This book covers both molecular and clinical aspects of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and premutation disorders so that new targeted treatments can be understood by clinicians and parents.

Fragile X Syndrome: From Genetics to Targeted Treatment provides a structured overview of the molecular and clinical background of the disorder as well as treatment options. The book discusses the detailed molecular information on each of the pathways involved with sufficient details for all whose research touches this pathway. It provides a state-of-the-art update on all clinical aspects associated with this syndrome, including phenotype, diagnostics and epidemiology. It also includes an overview of the lessons learned from the preclinical research and pioneering trials on the fragile X syndrome for the investigators involved in clinical trials of neurodevelopmental disorders. This book is written for academic researchers, pharmaceutical investigators, and clinicians in the field who work on the disorder, and for researchers involved in clinical trials of the fragile X syndrome or related disorders. "This fascinating book, edited by Rob Willemsen and Frank Kooy, summarizes the current knowledge of the molecular aspects of fragile X syndrome (FXS), andthe potential for therapies resulting from this knowledge...Particularly interesting is a review "fragile X research from a parental perspective, which summarizes the results of an international survey of the attitudes of families with FXS relatives towards research...This book is also an essential reference book for genetic counselors...The book provides counselors with the necessary biological background for proper explanations to the relatives of FXS patients. Many parents acquire a substantial knowledge of the conditions afflicting their children. The book will be helpful for both families and counselors to manage the expectations of families participating in clinical trials...In conclusion, this book is essential for everyone who is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of FXS patients. - European Journal of Human Genetics (September 2018) - Provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular genetics, clinical trials, and treatment of Fragile X Syndrome - Written for academic researchers, pharmaceutical investigators, and clinicians in the field - Edited by international leaders in the field who have contributed greatly to the study of Fragile X Syndrome - Directs the reader through complex issues surrounding FXS and draws the literature together for researchers and clinicians

A tiny mutation on the X chromosome can shape a family’s history. Passed down from a “carrier” parent to a child, fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism. Beyond that—and a rarity among genetic disorders—some fragile X carriers not only transmit the mutation but also experience related conditions themselves. In such cases, carriers can have tremors, infertility, and psychiatric disorders that complicate raising children with fragile X syndrome—and all too often, they suffer in silence. The Carriers investigates this common but still little-known genetic condition and its life-altering consequences. Anne Skomorowsky reveals how this disorder afflicts families across generations, telling the stories of the mothers and grandparents of fragile X patients and considering how genes interact with family dynamics. She interweaves the personal narratives and family histories of the people affected by fragile X disorders with clear and accessible explanations of the science behind them. Skomorowsky unpacks the latest research on the fragile X mutation and explores the history of its discovery. She highlights the roles of women as carriers, caregivers, and researchers who have made astonishing scientific breakthroughs over the last three decades. The Carriers is an essential book for fragile X families, including those just learning they are carriers, and for all readers interested in the complexities of heredity, the ethical dilemmas of genetic medicine, and the relationship between genes and personality.

This new book is an up-to-date review of the clinical, epidemiological, and cytogenetic aspects of the fragile X (Martin-Bell) syndrome--the most common genetic cause of mental retardation after Down syndrome. The book includes the latest research findings concerning diagnosis on the basis of the appearance of a fragile site in cultured lymphocytes. It assumes little prior knowledge of the subject, and provides a clearly written, easy-to-understand discussion previously unavailable in a single reference source. The book will be of special interest to molecular biologists, cytogeneticists, medical geneticists, and clinicians and other professionals working with the mentally handicapped.

It has been more than 25 years since the identification of the FMR1 gene and the demonstration of the causative role of CGG-repeat expansion in the disease pathology of fragile X syndrome (FXS), but the underlying mechanisms involved in the expansion mutation and the resulting gene silencing still remain elusive. Our understanding of the pathways impacted by the loss of FMRP function has grown tremendously, and has opened new avenues for targeted treatments for FXS. However, the failure of recent clinical trials that were based on successful preclinical studies using the Fmr1 knockout mouse model has forced the scientific community to revisit clinical trial design and identify objective outcome measures. There has also been a renewed interest in restoring FMR1 gene expression as a possible treatment approach for FXS. This special issue of Brain Sciences highlights the progress that has been made towards understanding the disease mechanisms and how this has informed the development of treatment strategies that are being explored for FXS.

