What are the main causes of fragile X syndrome?

Fragile X syndrome is caused by the expansion or lengthening of the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome, known as a gene mutation. The X chromosome is one of two sex determining chromosomes. When the gene lengthens it switches off production of a protein that is involved in brain development and other functions. read more

What causes Fragile X Syndrome. Fragile X syndrome is caused by the expansion or lengthening of the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome, known as a gene mutation. The X chromosome is one of two sex determining chromosomes. When the gene lengthens it switches off production of a protein that is involved in brain development and other functions. read more

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an inherited genetic disease passed down from parents to children that causes intellectual and developmental disabilities. It’s also known as Martin-Bell syndrome. FXS is the most common hereditary cause of mental disability in boys. read more

Fragile X syndrome co-occurs with autism in many cases and is a suspected genetic cause of the autism in these cases. This finding has resulted in screening for FMR1 mutation to be considered mandatory in children diagnosed with autism. read more