Fragile X Syndrome: Intellectual Genetic Disability

A lot of various genes appear o be involved in autism spectrum disorder. For some children, autism spectrum disorder can be combined with a genetic disorder such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome. For other genetic changes may make a child more affected to autism or create environmental risk factors. Still other genes may affect the brain progress or the way that brain cells communicate, or they may determine the severity of symptoms. Some genetic problems seem to be innate, while others happen unconsciously. (Mayo clinic staff, 2014)

A) Similarities between the symptoms of Tay-Sachs and Fragile X as well as the treatments or interventions.

Females are carriers in their X-Chromosome and they have the chance of passing the disease on to their children, 50-50 to a girl and 50-50 to a boy. If the girl does receive the gene she becomes a carrier. If the boy gets the gene then he has the disease. Males do not pass on the gene to their children because they pass on the Y-chromosome and the disease is X specific. Some female carriers have indicators of being a carrier by having symptoms of cardiomyopathy, shortness of breath during exercise, and muscle weakness in the back, arms, and legs. There have been very rare instances where a girl has not received a

Approximately one-third of the females with Fragile X Syndrome have a substantial learning disability, the other two-thirds have mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. This two-thirds may also experience issues related to their mental/emotional health as well as social and/or general anxiety disorders. Although rare, there are some females whose FMR1 Gene, which is the gene responsible for causing FXS, fully mutates; thus, eliminating any apparent signs of Fragile X Syndrome. These females usually remain undiagnosed until another family member is diagnosed with the syndrome.

Fragile X Syndrome is a genetic condition causing intellectual disability, behavioural and learning challenges and various physical characteristics, it occurs in both genders but effects males more. Also is the most common gene for Autism worldwide, every week in Australia one child is born who is fully affected and 20 children are born who are carriers. It is estimated that 5 per cent of people with a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum disorder also have Fragile X.

Five other gene disorder that contributes to autism are (1) "EN2 (Engrailed 2) involved in cerebellum development. (2) GABR (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid Receptor) regulates brain cell migration. (3) OXTR (Oxytocin Receptor) participating in the response to stress and social skills. (4) RELN (Reelin) involved in neuronal migration in the developing brain. (5) SLC6A4, a serotonin transporter gene” (Johnson, Giarelli, Lewis, & Rice, 2013). As a result of all the researches done several chromosomal loci have been shown to be linked to Autistic Spectrum disorder including those at 2q24-2q31, 7q22-7q31, 7q34-7q36, and 17q11-17q21. Structural chromosomal changes involving deletions and duplication at 7q11, 15q11-15q13, 17p11.2, 22q11.2, and 22q13 have also been associated with forms of autism. However, the most common chromosomal abnormalities currently associated with autism include the fragile X mutation, other sex chromosome abnormalities, and abnormalities of 15q11-q13. “Evidence has shown that duplications of 15q11–q13 have led to higher risks of Autism Spectrum Disorder and developmental and cognitive deficits” (Flashner, Russo, Boileau, Leong, & Gallicano, 2013). Chromosome 15q11-q13.1 region is subject to genomic imprinting, which is an epigenetic process that results in monoallelic gene expression. Duplications lead to autism and are usually maternal in origin. Deletion of the maternal allele of chromosome 15q11-q13 cause Angelman syndrome (AS) a neurodevelopmental disorder

Fragile X Syndrome effects people of all ages from birth till death, in many different ways. Some people with the syndrome will show signs and symptoms but others may show none. Females often will not show signs or symptoms and the only way you can tell is through testing, but on

Fragile X Syndrome, or FXS, is the most commonly inherited form of mental problems and disabilities globally.

Fragile X Syndrome was identified in the year 1991. This disability affects more males than females. Approximately 1 in 4,000 males are affected, however only 1 in 8,000 females are affected (Lombroso, 2003). Fragile X generates in the FMR1 gene. Fragile X is caused by an excessively repeating tri-nucleotide,

The gene is mutated and it affects more males than females. Individuals with Fragile X have a large number of defects and disabilities including physical, cognitive, and neurobehavioral features (Jewell, J., 2004). This disability is caused by a gene that inactive which is the X chromosome. There is no known cure, yet, options are available to those who have this disorder. Individuals may receive speech therapy, physical therapy, and psychological services. For children attending school they may qualify for special education. Delays in cognition and learning are often associated with this syndrome. That's why; learning can be more challenging for these individuals. The impairments differ for those impacted with the syndrome. Accommodations are essential in order to meet the needs for each

