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Essay On Fragile X Syndrome

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Fragile X syndrome, also called Martin- Bell syndrome or Marker X syndrome is an incurable genetic condition characterized by inherited mental retardation, intellectual disability and learning disabilities. This is considered the second most common cause of genetically associated mental deficiencies, after trisomy 21. A notable feature of this disorder is that the penetrance shows an increase tendency with passing generations. Although this genetic disorder is incurable, life expectancy is not affected in people with fragile X syndrome because there are usually no-life threatening health issues associated with this disorder. Fragile X syndrome is predominant in boys who present with some level of intellectual disability than in girls who may present only with some learning disability. Per statistics from www.emedicine.medscape.com, conservative estimates are that fragile X syndrome affects about 1 in 2500 -4000 males and 1 in 7000 – 8000 females. It also stated that the prevalence of female carrier status has been estimated to be as high as 1 in 130 – 250 population, the prevalence of male carrier status is estimated to be 1 in 250 – 800 population.
Fragile X syndrome is inherited in an X- linked dominant pattern. This is because the mutated gene that causes the disorder is located on the X …show more content…

This is a situation in which a DNA segment known as the CGG triplet repeats and is expanded within the FMR1 gene. DNA segment normally repeats 5 to approximately 40 times. In fragile X syndrome patients, the CGG is repeated more than 200 times. This abnormally expanded CGG segment silences the FMR1 gene, which prevents the gene from producing FMRP. FMPR is protein that helps to regulate the production of other protein and aids in the development of synapses. Deficiency of FMRP thus disrupts nervous system function and leads to signs and symptoms of fragile X

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