COGNITIVE AND MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF FRAGILE-X

The relationships among pal ental origin of the fragile X gene, gene s tructure, and specific cognitive deficits were evaluated in nonretarde d adult female fragile X carriers to determine whether: (1) origin inf luences gene structure and cognitive function, (2) mild cognitive impa irments are associated with altered gene structure, and (3) specific c ognitive domains are affected. Results indicated that 56% of women wit h maternally inherited, but none with paternally inherited, fragile X showed large genomic structural alterations and selective deficits on measures of visual attention. Thus, molecular status of the fragile X gene appears to be linked to parental origin and may selectively affec t specific cognitive skills.