The Neurobiology of Mental Retardation: Fragile X Syndrome
In my previous paper, I wrote on the topic of the nature-nurture debate and the ways it related to the brain-equals-behavior dilemma. In this paper, I will continue this investigation into the link between genes and neurobiology, but I will focus in on a particular aspect of the relationship: neurological disease caused by genetic aberration. There are many well studied and well documented (thought not necessarily well understood) disorders associated with the X chromosome, and a large number of these have neurobiological roots and behavioral manifestations. One such disease is fragile X syndrome. Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of learning disabilities and mental retardation known (1). The disease shows an x-linked inheritance pattern and is characterized by a host of symptoms ranging from impaired learning abilities to severe retardation and autistic behaviors (1). An understanding of the disease is vital on several levels. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) not only bears scientific significance for the fields of molecular genetics, transmission genetics, neurophysiology, and abnormal psychology. It also provides one with a vantage point from which to view the particular set of behaviors known as mental retardation as well as those afflicted by retardation who are too often stigmatized and marginalized in our society.
Before analyzing the neurobiological basis of FXS, it is pertinent to examine the genetics underlying the disease. As stated before, FXS is known to be x-linked which means that the disease will appear roughly in twice as many male cases as female. This is because males, who have only a single copy of x-linked genes which they inherit on...
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... syndrome and Downs Syndrome are also forms of mental retardation, the latter of which is not even an inborn error of metabolism- it is a chromosomal disorder. And yet the particular subset of behaviors in question is all called mental retardation. Thus, more cytological and neuro-imaging research must be conducted to fully elucidate the complexities of FXS. For the time being, I think, it is safe to assume that the link between a single gene and a complex class of behaviors is strong for fragile X syndrome.
WWW Sources
1)National Fragil X Foundation
http://www.fragilex.org/
2)Neurosciences on the Internet
http://www.neuroguide.com/cgi-bin/pdistoc.pl?file=fragile
3)Genetic Causes of Mental Retardation
http://specialed.freeyellow.com/YAdaptUse.html
4)Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
http://www3.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=309550
In this research paper, I will address the changes that occurred within the ecosystem of Yellowstone National Park since the reintroduction of the grey wolves. The paper will consist of four sections; the first section will include the history behind the extirpation and subsequent reintroduction of the gray wolf in Northern America. The second section will explore the political controversy that surrounds the reintroduction of the gray wolf in Yellowstone. The third section will contain discuss the gray wolf and its impact on the ecosystem of Yellowstone. I will conclude my essay by explaining how the gray wolves act as climate change buffers in Yellowstone amidst global warming.
Percy, A. K. (1999). Inherited neurodegenerative disease: The evolution of our thinking. Journal of Child Neurology, 14(4), 256-62. Retrieved from
Chapter thirteen has two subject matter that it discusses in some detail, mental illness and developmental disabilities. This review will be exploring the history, philosophy and theories of developmental disabilities. Social workers come in contact with many clients that have developmental disabilities, and the chapter gives a glimpse the history, problems, and theories related to developmental problems. Chapter thirteen explores the issues of dealing with developmental disabilities in the past and what is being done today to help social workers face the issues.
Wheelen, Thomas L. and J. David Hunger. Strategic Management and Business Policy, 13th Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc., 2012. Print.
While studying the Kingdom of God from the perspectives of Derek Morphew in Breakthrough and Charles H. Kraft in Christianity with Power, it has opened my mind up to completely new and interesting discoveries when considering the power that has already been given to God’s children while here on earth. It is utterly mind blowing realizing that many Christians, including myself, have not tapped into their full potential of unleashing the expectations of the risen Savior. Christians have come to believe that they are helpless and powerless against any of Satan’s attacks; however, that belief is not the reality that Christ intended when He laid down His life on the cross. When Jesus came to live on earth and walk among His people, He came not only with a goal to unleash His Kingdom, but He also came with the supernatural ability to unleash His Kingdom and thereby impressing upon His children the victorious ability to daily live in supernatural abundance. He came for so that those who believe in Him would be set free and no longer held bondage. Kraft stated in Christianity with Power, “But Jesus acted as if healings and other uses of spiritual power to overcome natural, human, or spiritual conditions ought to be the normal occurrences” (Kraft, 1989, p. 102). Derek Morphew stated it this way in Breakthrough, “the mysterious nature of the kingdom consists of the fact that it is always here, almost here, delayed and future” (Morphew, 1991, p. 66).
