The aim of this study is to investigate relations between molecular genetic and brain abnormalities underlying social-emotional and cognitive functioning in adult males with the fragile X premutation. The fragile X premutation, associated with a CGG repeat expansion of 55 to 200 in the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome, is a relatively common genetic condition, present in an estimated 1 per 813 men and 1 per 250 women. Until recently, it was believed that carriers of the premutation were clinically unaffected. Recent evidence, however shows that a proportion of these individuals have significant social, emotional, and cognitive deficits, and even autism and mental retardation. We have found that some will go on to develop in their later years a newly discovered, progressive neurological disorder, fragile X associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). We have evidence that FXTAS, and even psychological disturbance in earlier adulthood, is related to a toxic gain of function effect from elevated FMR1-mRNA in the premutation CGG repeat range. We hypothesize that limbic dysfunction underlies social-emotional and memory deficits in young adult individuals with the premutation. In the current study, we will use structural and functional MRI to determine whether men with the premutation (ages 18 to 45 years), in comparison to an age and IQmatched group of men, demonstrate abnormal brain morphology and function in limbic brain regions, focusing on the hippocampus and amygdala, and related brain regions associated with memory and socialemotional dysfunction. We will also examine psychiatric symptoms related to mood disorder and social cognition and reciprocity in these subjects, and examine whether measures of FMR1 gene function, including elevated mRNA, are associated with the morphology and function of these limbic brain regions. This research will lead to a better understanding of gene-brain-behavior relations associated with the FMR1 premutation. In addition, the knowledge of multiple systems of involvement in the premutation generated from this work will lay the groundwork for more targeted psychopharmacological, behavioral, and perhaps genetic intervention studies in the future. The study of a relatively homogeneous single gene condition such as the fragile X premutation provides a model system for understanding links between molecular genetic, brain, and psychiatric features of more complex disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH078041-04
Application #
7828125
Study Section
Clinical Neuroscience and Disease Study Section (CND)
Program Officer
Gilotty, Lisa
Project Start
2007-06-01
Project End
2012-05-31
Budget Start
2010-06-01
Budget End
2011-05-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$315,246
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Davis
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
047120084
City
Davis
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95618
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Shickman, Ryan; Famula, Jessica; Tassone, Flora et al. (2018) Age- and CGG repeat-related slowing of manual movement in fragile X carriers: A prodrome of fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome? Mov Disord 33:628-636
Jiraanont, Poonnada; Sweha, Stefan R; AlOlaby, Reem R et al. (2017) Clinical and molecular correlates in fragile X premutation females. eNeurologicalSci 7:49-56
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Hessl, David; Grigsby, Jim (2016) Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome: another phenotype of the fragile X gene. Clin Neuropsychol 30:810-4
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Wong, Ling M; Goodrich-Hunsaker, Naomi J; McLennan, Yingratana et al. (2014) Eye movements reveal impaired inhibitory control in adult male fragile X premutation carriers asymptomatic for FXTAS. Neuropsychology 28:571-584

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