Novel Clinical Target in Fragile X Syndrome

In this study, we measured sigma-1 receptor density in the regions of interest in brain known to be involved in executive functioning and cognition using 18F-FTC-146 PET. We then compared S1R density in areas ROIs not involved in executive functioning and cognition. This provided a framework for predicting functional impairment based on brain-behavior relationships. The study had two aims. The first aim was to evaluate the reliability of 18F-FTC-146 brain uptake in healthy controls under test and retest conditions to establish a baseline measure of S1R density and quantify regional brain uptake of radiotracer in five healthy adults. The second aim was to characterize S1R density in brains of young adult males with FXS which will then be compared to healthy volunteers. This was the very first PET study to image sigma-1 receptor density in participants with fragile X syndrome, thereby testing whether altered receptor density is present in brain in fragile X syndrome patients when compared to healthy volunteers. If confirmed, the current study would have provided compelling clinical-translational support for an important pathophysiological mechanism of cognition and executive function. The study had considerable potential for advancing the neurobiological understanding of fragile X syndrome in humans.