By Randy Dotinga HealthDay Reporter Latest Mental Health News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 19 (HealthDay News) -- In a preliminary study, scientists are reporting that an experimental pill designed to treat fragile X syndrome -- a genetic condition tied to intellectual impairment, or "mental retardation," and some cases of autism -- may help patients develop better social skills. The scientists are continuing to study the medication and have launched research into whether it may also help social withdrawal in those with autism. However, it's still not clear if the drug works, nor do its developers know how much it might cost. It's also not known whether other medications in development might do a better job, either in conjunction with the new drug or instead of it. Still, the results so far are promising, and the medication "could be an important model for developing treatments for autism," said Dr. Michael Tranfaglia, medical director of the FRAXA Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization seeking better treatments for fragile X syndrome. Fragile X syndrome is caused by the loss of the gene for fragile X mental retardation protein. The condition affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States, potentially leading to mental retardation, epilepsy, autism … Continue reading →

An experimental drug showed promising results in treating the key symptom of social withdrawal in people with Fragile X syndrome, the most common known inherited cause of autism with intellectual disability, according to a recent clinical trial. The drug, known as arbaclofen or STX209, is a derivative of the FDA-approved drug, baclofen, which is primarily used to treat muscle spasticity in conditions like cerebral palsy and is being studied as a treatment for alcoholism and other addictions. The new study, published in Science Translational Medicine, hints that arbaclofen could be the first drug to treat symptoms of Fragile X and other autism spectrum disorders, and even other conditions involving social avoidance. This is an important trial, says Eric Hollander, director of the autism and obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder program at Montefiore/Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York, who was not associated with the study. It should be of interest to the entire field of neurodevelopmental disorders, he says. (MORE: Treating Alcohol Addiction: A Pill Instead of Abstinence?) Fragile X syndrome is caused by a defect in the FMR1 gene, located on the X chromosome. It is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability, particularly in boys, who are … Continue reading →

LA CROSSE, Wis (WEAU)- 1 in 88 children are diagnosed with an autism disorder in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It can be a hard time for parents, and one couple in La Crosse found that support for them when their son was diagnosed was lacking. So they decided to do something about it. Miriah White and her husband started Mighty Oak Family Consultants earlier this year, and they specialize in helping families that are struggling with autism find a plan Families are able to express what they need help with right now, and we go and create an action plan with their needs. We meet with them, and follow through with actions to improve the childs life, Miriah White. Whites son was diagnosed with autism at 3 years old. Since then shes quite her teaching job to work with her son, and dedicated her career to helping other families going through the same thing. I just think that always helps to be talking to someone who has been where you are. Theres an instant connection and it allows for more collaboration and working together, said White. One of the families shes currently … Continue reading →

Q: My husband is recovering from a stroke, which he experienced six months ago. His entire right arm is stiff, and his hand is held in a clenched fist. This makes it hard for him to do daily tasks, such as putting on a shirt. Is this common? A: Stroke, spinal cord injury, and acquired brain injury can be devastating illnesses. These diseases affect the central nervous system, which consists of the brain and the spinal cord. When first diagnosed with a potentially devastating nervous system disease, the first thing a person thinks about is survival. Secondly, they may become focused on the deficits parts of the body that just arent working right. For example, after a stroke, some patients experience problems speaking and understanding. Others have difficulty walking or using their hands. With rehabilitation treatment, some deficits may improve significantly in short order, while others may take more time. Sometimes, there will be some residual deficits. Spasticity is one of those challenging deficits. Its a condition where there is altered muscle function. In the simplest terms, the muscle is simply overactive working without full control of the brain and spinal cord. The result is muscle tightness, stiffness and, sometimes, … Continue reading →