Genes are a huge part of DNA that are passed from generation to generation. There are many genes on each chromosome; we have tens of thousands of genes that tell or bodies on how to develop. Genes are given letters to identify them. The gene responsible for fragile X syndrome is called FMR1. The FMR1 Gene is on the X chromosome. The FMR1 gene appears in four forms that are shown by the number of repeats of a pattern of DNA called CGG repeats. Individuals with less than 45 CGG repeats have a normal FMR1 gene. Those with 45-54 CGG repeats have what is called an “intermediate” or “grey zone allele,” which does not cause any of the known fragile X associated disorders. Individuals with 55-200 CGG repeats have

Fragile X Syndrome, also known as FRAXA syndrome, fra(X) syndrome, FXS, marker X syndrome, or Martin Bell syndrome, is a disorder onset by a genetic mutation in the FMR1 gene. This gene produces a protein called FMRP which regulates the production of other proteins and plays a role in the development of synapses, which are specialized connections between nerve cells (National Library of Medicine, 2014). The FMR1 gene has a DNA segment called CGG triple repeat, which is repeated about 5 to 40 times in a typically developing individual. There are two type of mutations associated with Fragile X: A full gene mutation and a gene premutation. In cases of individuals with a full gene mutation, the CGG segment is repeated more than 200 times (National Library of Medicine, 2014).

Fragile X Syndrome, commonly known as FXS, is the most inherited form of mental retardation. From a study conducted by Emory University School of Medicine (2015), at least 1 out of every 4,000 males and 1 out of 8,000 females are affected with this abnormality (Emory University School of Medicine, 2015). At present, new information on how to live with FXS are discovered daily. This is helpful to further expand the current knowledge and methodologies that are attributed to FXS. There is currently no cure for this abnormality. However, there are many areas of control where physicians and other healthcare professionals can provide intervention to improve the quality of life for who are patients diagnosed with this illness. According to Randi and Paul Hagerman (2012), there is still more to learn regarding the characteristics of FXS. Given the broader spectrum of involvement associated with fragile X syndrome, this health concern is far more sensitive compared to how it is being presented in the news report or social media (Hagerman, & Hagerman, 2012, p. 3). The instability caused by FXS affect a significant minority of children. Since this is the most common form of inherited developmental disability, it is often under-diagnosed (Carvajal, & Aldridge, 2011, p. 13). Although much has changed since FXS was first discovered in the 1950s, there is limited awareness regarding this health concern (Carvajal, & Aldridge, 2011, p. 13). The purpose of this research paper is to provide a

Genetic disorder has many diagnostic and common names for example, DMD is also known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy or Becker and pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy. DMD is a genetic disease that occurs mostly in boys. According to the “Muscular Dystrophy Association DMD is inherited in an X-linked pattern, because the gene that can carry a DMD-causing mutation is on the X chromosome. The male host inherits an X chromosome from his mother and a Y chromosome from his father, which is what makes him male. The female host inherits two X chromosomes, one from each parent.” (MDM). “The human X chromosome carries regions prone to genomic instability: deletions in the Xp22.31 region, involving the steroid sulfatase gene cause X-linked ichthyosis; rearrangements in the Xp21.2 region are associated with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD or BMD); and the Xq27.3 unstable region, containing the (CGG) in repeat expansion in the FMR1 gene is associated with fragile X syndrome stated in the article, “A Family with Fragile X Syndrome, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Ichthyosis Transmitted By An Asymptomatic Carrier”(Todorova, A)

Fragile X Syndrome is the most common known cause of inherited learning disability, affecting one in 4,000 men or boys and one in 6,000 women or girls. People with Fragile X Syndrome can have mild to severe learning disabilities. Their speech and language development may be delayed and they can experience anxiety in social situations. Behaviours associated with Fragile X can include a short attention span, impulsiveness, overactivity, dislike of eye contact, difficulty in relating to other people, the need for a familiar routine, repetitive speech and hand flapping or hand biting. Some of these are similar to difficulties that autistic people may experience. However, autism and Fragile X Syndrome are two different diagnoses. Some people are