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Social-environmental variables can influence self-injury behavior in a large proportion of boys with fragile X syndrome, according to researchers. Their study, “Examining the influence of social-environmental variables on self-injurious behaviour in adolescent boys with fragile X syndrome,” was published in the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research.

Patients with fragile X syndrome who don’t meet the cut-off for a diagnosis of autism show a decrease in impulsivity and repetitive questioning over time, when compared with patients who do, a new study shows. The study, “Overactivity, impulsivity and repetitive behaviour in males with fragile X syndrome: contrasting…

Children with fragile X syndrome exhibit abnormal gesture use (a form of non-verbal communication) early in development, partially accounting for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptom severity, according to a recent study. The study “Early gesture use in fragile X syndrome” was published in the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research.

Scientists have developed a new technique for genetic testing that can predict a woman’s risk of having a child with fragile X syndrome when she carries a specific type of mutation. The study that discusses the method, “Detecting AGG Interruptions in Females With a FMR1 Premutation by Long-Read Single-Molecule…

The association between structural abnormalities in certain regions of the brain and the ability to process spacial positioning of objects has been demonstrated in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. The study, “Impaired spatial processing in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome,” was published…

The FRAXA Research Foundation has awarded two $90,000 grants to university research projects that aim to identify new targets for fragile X syndrome therapies. The funded projects will use mini-brains grown in the laboratory to unravel the mechanisms underlying the disease and also understand what is behind the loss of…

As President Trump signed the recently passed Right to Try legislation into law in a White House ceremony, Jordan McLinn of Indianapolis tried twice to embrace him. The third time, 9-year-old Jordan finally got the hug he wanted — as well as a kiss on the forehead. The video of…

Cognitive behavioral therapy may help children with autism spectrum disorder, including fragile X syndrome, manage a range of emotional challenges such as anxiety, sadness, or anger, according to researchers. Their study, “A randomized waitlist-controlled trial of cognitive behavior therapy to improve emotion regulation in children with…

  A University of Calgary team attempting to reverse symptoms of fragile X syndrome (FXS) in mice was awarded a $100,000 grant by the FRAXA Research Foundation and the Fragile X Research Foundation of Canada. Fragile X syndrome, the most common genetic cause of autism, is caused by lack…

Finding treatments and potential cures for rare diseases is crucial, but so is the quality of patients’ lives — a rather nebulous term that means different things to different people. “Recently, there’s been much more of a focus on Quality of Life (QoL) issues, real-world evidence and patient-reported outcomes,” said…