, “A Fragile X Treatment May Be On The Horizon”
Katie Clapp and Michael Tranfaglia’s son was born with a genetic disorder that affects brain development. It makes it hard to learn language and basic daily tasks and often is accompanied by a host of other disorders. To help find a cure, they started a foundation and raised research money. After se…
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Holly Roos Joins the FRAXA Team!
FRAXA Research Foundation is excited that long time Fragile X advocate and well-known figure within the Fragile X community, Holly Roos, is joining our team as Community Services Director. We are thrilled with the energy and enthusiasm Holly brings to the team.
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Brain & Life, “A Mom Leads Efforts to Cure Fragile X Syndrome for Her Son and Others”
We haven’t found a cure yet, but we’ve moved closer to understanding fragile X syndrome and identifying treatment targets. We hope this will help our son and other families dealing with this life-changing condition.
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Tetra Releases Full Results of FRAXA-Funded Clinical Trial of PDE4D Inhibitor
Today, Tetra Therapeutics published the full results of its PDE4D trial published the full results to their announcement. Now having reviewed the full results, FRAXA can confidently say that the PDE4D drug trial gives hope to patients and families that Fragile X Syndrome is a treatable disorder, and this particular drug can improve intellectual disability.
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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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