News

Cash-strapped governments across the 28-member European Union are struggling to control runaway healthcare expenditures — at exactly the same time as the promise of new but expensive therapies to treat rare diseases has never been greater. That’s the paradox faced by pharmaceutical companies as well as patient advocacy groups in…

One year of treatment with the cannabidiol gel ZYN002, being developed by Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, can provide sustained benefit to young patients with fragile X syndrome, data from a Phase 2 trial show. Twelve children and adolescents treated with ZYN002 gel absorbed through the skin once daily for 12 months experienced…

A greater ability to generate words, phrases and sentences correlates with lower autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptom severity in adolescent and young adult males with fragile X syndrome (FXS), according to a study. The research, “ASD Comorbidity in Fragile X Syndrome: Symptom Profile and Predictors of Symptom Severity in Adolescent and Young Adult…

Mavoglurant is safe and well-tolerated in the long-term to treat adolescents and adults who have fragile X symptoms. The investigational compound also is associated with positive efficacy results, according to results from two clinical studies. The research with those findings, “Mavoglurant in Fragile X Syndrome: Results of…

Fragile X syndrome is among the four rare genetic disorders to be included in the world’s largest newborn screening study for rare diseases. The screening, financially supported by the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research and the Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund, will also include…

The frequency and severity of symptoms associated with fragile X spectrum disorders in the rural town of Ricaurte in Colombia are much higher compared to those of the general population, a study has found. Researchers believe such differences may be because of higher exposure to toxic pesticides. The study, “…

Lower cognitive function affects gait and functional mobility in those with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a study has found. Linking quantitative gait assessment with neuropsychological tests may help explain the complex interplay between cognitive and motor function and history of falls in these patients. The study, “Cognitive function…

Fragile X syndrome testing will now be available for newborns in North Carolina by way of a new study led by RTI International to research the disease’s prevalence and the benefits of early treatment. Called Early Check, the free-screening study is designed to identify children with rare health…

With the U.S. midterm elections now less than two weeks away, patient advocacy groups are solidly focused on a range of hot-button issues, from the Orphan Drug Tax Credit and affordable health insurance to future funding for rare disease research. Yet “whether Democrats take over the House or Senate,…

Altered calcium levels and poorly regulated activity in specific calcium channels in nerve cells could underlie fragile X syndrome (FXS) and be used as a diagnostic and treatment biomarker, according to a new study. The research, “New Insights Into the Role of Cav2 Protein Family in Calcium…