Doctors uniting to unravel intellectual disability and autism gene for Fragile X Awareness Month
Today, Australian doctors are announcing their world-first endeavour to unravel the leading genetic cause of intellectual disability and autism, as part of Fragile X Awareness Month (July).
Fragile X Syndrome affects up to 100,000 Australians – many of whom are unaware they have the condition – and causes a range of physical and intellectual disabilities and behaviours.
Female carriers may experience infertility and early onset menopause, while some older male carriers may develop FXTAS – a condition affecting balance, tremor and memory, similar to Parkinson’s disease.
Although almost as widespread as cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy, Fragile X is greatly under-recognised and under-diagnosed in Australia.
BACKGROUNDER – About Fragile X – EMBARGOED JULY 26 2011