News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has selected Neurogene‘s NGN-401, an experimental gene therapy for Rett Syndrome, for its Support for Clinical Trials Advancing Rare Disease Therapeutics (START) pilot program. As part of START, which the FDA launched in September 2023, Neurogene will have enhanced communications with…

MeCP2, the protein impaired in most cases of Rett syndrome, controls the production of alpha-synuclein, a protein implicated in Parkinson’s disease, a study reports. Alpha-synuclein production was highest when the MeCP2 protein carried mutations from Rett patients with symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s, data showed. “MeCP2 is…

The first episode of “Magnolia’s Guide to Adventuring,” a documentary series that follows people with Rett syndrome and their families as they head out on adventures across the U.S. to raise awareness and inspire others living with the disease, has been released. Overseen by award-winning producer AJ Tesler…

NGN-401, Neurogene’s gene therapy candidate for Rett syndrome, was well tolerated in the first three patients dosed in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial. The Phase 1/2 trial (NCT05898620) is enrolling girls with Rett, ages 4-10, at three sites in the U.S. The company also plans to establish…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given a regenerative medicine advanced therapy (RMAT) designation to TSHA-102, an experimental gene therapy for Rett syndrome. RMAT is given to regenerative medicines — cell therapies, therapeutic tissues, human cell and tissue products, or any combination using such therapies or products…

The Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT) has partnered with Vivalink to use its Multi-Vital ECG wearable patch to monitor heart rate in people with Rett syndrome participating in the observational VIBRANT study. VIBRANT (NCT06338267) is set to enroll about 30 Rett patients at sites…

Health Canada has agreed to review Acadia Pharmaceuticals’ application seeking approval of trofinetide — sold in the U.S. as Daybue — for the treatment of Rett syndrome. The regulatory body granted the application priority review, which is reserved for submissions that address an unmet need or…

Children with the MECP2 gene-related disorders Rett syndrome and MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) experience atypical sensory processing, according to a recent study. Deficits in the MeCP2 protein chiefly cause Rett syndrome, whereas MDS occurs due to duplication of the chromosomal region containing the MECP2 gene. Unusual sensory effects…

The probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 was found to ease involuntary leg muscle contractions, known as dystonia, in Rett syndrome patients, according to a pilot study that tested the supplement’s impact on neurological outcomes. Noting that Rett syndrome “often involves gastrointestinal symptoms and gut microbiota imbalances,” the researchers had sought…

The Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT) is teaming up with partners in industry and academia to get ready for a study called VIBRANT, which plans to test innovative ways to measure and potentially monitor the symptoms of Rett syndrome in patients, with a focus on autonomic dysfunction. The…