Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

Girls and women with Rett syndrome may have increased rate of menstrual seizures, also known as catamenial seizures, compared to healthy females, a study reports. Age of onset, and duration and flow of menstruation in girls and women with Rett were similar to healthy girls. Bone health concerns was…

The transition into adulthood of women with Rett syndrome warrants a tailored program and a multidisciplinary team to provide the best clinical care, according to a 13-year Italian study of the complex symptoms experienced by these patients. Most adults with Rett deal with symptoms ranging from epilepsy and bone…

Taysha Gene Therapies and Catalent have established a partnership to advance Taysha’s gene therapies for neurological disorders, including Rett syndrome. The partnership allows Taysha to use Catalent’s gene therapy facilities in Maryland to expand the company’s manufacturing capacity. The gene therapy for Rett, called TSHA-102, uses a modified,…

Treatment with the antidepressant mirtazapine preserves motor and respiratory function, as well as social behavior, in women with Rett syndrome, a study shows. Improved motor function also was seen in a mouse model of the disorder. The study, “Protective role of mirtazapine in adult female…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations to TSHA-102, a potential gene therapy for Rett syndrome. Taysha Gene Therapies, the treatment’s developer, plans to submit an investigational new drug application to the FDA in 2021 to…

Rettsyndrome.org has launched the International Rett Syndrome Foundation Medical Advisory Board, aiming to enhance care and research to help people with the neurodevelopmental disorder, according to the non-profit. The Advisory Board, composed of 11 Rett syndrome experts across leading hospitals and academic centers in the U.S., is chaired…

Parents of children with Rett syndrome face difficulties with healthcare access, time management, bureaucracy, and getting social care, a Spanish study reports. The study, “Challenges Affecting Access to Health and Social Care Resources and Time Management among Parents of Children with Rett Syndrome: A Qualitative Case Study,” was…

Taysha Gene Therapies received $95 million in funding that will support the clinical development of its gene therapy program for neurological disorders that include Rett syndrome. The gene therapy for Rett is called TSHA-102 and is one of 17 such treatments being developed by Taysha. All use…

A Phase 2/3 trial evaluating the treatment candidate Anavex-2-73 (blarcamesine) in children and adolescents with Rett syndrome has started dosing participants, according to Anavex Life Sciences, the therapy’s developer. The trial, named EXCELLENCE (NCT04304482), is testing the safety and efficacy of the small molecule therapy as…

Researchers have discovered that early inactivation of the X chromosome is a two-step process regulated by two different genetic structures, a finding that may open up new possibilities for the treatment of X-related diseases, such as Rett syndrome. The study, “Xist Repeats A and B…