fragile X syndrome

[fraj-uhl eks sin-drohm, -druhm, frajahyl]

noun

1. an inherited genetic disorder caused by a faulty gene on the X chromosome and having various possible effects, including developmental delays in infancy and early childhood, learning disabilities, intellectual disability, and a number of social, behavioral, and physical difficulties.

fragile-X syndrome

noun

1. an inherited condition characterized by mental subnormality: affected individuals have an X-chromosome that is easily damaged under certain conditions

Word History and Origins

Origin of fragile X syndrome¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

Janet Rivera cares for both her 79-year-old mother, who has dementia, and her 25-year-old son, who has a genetic condition called Fragile X syndrome.

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The findings may also have implications for intellectual disabilities, such as Fragile X syndrome.

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He has Fragile X syndrome resulting in a learning disability which can impact communication, but not his love for music.

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Fragile X syndrome, the most common form of inherited intellectual disability, may be unfolding in brain cells even before birth, despite typically going undiagnosed until age 3 or later.

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A new study published today in the journal Neuron by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison showed that FMRP, a protein deficient in individuals with fragile X syndrome, has a role in the function of mitochondria, part of a cell that produces energy, during prenatal development.

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