Understanding how sensory issues affect social touch in Fragile X Syndrome
Official title: Circuit Defects Underlying Deficits in Social Touch in Fragile X Syndrome
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11144607 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people with Fragile X Syndrome feel and react to different kinds of social touch, like hugs or handshakes, to help us understand their social interactions better and find ways to support them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $431,582 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD054453-17 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144607 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome or autism, particularly those who experience sensory hypersensitivity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Fragile X Syndrome or autism, or those who do not experience sensory processing issues, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the sensory hypersensitivity experienced by individuals with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and its impact on social interactions. By using a novel assay in mice, the study aims to explore how these individuals respond to different types of social touch, such as hugging or handshakes, and how these responses may be linked to their brain activity. The goal is to better understand the relationship between sensory processing and social behavior, which could lead to improved interventions for those affected by FXS and autism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for helping individuals with Fragile X Syndrome and autism manage their sensory sensitivities and improve their social interactions.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of examining social touch in animal models of FXS is novel, related research has shown promising results in understanding sensory processing in autism.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Portera-Cailliau, Carlos — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Portera-Cailliau, Carlos
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.
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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.