Cincinnati Fragile X Research and Treatment Center

Welcoming Those Impacted By Fragile X Across All Ages

The Cincinnati Fragile X Center was started in 2012 by Dr. Craig Erickson. Over the last 12 years the program has grown exponentially adding additional physicians, psychologists, neuroscientists, research coordinators and research assistants and many others enabling the Cincinnati Fragile X Center to become one of the largest Fragile X programs in the world. At the Cincinnati Fragile X Center, we believe in a dual purpose to serve our family and individual stakeholders providing clinical care and research opportunities for individuals impacted by fragile X syndrome regardless of age. The Cincinnati Center has a commitment to providing cutting edge, collaborative clinical care for individuals with Fragile X Syndrome of all ages. Since its inception, the Cincinnati Fragile X Center has offered its families the opportunity to participate in a large number of research projects funded by the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), FRAXA Research Foundation, the National Fragile X Foundation, the Fragile X Alliance of Ohio, and others around the United States and the world. The Cincinnati Fragile X Center also includes a state-of-the-art basic science lab component conducting novel protein, genetic, gene therapy, EEG, pluripotent stem cell, drug treatment and other investigations specifically focused on Fragile X Syndrome. We have a true bench-to-bedside model of research in Fragile X linking our basic science lab work at all times to those individuals with Fragile X Syndrome that we serve every day.

We want to break down any possible barriers to engaging with a diverse group of Fragile X stakeholders around the United States and the world. Through research grants and generous donor mechanisms, we often can support some travel costs to our Center. Our Fragile X Center is committed to engaging individuals with Fragile X and their families in any way possible where it be in person in Cincinnati, on the phone or video calls providing support and guidance, formal telemedicine care across the USA, or by connecting stakeholders with one of our many educational opportunities for families.

For further information or to connect with the Cincinnati Fragile X Research and Treatment Center, please email fragilex@cchmc.org or call and leave us a message at (513) 803-1150.

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Our Approach to Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) represents the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism, affecting approximately 1 in 4,000 to 6,000 individuals in the general population. About two-thirds of individuals with FXS have a form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). FXS affects the X chromosome, specifically on the FMR1 gene; therefore, more males are diagnosed with FXS than females. Diagnosis of FXS is made through a DNA (blood) test. Cincinnati Fragile X Research and Treatment Center, located at Cincinnati Children’s and led by Craig Erickson, MD, serves males and females of all ages affected by FXS.

Since there is no cure for FXS, treatment focuses on improving the quality of life for the patient and family, which includes management of symptoms. An interdisciplinary team has been developed to provide an individualized level of treatment for each patient. The Fragile X Research and Treatment Center provides educational materials, behavioral medication management, behavioral and cognitive assessment, and behavior therapy interventions. Referrals for other services including speech therapy, occupational therapy, special education consultation, and genetic counseling, are available.