UC Davis Fragile X Syndrome Research Points To Possible Autism Treatment
DAVIS (CBS) — Researchers at the University of California, Davis believe they've found a new possible treatment for autism.
Professor Randi Hagerman of the school's MIND Institute is leading research into children with Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic condition that causes developmental problems, including autism. The condition is caused by a repeat of a gene on the X chromosome—the longer the repetition, the more severely it affects the person.
"They just keep overreacting to stimuli," she told CBS Sacramento. "They get anxious and nervous–and they start acting out."
To calm those children, new research centered around a popular anti-anxiety drug is showing promising results.
"Low dose sertraline—at a very low dose; between 2.5 and 5 milligrams a day—really helps overall development, visual perception, fine motor coordination," she said.