FRAGILE X SYNDROME Pictures: (left) female; age 26, (right) male; age 2

Background Information  Fragile X Syndrome was discovered by Martin Bell in 1943  This disorder is the second most common cause of genetic mental deficiencies after trisomy 21  Females carry the gene more often than males, but only 1/3 of female carriers have the gene.  Fragile X Syndrome is inherited and shown at birth. The disorder is apparent in all ethnicities and races  The frequency of the disorder is 1/4000 males and 1/8000 females

Signs and Symptoms  behavioral difficulties  mild-to-moderate autistic like behavior  shyness  impulsivity  anxiety  mental retardation  ADD  ADHD  aggressive tendencies

Genetics  The disorder is shown in the end of the long arm of the X chromosome  A thin strand of genetic material that extends beyond the long arm is the cause of the disorder  Fragile X Syndrome is an X-linked dominant disorder

Treatment and Prevention  There is no cure for Fragile X Syndrome  Fragile X Syndrome does not effect a person’s life span  Treatment for this disorder is therapy