Is there a cure for Fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome results in mental disablement and affects both genders, but men are more frequently affected. When it comes to males suffering from this syndrome, their intellect can be damaged and their physiology may differ from normal. Their ears may be bigger than usual, they may have a long face and big reproductive glands. They also tend to have different disabilities during life such as ear inflammation bone issues and joint problems. Males can have some problems regarding behavior like ADD problems with speech and autistic behavior. Females have similar features although their intellect is not affected as much as in male population. One in three females has serious intellectual problems.

Thecondition is caused by a genetic mutation located on gene FMR1. The change is in the deoxyribonucleic acid, which causes inactivity of the gene responsible for production of a particular protein in the body. That is what causes all the trouble. A way to cure this condition has not been found yet, but there are numerous therapies that can benefit intellectual and behavioral problems. Also some drugs may be useful for emotional and behavioral problems.

Prevention

Fortunately,today we have tests which can show if a genetic change occurred. There are two ways for testing and both are quite reliable. It is also good to know that if the condition was present at someone from the family, it is more likely to appear again. If a father is the carrier of the problematic gene, than a female offspring can be affected but sons getting Y chromosome from the father are safe. If mother is a carrier the children of both genders can be affected seriously. How severe symptoms will be it depends on the degree of a mutation.

Hereditarypattern

Xchromosome is responsible for fragile X syndrome. We know that every woman has a pair of X chromosomes and man has XY chromosomes. If a woman is a carrier, than the possibility that the affected chromosome will be transferred to a child is 50%. Men who are carriers will transfer the X chromosome to their daughters, but the Y chromosome to their sons. It is interesting to say that if a woman carries a premutation her children can also carry a premutation without developing a full mutation but some of them might get a full mutation. If a mother has full mutation and transfers it to a child then a child will suffer full mutation.