Therapeutics: Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4); fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1)

Mouse and fly studies suggest that PDE-4 inhibitors could help treat cognitive impairment in patients with fragile X syndrome. In a fly model of fragile X syndrome, cAMP levels in the head were lower than in control flies and the PDE-4 inhibitor rolipram increased cAMP levels in the head compared with vehicle. Also in the fly model, rolipram increased immediate-recall memory and short-term courtship memory compared with vehicle. In a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, rolipram increased the excitatory postsynaptic potential compared with vehicle. Next steps include clinical testing of PDE-4 inhibitors to treat fragile X syndrome...