An association of FRAXE expression with concurrent methylation of the CpG island and mild non-specific mental handicap in males has been reported by several groups.
The cytogenetic expression of the folate sensitive fragile site, FRAXE, is due to the expansion of a GCC repeat in proximal Xq28 of the human X chromosome and is associated with a mild form of mental handicap.
The cytogenetic expression of FRAXE is thought to be associated with mental handicap, but this is usually mild compared to that of the more common fragile X syndrome that is associated with the expression of the FRAXA fragile site.
A relationship between FRAXE and non-specific mental impairment is strongly suggested by the occurrence in these families of more mentally impaired male and female carriers, after removal of index cases, than could reasonably be expected by chance.
The expression of FRAXA is associated with the fragile X syndrome, the most prevalent form of inherited mental retardation whilst the expression of FRAXE is associated with a rarer and comparatively milder form of mental handicap.
A loss-of-function mutation in the FMR1 gene leads to subtle changes in neural development and subsequent mental impairment characteristic of FX. hNPCs were isolated from fetal cortex carrying the FMR1 mutation to determine whether aberrations occur in their proliferation and differentiation.
The protein product, FMRP, is highly expressed in neurons of the normal mammalian brain, and absent or in low levels in leukocytes from individuals with fragile X (FraX)-associated mental impairment.
We conclude that the excess of intermediate and premutation sized alleles for FRAXA may well be a contributing factor to the boys' mental impairment, while that for FRAXE may be a chance finding.
The expression of FRAXA is associated with the fragile X syndrome, the most prevalent form of inherited mental retardation whilst the expression of FRAXE is associated with a rarer and comparatively milder form of mental handicap.
Duplications in Xq28 involving the methyl CpG binding protein 2 gene (MECP2) have been described in male patients with severe mental disability, delayed milestones, absence of language, hypotonia replaced by spasticity and retractions, and recurrent and often severe infections.
SPG11, an AR-HSP (synonym: HSP11), is a complicated HSP associated with a slowly progressive spastic paraparesis, mental impairment and the development of a thin corpus callosum (TCC) during the course of the disease.
Therefore, implementation of systematic screening of MECP2 in MR patients should result in significant progress in the field of molecular diagnosis and genetic counseling of mental handicap.
Our data indicate that astrocytes expressing mutant HRAS dysregulate cortical maturation during development as shown by abnormal extracellular matrix remodeling and implicate excessive astrocyte-to-neuron signaling as a possible drug target for treating mental impairment and enhancing neuroplasticity.