FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ted Coutilish
(734) 320-7981
tcoutilish@fragilex.org
www.fragilex.org

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO: National Fragile X Foundation, www.fragilex.org

WHAT: Press Conference on Major Announcements Related to Premutation and Autism

WHEN: Thursday, July 26, 3:20 p.m.

WHERE: Intercontinental Hotel, Concourse II Room, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL 33131

SPEAKERS: Masha Mailick Seltzer, PhD, Director, University of Wisconsin Waisman Center Flora Tassone, PhD, Research Biochemist, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine; Investigator, UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis Elizabeth Berry-Kravis, MD, PhD, Neurology and Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago Don Bailey, PhD, Distinguished Fellow, Research Triangle International, NC Randi Hagerman, MD, Medical Director, UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis

The National Fragile X Foundation will announce major research findings related to the Fragile X premutation and to the relationship between the Fragile X protein and autism during its upcoming 13th International Fragile X Conference in Miami, Fl. July 25-29. Prominent research scientists in the Fragile X (FX) field will discuss their recent and soon-to-be-published papers. Both papers suggest an increased understanding of FX will lead to a better understanding, and ultimately treatment for, of other public health issues such as reproductive problems, tremor/ataxia/memory problems, mental health problems, and autism.

About the National Fragile X Foundation (www.fragilex.org):

  • The National Fragile X Foundation (www.fragilex.org) is the world’s leading advocacy organization for people affected by all Fragile X-associated Disorders.
  • FXS is the most common known cause of inherited intellectual disability. FXS symptoms include a range from learning disabilities to more severe cognitive or intellectual disabilities. Delays in speech and language development are common, as are a variety of physical and behavioral characteristics.
  • FXS is also the most common known, genetic cause of autism or autism spectrum disorders. FXS is caused by a “full mutation” of the FMR1 gene.

About Autism: 

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that an average of 1 in 88 children in the U.S. has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The disorder can vary from individual to individual, ranging from those with higher than usual intelligence who can function normally, except for some social challenges, to those with severe mental disability.
  • ASDs are reported to occur in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups and are almost five times more common among boys (1 in 54) than among girls (1 in 252).

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2012-07-19 — Media Release – Announce major breakthrough findings