Drugs for Mental Retardation Might Not be Far

The New York Times reports that a new drug shows promising results with individuals with fragile X syndrome. The syndrome, caused by a genetic defect on the X chromosome, is the most frequent form of mental retardation in males and a common form for females. Because fragile X acts by limiting brain development it has never been thought of as a candidate for pharmaceutical treatment. This finding has implications for autism, as well, since the two disorders have been linked.