News

A new Phase 2 clinical study to evaluate the investigational therapy candidate Anavex 2-73 for the treatment of Rett syndrome has started in Australia, Anavex Life Sciences and the Rett Syndrome Association of Australia (RSAA) announced. The study (NCT03941444), named AVATAR,…

Preclinical data from mouse studies support initiating first-in-human clinical trials to explore the safety and effectiveness of the investigational gene therapy AVXS-201 in patients with Rett syndrome. Recent results have shown that one-time treatment with AVXS-201 is safe and well-tolerated in mice and non-human primates and supports the production…

Some people with Rett syndrome have an overabundance of nerve fibers associated with the senses in their skin, which may be linked to why some patients have cold hands and feet or are insensitive to pain, a small study found. The findings,…

A study in rats has provided new clues as to how the brain works to control body movements, which may have implications for disorders such as Rett syndrome. The study, “Strong neuron-to-body coupling implies weak neuron-to-neuron coupling in motor cortex,” was published in the journal Nature…

Mutations in the MECP2 gene, the underlying cause of Rett syndrome, affect  genes that regulate several cellular functions, including inflammation, cellular stress responses, and organization of cellular structures. The study with that finding, “Integrated analysis of human transcriptome data for Rett syndrome finds a network of involved genes,” was published in…

In the documentary “Minds Wide Open,” which spotlights advances in brain research, Monica Coenraad is cautiously hopeful about her daughter Chelsea’s future with Rett syndrome. “I don’t expect a 100 percent ‘like it never ever even happened’ cure for Chelsea, but I do think that there can be improvements,”…

Understanding protein alterations during the early phases of neuronal development may open the door to the development of new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for Rett syndrome, a study says. The finding, “Quantitative proteomic alterations of human iPSC-based neuronal development indicate early onset of Rett syndrome,” was published in…

Physical therapy and other medical interventions, together with daily support from family and caregivers, can help adults with Rett syndrome maintain or even regain their motor skills, and remain physically active, a case report reveals. The report describes how reconstructive orthopedic surgery plus…

Investigational therapy trofinetide showed promising safety and efficacy results as a treatment for children and adolescents with Rett syndrome, according to recent data from a Phase 2 clinical trial. A Phase 3 trial is now planned for the second half of this…

Discovery and development of therapies for Rett syndrome requires better preclinical research practices and study design to raise the chances of success in the clinic, according to a study reviewing current therapy development efforts. The review study, “A Coordinated Attack: Rett…