Fragile X Syndrome

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Link to Autism?! I've never heard about this one...

http://www.nfxf.org/html/autism_and_fra ... ndrome.htm

Actually, this IS old news. Generally, Fragile X can cause stereotypical LFA mostly in males. It isn't the only cause, just one of them. Women are more likely to pass the gene because they are less likely to be affected because they have TWO copies of the chromosome, and one is BOUND to be OK.

Steve

Yes and no, according to what I've read. I've read that since women get another copy of the chromosome, they may only be carriers, but it may express itself in them, and only affect them to a smaller degree than it affects males. They end up with HFA or Asperger's diagnoses or possibly even just "learning disabilities".

NIH is doing a bunch of studies on autism right now, and I was accepted to participate until they found out that I had a history of "suicidal ideation" and then they had to kick me out. One thing they wanted to do was to test me for Fragile X and XXX syndrome/Triple X syndrome (the female equivalent of Klinefelter's). Apparently Triple X/XXX syndrome has a few things in common with autism as well, and XXX women who are fertile are more likely to have children with ASDs.

The whole genetics thing is so interesting. I wish they would hurry up and figure it all out, I hate unsolved mysteries!

WOW, you can have XXX and STILL be fertile? YIKES

Steve

That's what I've read, though apparently it's unknown how many women with XXX are fertile. Basically they just used to assume that all of them were sterile, but then they found some who weren't and realized that if you're fertile, chances are you're almost never going to be diagnosed as having XXX syndrome because they had no reason to go looking for it.

EDIT: Interestingly (or maybe not), before I/we realized that I had AS, my psychologist thought that I was XXX and was going to suggest I get tested for it.

My neighbour has fragile-X. He has two sisters who are both completely 'normal' (no Asperger's, HFA or 'learning disabilities').
They have been told they are both 'carriers': if they have a son, he will have fragile-X, but daughters would be 'OK'.

Fragile X syndrome was mentioned in a passing way in my biology textbook, so I decided to research it, because it did interest me.

It seems that X-chromosome abnormalities are a precipitating factor for AS. I should research the Penta X Chromosome abnormality.

Do Fragile X people look different than NTs and AS?

A while ago, there was a discussion about autistics looking different. ACTUALLY, the AS diagnosis makes it clear that AS HAS no such appearance. There ARE other things some AS people may have that lead to such an appearance though.

Some of those posts showed a difference. I think ALL can be present because of Fragile X. As Steel Maiden implied, that is not really because of Fragile X, but because of genetic variances that happen to be present in fragile X. SO, a person could have the appearance and none of the inherent problems, and NOT have fragile-X.

ALSO, women may not look any different but, as I recall, ALL men do.

Steve

Yes, that sounds rather correct. You do know your genetics, mate.

"Do Fragile X people look different than NTs and AS?"

People with Fragile X often have particular physical characteristics including large ears, a long face, large testicles, and malocclusion, amongst other things.

People with Autistic Spectrum Disorders are now not thought to share particular physical characteristics.

Just as an aside, as a child my parents were friends with the parents of a boy the same age as me who had Fragile X. Now I know about ASDs I understand some of his behaviours. We got on fine.