News

MeCP2-boosting Approaches Led to Toxic Events in Mice

Providing a working version of MECP2 — the gene mutated in most cases of Rett syndrome — to cells reversed disease-specific symptoms in a mouse model of a common, milder form of Rett syndrome, a study shows. However, female mice treated with this approach showed signs of excessive, toxic levels of MeCP2, the…

Changes in Gut Microbiota Associated With Disease Severity

The richness and diversity of the gut’s microbial community, or microbiota, are reduced significantly after puberty and associated with greater disease severity in girls and young women with Rett syndrome, a study shows. These findings add to the growing body of evidence linking Rett syndrome and altered gut microbiota.

Disease Severity Tied to Two Neuroprostanes

Elevated levels of two neuroprostanes — markers of oxidative stress, a result of insufficient antioxidant defenses against toxic free radicals — are linked with symptom severity and type of mutations in people with Rett syndrome, a study reports. These findings support the potential of the neuroprostanes as biomarkers to…

Potential Gene Therapy TSHA-102 Does Well in Animal Study

TSHA-102, an experimental gene therapy for Rett syndrome, safely and effectively normalized levels of MeCP2 — the protein missing or defective in most Rett patients — in the brain and significantly improved survival in a mouse model of the disease, a study shows. Notably, the data suggest this investigational treatment can…

Daytime Teeth Grinding Means More Dental Work

People with Rett syndrome who grind their teeth during the day had a higher incidence of dental treatment, particularly restorations, than those who did not, an international database study reported.  The findings also showed that patients fed orally had more dental…