Moderated by Missy Zolecki, presented by Elizabeth Berry-Kravis, MD, PhD, and Craig A. Erickson, MD.
This session will cover currently available supportive medications for treating anxiety, irritability, and agitated and aggressive behaviors that can be problematic in Fragile X syndrome. Medication classes and specific medications within each class will be described. Medication classes to be discussed will include SSRIs, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics. Reasons for choosing medications from a particular class or specific medications within a class will be discussed, as well as the mechanism of action of different medications, dosing strategies, and potential benefits and side effects that can be seen from different medications. There will be time for questions and discussion at the end of the session.
Runtime: 1:04:40
Additional resources and controls for this video are accessible just below the video: Play/pause, volume, subtitles, view transcript, watch as picture-in-picture, or in fullscreen mode.
About the Speakers
Missy Zolecki
Director, Community Empowerment at National Fragile X Foundation
Elizabeth Berry-Kravis, MD, PhD
Professor at Rush University Medical Center
Elizabeth Berry-Kravis, MD, PhD, is a professor of Pediatrics, Neurological Sciences, and Biochemistry at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. She attended the University of Notre Dame for her undergraduate studies and the University of Chicago for her medical degree, PhD, and training in pediatric neurology. She moved to Rush in 1992 and established the Fragile X Clinic and Research Program, through which she provides care to over 700 patients with fragile X syndrome.
She has studied fragile x syndrome medical issues, epilepsy, and psychopharmacology, and has been a leader in translational research, including the development of outcome measures and biomarkers, natural history studies, newborn screening, and particularly clinical trials of new targeted treatments. Her laboratory studies cellular roles of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), its relationship to phenotypes, and optimization of genetic testing methods.
In the past decade, she has expanded clinical translational work to other neurodevelopmental disorders and genetic neurodegenerative diseases including autism spectrum disorder, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Rett syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Smith-Magenis syndrome, DDX3X syndrome, Niemann-Pick type C, Batten disease, pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration, and creatine transporter deficiency. She has over 250 publications on genetic neurological diseases and is on advisory and review boards for the FRAXA Research Foundation, National Fragile X Foundation, Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation, International Rett Syndrome Foundation, Angelman Syndrome Foundation, Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics, and the GATHER Foundation.
She has received the NFXF Jarrett Cole Clinical Award, FRAXA Champion Award, NFXF William and Enid Rosen Research Award, March of Dimes Jonas Salk Research Award, American Academy of Neurology Sidney Carter Award in Child Neurology, John Merck Fund Sparkplug Award, FRAXA Ingenuity Award, and Child Neurology Society Denckla Award for her work in treatment translation for fragile x syndrome and genetic cognitive disorders.
Craig A. Erickson, MD
Professor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Craig A. Erickson, MD is a Professor of Psychiatry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine-Affiliated. Dr. Erickson leads a neurodevelopmental clinical and research group focused on improving clinical care through research discovery. He is the Director of the Cincinnati Fragile X Research and Treatment Center which is one of the largest such programs in the world. He serves as the Chair of the Clinical Trials Committee organized by the National Fragile X Foundation and is a leader in translational medicine efforts in fragile X syndrome, autism, and related disorders. Additionally, he is the director of research in the Division of Psychiatry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Additional Resources
When discussing Fragile X syndrome and behavior, it is important to note that — like every person — the focus should be on the individual. Many behaviors are positive, and it is those behaviors you will see most often in addition to challenging behaviors. Behavior problems serve a purpose (or a function) and are often a form of communication. Addressing behavioral challenges in an individual with FXS should start with a comprehensive evaluation. A proactive approach with appropriate support and accommodations will likely foster positive outcomes and set up the individual with FXS to succeed in their home, school, or community.