Novel Clinical Target in Fragile X Syndrome

This is an interventional other trial for Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) focused on measuring FXS Read More

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Inclusion criteria for healthy volunteers:

1. Ages 18-65
2. Either gender and all ethno-racial categories
3. Capacity to provide informed consent
4. Female participants are expected to use an effective method of birth control throughout the study which includes: hormonal methods (birth control pills, patches, injections, vaginal ring or implants), barrier method (condom or diaphragm) used with spermicide, intrauterine device (IUD), or abstinence (no sex)
5. Can travel to Stanford for 2 scan days.

Inclusion criteria for individuals with FXS:

1. Males who are physically healthy
2. Aged between 18 and 30 years inclusive
3. Can travel to Stanford for a 2-day visit.
4. IQ between 40 and 80 points.
5. Ability to remain seated for more than 10 minutes.
6. Have an established genetic diagnosis of FXS (full mutation with evidence of aberrant methylation of the FMR1 gene, confirmed by genetic testing).

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Exclusion criteria for healthy volunteers:

1. Any current or lifetime psychiatric diagnosis
2. Current or past use of psychotropic medication for purposes of treating a mental illness
3. Pregnant or nursing females
4. Major medical or neurological problem, including anemia (Hb , 12 g/dl in women and <14 g/dl in men) (e.g., unstable hypertension, seizure disorder, head trauma)
5. Current diagnosis of vasculopathy or Raynouds
6. Participant is unable to tolerate being off of anticoagulant medication during study
7. Positive urine screen for illicit drugs
8. Presence of metal in the body that is contraindicated for MRI scans
9. Current exposure to radiation in the workplace, or history of participation in nuclear medicine procedures does not exceed defined annual limits
10. Stanford University student status (i.e., we will exclude students such as undergrads, grad students and postdocs that currently attend at Stanford University)

Exclusion criteria for individuals with FXS:

1. Any contraindication for MRI scanning procedures (metal in body, braces, claustrophobia, etc.)
2. No history of with substance abuse, traumatic brain injury and
3. BMI greater than 18.5
4. Diagnosis of a known genetic disorder (other than FXS).
5. Active medical problems such as unstable seizures, congenital heart disease, endocrine disorders.
6. Significant sensory impairments such as blindness or deafness.
7. DSM-5 diagnosis of other severe psychiatric disorder such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
8. Pre-term birth (<34 weeks' gestation) or low birth weight (<2000g).
9. Current use of benzodiazepines. Individuals who are taking concomitant psychoactive medications will be tracked and examined in post-hoc analyses, given that it is extremely difficult to recruit individuals who are medication-free or who are willing to go off those medications prior to entering the study.
10. Current exposure to radiation in the workplace, or history of participation in nuclear medicine procedures does not exceed defined annual limits