FX ENTRAIN: Perturbation of Neurodynamics Underlying Sensory Hyperarousal and Statistical Learning in Youth With FXS
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
Summary
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation on the X chromosome. Scientists have investigated FXS extensively in both humans and animals. Thus far, phenotypic rescue in animal models has not resulted in treatment breakthroughs in humans, though some important discoveries have been made. Research has shown that individuals with FXS process sounds differently than those in the typical population, and they also show baseline differences in brain activity, including high gamma activity, increased theta activity, and decreased alpha activity. The investigators' central hypothesis is that these alterations in brain activity (specifically alpha and gamma activity) impair the brain's ability to process new information, thereby impeding cognitive functioning and increasing sensory sensitivity. The investigators propose that auditory entrainment, a technique that involves playing special sounds through headphones, will normalize brain activity in individuals with FXS and lead to increased cognitive function and decreased sensory hypersensitivity.
Description
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an exemplar monogenetic neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) where a tremendous body of multi-species translational research has elucidated the underlying molecular pathophysiology, and more recently, in-depth electrophysiology of cortical function. Thus far, phenotypic rescue in animal models has not resulted in treatment breakthroughs in humans. Central to this discrepancy is a poor understanding of the constituent neurodynamics of averaged group effects and individual variability in human brain activity as related to higher-level cognitive symptomatology and clinica…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 5–10 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * FXS Cohort: 1) Aged 5-10 years, inclusive; 2) Patient has full FMR1 mutation confirmed by genetic testing. * ASD Cohort: 1) Aged 5-10 years, inclusive; 2) Have no known genetic mutation; 3) Have documentation of ASD diagnosis; 4) Score ≤ 15 on SCQ screen; 5) Be in good health per investigator. * TDC Cohort: 1) Aged 5-10 years, inclusive; 2) Have no known genetic mutation; 3) Have documentation of ASD diagnosis; 4) Score ≤ 15 on SCQ screen; 5) Be in good health per investigator; 6) Patient has met normal developmental milestones; Patient has no family history of heritable…
Interventions
- OtherAlpha Auditory Entrainment
Alpha Brainwave Entrainment (AAE) stimulus: starts at high theta range (7-Hz) through high alpha (13-Hz) in 2 Hz steps on a 500 Hz sine carrier tone Target frequency: 10 Hz Delivery: headphones/speakers
- OtherSham
Sham stimulus: carrier tone alone Target frequency: N/A Delivery: headphones/speakers
Location
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnati, Ohio