What causes fragile X syndrome and who can get it?
Fragile X is a genetic condition. This means it is passed down from parents to children. A gene is a piece or ‘segment’ of DNA. The gene has a purpose (it codes things) – it carries information that determines things like your eye colour. Genes group together on top of chromosomes, like beads threaded on a string. In fragile X, one of the genes on the X chromosome (called the FMR1 gene) is faulty. It gets narrower near the tip of the X chromosome – this makes it fragile and therefore it can break easily. This gene normally makes a protein your body needs for your brain to develop. If there is a problem with the FMR1 gene, then your body makes none or not enough of the protein and this gives you the symptoms of fragile X. Fragile X syndrome affects all races and ethnic groups but boys are usually affected by the condition more seriously. This is because they only have one X chromosome. As girls have a second X chromosome, this can be used in place of, or to balance the fragile one. This