According to Hassold and Sherman (2002), the probability of giving birth to a child with DS is not linked to any race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or geographic location. Maternal age seems to be the only etiological factor that may cause DS. Some characteristics of DS include: deep folds at the corners of the eyes, hypotonia, short stature, flexible joints, small oral cavity and heart defects (Taylor, Richards, & Brady, 2005). Most individuals with DS have a moderate intellectual disability, although there is a range of disability, from severe to high functioning (IQ above 70). Since DS is a birth defect and not a disease, there are no treatment options.
Hill, C & Jones, G 2009, Strategic management theory: an integrated approach, Cengage Learning, New York, NY.
There is no known single cause of autism. Researchers are investigating a number of possible theories including genetics, heredity, medical problems, problems during pregnancy or delivery, as well as environmental influences. It is widely accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in the brain structure or function. There is evidence from neuropathological studies that autism has its origins in abnormal brain development early in prenatal life which continues postnatally, showing acceleration in brain growth measured by head circumference (Zwaigenbaum, L., Bryson, S., Rogers, T., Roberts, W., Brian, J., & Szatmari, P., 2005). The disorder also seems to have a genetic basis, although researchers have yet to find the specific genes that link to the onset of autism. There could be a cluster of genes that have somehow interfered with normal brain development and function. Studies show that twins of children with autism were more likely to be autistic themselves than the regular population, demonstrating there is a heredity lin...
Wheelen, T.L., & Hunger J.D. (2008) Strategic management and business policy. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall.
To understand and fully analyze if the roles of Rama and Krishna are in accordance with Dharma, one must understand Dharma first. In Khan’s book, The Concept of Dharma in Valmiki, he finds it hard to find a proper definition for the word, Dharma. Khan believes there is much more to Dharma than one specific definition that can encompass the whole meaning. Khan says, “Dharma is created for the well being of all the creation. All that is free from doing harm to any created being is certainly, Dharma for indeed Dharma is created to keep all creation free from harm”. So Khan is basically saying that Dharma is created so that all beings have a correct path to follow in their lives. He implies that anyone who follows the Dharmic way of life will not cause anyone harm, and hence lead a moral and rational way of life. Khan further expands on the purpose of Dharma by saying, “To order life in human society we are always confronted with certain problems, and we have to settle these within the framework of society otherwise life becomes impossible.” Khan views Dharma ...
...on your own personal views. In my opinion Rama embodies all of the traits that every person desires to have in one-way or another. Even when he makes mistakes, he learns from them and uses those lessons for future use, isn’t that another trait that everyone desires. The thing that makes Rama a perfect man is that he does not believe he is perfect.
There are different types of strategic planning that are currently in use, since this is a widely debated area of management. However, it is concluded that there are two main schools of thought, the prescriptive approach or the emergent approach (Lynch, 2012). As defined by Lynch, (2012) prescriptive strategic planning is the term given to a strategy whereby the objective of the strategy is defined in advance and the main elements are designed and develop...
“Definitions of ‘youth’ in Western societies usually refer to the life stage between childhood and adulthood, the transitional period between being dependant and becoming independent” (Kehily, 2007). The age of this transition can be best defined by the House of Commons as starting at 16 and ending at 24 years old (2013). This transition from youth to adulthood has altered considerably in recent years; the traditional norms and values that youth once followed are no longer respected or easily attained. Current youth have very different life styles and expectations, consequently; adolescents are taking longer to complete the transition into adulthood. Twenty-five years ago the traditional norms we...
Witcher, B., and Chau, S. V., 2010. Strategic Management: Principles and Practice. Cengage Learning EMEA.