Treatments for fragile X syndrome: a closer look at the data.
Research into the determinants and developmental course of fragile X syndrome (FXS) has made remarkable progress over the last 25 years. However, treatments to ameliorate the symptoms of FXS have been less forthcoming. While there is optimism in the field that the pace of intervention research is quickening, there has been a bias toward psychopharmacological approaches to treatment. A closer look at the data from those investigations reveals a paucity of evidence that medications can improve intellectual and adaptive functioning in FXS, or decrease associated behavioral and/or emotional issues. Work in other related disorders (e.g., autism) has shown that dramatic improvements in intellectual and adaptive functioning, as well as behavioral and emotional problems, can occur if intensive behavioral treatment is begun early in the child's life. It is hoped that future research efforts will evaluate these intensive early intervention strategies in children with FXS, perhaps in combination with pharmacological approaches.
Hall
Scott S
SS
Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94305-5795, USA. hallss@stanford.edu
D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003000:Clonidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051860:Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 / Q000235:genetics; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000108:Acetylcarnitine; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003000:Clonidine; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D005492:Folic Acid; D051860:Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1; D008559:Memantine; C497683:FMR1 protein, human