PMID: 16506122Mar 1, 2006Paper

Genetic mental retardation. Presentation of the GIRMOGEN network

Revista de neurologia
M I Tejada

Abstract

Mental retardation is the most frequent disability and is already quite apparent in infancy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that it affects approximately 3% of the population in industrialised countries. Among the aetiologies that cause mental retardation it would appear that 30% have a genetic origin, although in recent years the progress made in molecular genetics in relation to new mutations and new genes that can account for mental retardation advances at an incredible pace. It is for this reason that, three years ago, a group of clinicians and researchers, most of whom were working in Spain on fragile X syndrome (the most prevalent of the hereditary causes of mental retardation), decided to set up the GIRMOGEN (Genetic Mental Retardation Research Group). Most of us had noticed how many of the clinical cases that we dealt with went undiagnosed and that the exact prevalence of this disability in Spain was not known either. GIRMOGEN was funded by the Carlos III Health Institute and is made up of eight groups; a ninth group is responsible for coordinating the work. Its members are all involved in clinical studies or research into mental retardation with a genetic origin, and belong to 15 hospitals and to five un...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.