Understanding how mothers and infants with Fragile X Syndrome interact
Official title: Maternal-Child RSA Synchrony in Infants with Fragile X Syndrome
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-11039921 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how mothers and their babies with Fragile X Syndrome connect and interact, comparing these moments to those between mothers and babies who develop typically, to help understand the unique challenges these families face and improve support for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $42,574 |
| NIH project number | 5F31HD114363-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11039921 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are mothers and their infants diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, particularly those under the age of 11.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Fragile X Syndrome or are not in the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the interactions between mothers and their infants diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, focusing on how their physiological and social states synchronize during interactions. By examining maternal-child synchrony, the study aims to identify how these interactions may differ in infants with Fragile X Syndrome compared to typically developing children. The research will utilize measures of physiological responses, such as heart rate variability, to assess the quality of these interactions and their implications for child development. The goal is to better understand the challenges faced by families affected by this condition and to inform future interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and support for families with infants affected by Fragile X Syndrome, enhancing developmental outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding maternal-child synchrony can significantly impact developmental outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hantman, Rachel — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Hantman, Rachel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding Fragile X Syndrome: How it progresses and affects daily life
A long-term study using existing Fragile X data to map how the condition changes over time in children and young adults, including how autism, race, and location influence outcomes.
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Sleep and mood links in Fragile X Syndrome
A short, patient-friendly study to understand how sleep problems relate to mood and depressive symptoms in people with Fragile X–linked autism.
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Connecting 3D genome misfolding to gene silencing in Fragile X syndrome
A study in people with Fragile X syndrome focuses on how 3D genome folding errors may turn off important genes, contributing to the condition’s features.
-
Cortical circuit problems in Fragile X mice and people
Researchers are studying how brain circuits go awry in Fragile X syndrome by comparing mice and people to understand why certain brain rhythms and responses are altered.
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Brain biology in fragile X syndrome: how brain signals unfold and vary in patients
This grant supports research to understand brain signals and why symptoms vary in people with fragile X syndrome, aiming to translate findings into better care.
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Brain research on Fragile X Syndrome to improve therapies
A multi-year program studies brain function and differences in Fragile X Syndrome to help develop better treatments for people with FXS.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.