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Fragile X Syndrome is a genetic disorder in which an individual’s X chromosome is mutated. This mutation causes mental retardation as well as autism and was not treatable– until now.

Mark Bear, the director of the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT, is the scientist who discovered the mutation that is responsible for Fragile X Syndrome. Apparently, the mutation is responsible for regulating the synapses- connections- between the brain cells. Bear makes an analogy to the system and cars.

Bear states, “you really need both the accelerator and the brake to properly function. In the case of Fragile X, it’s like the brakes are missing. So even tapping the accelerator can have the car careening out of control.”

According to NPR, the drugs, which were identified by Bear and other scientists, do not correct the brakes in the system. The drugs “limit acceleration by reducing the activity of a group of receptors on brain cells known as mGluR5 receptors.”

These drugs have reversed all most all of the effects of Fragile X in mice. They are currently being tested on humans and one study found that the first dose had an effect. One dose!

“The implications for people with Fragile X are huge. If the drugs work, people with the disorder could see their IQs rise and their autism diminish.”

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Photo courtesy of BBC News.

California is the first state to ban trans-fats from all restaurants and food retailers. Most restaurants in California (and around the country) have already stopped using trans-fats, however, fines between $25.00 and $1,000.00 will be given to those restaurants who violate this ban starting on January 1st, 2010.

Several studies have found that consumption of trans-fats is strongly linked to coronary heart disease, as well as an increase in the levels of “bad” cholesterol in our bodies. According to the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), Americans consume an average of 4.7 pounds of trans-fats each year. Several cities across the U.S. have already banned the fats, such as Seattle, Philadelphia, and New York City.

Trans-fats are derived from vegetable oils, but are chemically altered to add flavor and bulk to foods. The process is known as hydrogenation, which turns liquid oil into solid fat. It is a cheap way to also add a much longer shelf-life to the foods. Trans-fats are mainly used in frying foods, but also in baking products, such as cake mixes.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was stated banning trans-fats from California is a “strong step toward creating a healthier future” (BBC News).

When is the rest of the U.S. going to jump on the ‘attempt to be healthier’ bandwagon?

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Photo courtesy of istockphoto.com

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) conducted a doctorate study on small children who grow up in families where the mother has high levels of stress or families which lack social support. Based on the results, these children are at a much higher risk for developing anxiety or depression during early adolescence. Children who display more shyness or are short-tempered are more vulnerable than children who are more outgoing and display less intensity during emotional reactions. Girls are also significantly more vulnerable than boys to develop emotional problems later in life.

The most common emotional/mental problems in children, teens, and young adults is anxiety and depression. 10-20% of all children and young adults will display enough symptoms for a diagnosis of anxiety or depression while growing up. “Research indicates that girls tend to churn over problems and events more than boys. In addition, early puberty in girls is thought to make them extra vulnerable to developing depressive symptoms,” says Evalill Karevold, who conducted the NIPH study.

Evalill Karevold followed more than 900 families with children the age of 18 months old through adolescence. The study was conducted by giving interviews and questionnaires on levels of anxiety and depression to the children and mothers. The children would report their feelings, while the mothers would report the symptoms of their children. The questionnaires and interviews were also given to the mothers to have them report their thoughts on the risk and protective factors of the family environment.

“A main finding highlights the importance of environmental factors for families with children less than 5 years of age. Maternal distress symptoms, family stress and lack of social support in their children’s growing-up environment in pre-school age leads to an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms when these children reach 12-13 years old. In addition, the results show that girls are more likely to develop emotional problems at 12-13 years of age than boys” (Science Daily).

On top of this, children who are naturally shy are also at a much higher risk to develop anxiety, which may last throughout their life (depression is also a risk factor). The risk for developing emotional problems later in life increases by three times as much for boys who are inactive, versus boys who are more active in their daily lives. For reasons unknown, this does not seem to be true for girls.

“The results indicate that there can be two central developmental paths to emotional problems in early adolescence. One path goes through the child’s temperament, especially temperamental emotionality (tendency to react quickly and intensely). A different course goes through the environmental factors that are present when the children are at pre-school age” (Science Daily).

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