Epigenetics in Psychiatry, Second Edition covers all major areas of psychiatry in which extensive epigenetic research has been performed, fully encompassing a diverse and maturing field, including drug addiction, bipolar disorder, epidemiology, cognitive disorders, and the uses of putative epigenetic-based psychotropic drugs. Uniquely, each chapter correlates epigenetics with relevant advances across genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. The book acts as a catalyst for further research in this growing area of psychiatry. This new edition has been fully revised to address recent advances in epigenetic understanding of psychiatric disorders, evoking data consortia (e.g., CommonMind, ATAC-seq), single cell analysis, and epigenome-wide association studies to empower new research. The book also examines epigenetic effects of the microbiome on psychiatric disorders, and the use of neuroimaging in studying the role of epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression. Ongoing advances in epigenetic therapy are explored in-depth. - Fully revised to discuss new areas of research across neuronal stem cells, cognitive disorders, and transgenerational epigenetics in psychiatric disease - Relates broad advances in psychiatric epigenetics to a modern understanding of the genome, transcriptome, and proteins - Catalyzes knowledge discovery in both basic epigenetic biology and epigenetic targets for drug discovery - Provides guidance in research methods and protocols, as well how to employ data from consortia, single cell analysis, and epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) - Features chapter contributions from international leaders in the field

This new edition of Fragile X Syndrome includes updated information on the latest research findings -- especially in molecular biology -- as well as new photographs highlighting clinical features and thorough coverage of treatment and intervention, diagnosis, and research. Praise for the first edition: "Answers nearly all the questions that parents or clinicians might raise about fragile X syndrome....Can be recommended confidently as a thoroughly up-to-date, reliable, and informative account of the condition." -- Lancet "The clinical and cytogenetic material in this book is excellent and provides a strong background for physicians and students... Fragile X Syndrome still presents the best comprehensive treatment of this complex disorder. Physicians, students, and other interested professionals can either read this book from cover to cover or select the chapters that interest or apply to them." -- New England Journal of Medicine

This volume discusses the latest technologies used to study all aspects of Fragile-X Syndrome (FXS). The chapters in this book cover topics such as monitoring for epigenetic modifications at the FMR1 locus; modeling FXS with human pluripotent stem cells, mouse neural progenitors; mouse versus human-based models for FXS pre-clinical research; and Fragile-X associated with Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS). Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and thorough, Fragile-X Syndrome: Methods and Protocols is a valuable tool to help scientists working towards one day developing a therapeutic solution to improve the symptoms of FXS. Chapter "Induced Neurons for the Study of Neurodegenerative and Neurodevelopmental Disorders" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Expanded and revised, this unique book provides concise descriptions of the many causes of epilepsy, for use in clinical practice.

Neuronal and Synaptic Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability provides the latest information on Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), the lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders that present in early childhood and affect how individuals communicate and relate to others and their surroundings. In addition, three quarters of ASD patients also manifest severe intellectual disability. Though certain genes have been implicated, ASDs remain largely a mystery, and research looking into causes and cellular deficits are crucial for better understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders. Despite the prevalence and insidious nature of this disorder, this book remains to be an extensive resource of information and background on the state of current research in the field. The book serves as a reference for this purpose, and discusses the crucial role synaptic activity plays in proper brain function. In addition, the volume discusses the neurodevelopmental synaptopathies and serves as a resource for scientists and clinicians in all biomedical science specialties. This research has been crucial for recent studies that have provided a rationale for the development of pharmacological agents able to counteract functional synaptic anomalies and potentially ameliorate some ASD symptoms. - Introduces the genetic and non-genetic causes of autism and associated intellectual disabilities - Describes the genes implicated in autistic spectrum disorders and their function - Considers major individual genetic causes of autism, Rett syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and other autism spectrum disorders, as well as their classification as synaptopathies - Presents a thorough discussion of the clinical aspects of multiple neurodevelopmental disorders and the experimental models that exist to study their pathophysiology in vitro and in vivo, including animal models and patient-derived stem cell culture