Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

The protein MeCP2 normally forms a complex with several other proteins in the brain that helps to regulate the development of connections between brain cells, a study reported. These findings offer new insight into how Rett syndrome and other conditions caused by mutations affecting MECP2 can develop. The study…

A molecular sensor of infections called the NLRP3 inflammasome is overactive in immune cells of people with Rett syndrome, a new study reveals. The study, “The constitutive activation of TLR4-IRAK1- NFκB axis is involved in the early NLRP3 inflammasome response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of…

The Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT) has invested $3.1 million in a slew of research projects as part of its CURE 360 initiative. CURE 360, which launched last year, aims to help move preclinical advances toward treatments for Rett syndrome — with the ultimate goal of developing…

A cellular signaling pathway called the JNK pathway is overactive in cell and animal models of Rett syndrome, and blocking it lessens signs of the disease in these models, according to a new study. “These results suggest that JNK inhibition could offer an attractive therapeutic strategy to tackle RTT…

The MECP2 gene — mutations in which cause most cases of Rett syndrome — may be important for encoding early childhood traumas into the genetic wiring of the brain, affecting behaviors, a study in mice suggests. Titled “MeCP2 haplodeficiency and early-life stress interaction on anxiety-like behavior in adolescent…

A newly found mutation in the MECP2 gene that causes Rett syndrome was described in a recent report. The report highlights some of the considerations that need to be taken into account when testing for an unknown Rett-causing mutation. Here, a testing glitch showed an artificial result from…

The Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT) has received a $1 million donation to help develop a cure for Rett syndrome. The gift, provided by Alba Tull, philanthropist and co-founder of Tull Family Foundation (TFF), will support the RSRT’s CURE 360 initiative, a project that aims to be…

Novartis announced it is scrapping plans to move OAV201, an investigational gene therapy for Rett syndrome, into clinical trials. “The totality of the pre-clinical data [on OAV201] does not support a path forward to human clinical trials,” according to the company’s third quarter report for this year.

The International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF), an organization focused on accelerating research to treat and cure Rett syndrome, has been appointed to the National Health Council (NHC) Standard of Excellence program. “This is a great honor. It recognizes IRSF’s leadership in advancing treatments and cures for patients…

Abnormally slow or shallow breathing in Rett syndrome develops in part due to altered inhibitory signals in the brain, research done in a rat model of the disease suggests. Data also indicate that therapeutic approaches that amplify the brain’s inhibitory signals might be useful for Rett-related breathing problems. These…