Trial of Minocycline to Treat Children With Fragile X Syndrome

Summary

This is a single center study at the UC Davis MIND Institute in patients age 3.5-16 years of age with fragile X syndrome (FXS), funded by a National Fragile X Foundation Grant. It is a controlled trial of minocycline, an antibiotic commonly used in children for infection or for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. We are investigating its use in FXS because it lowers matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) levels, which are high in FXS, and it also strengthens brain connections in the animal models of FXS. We hypothesize that minocycline will likely be helpful for language, behavior and/or cognition in fragile X patients.

Timeline

Start

2010-01

Primary completion

2011-12

Completion

2011-12

Publications

• Background Bilousova TV, Dansie L, Ngo M, Aye J, Charles JR, Ethell DW, Ethell IM. Minocycline promotes dendritic spine maturation and improves behavioural performance in the fragile X mouse model. J Med Genet. 2009 Feb;46(2):94-102. doi: 10.1136/jmg.2008.061796. Epub 2008 Oct 3.

Drugs

Indications