The National Institute of Mental Health has awarded David Hessl, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences with the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, a career development grant for research on fragile X syndrome. Designed to develop knowledge and skills in patient-oriented research on neurodevelopmental disorders, the grant will
help fund Hessl's research on the molecular genetics and psychophysiology of social anxiety in children with fragile X syndrome.

Fragile X is a genetic mutation on the X chromosome that can cause a variety of developmental, physical and behavioral impairments. It is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation and one of the leading known causes of autism. Hessl's goal is to discover whether the over-responsiveness of the amygdala to social stimuli leads to the anxiety and avoidance that are hallmark behaviors of fragile X patients. He also will investigate whether the increased anxiety contributes to autistic behaviors, such as deficits in reciprocal social behavior, in children with
the syndrome.

"I'm thrilled to be able to contribute to new knowledge about fragile X," Hessl said. "Knowing more about the physiological mechanisms that trigger emotional and behavioral disturbances will help us develop new treatments that improve the daily lives of individuals with this syndrome, and it may also help us better understand autism and other neurodevelopmental
disorders."

Hessl's clinical interests involve the cognitive, emotional and behavioral evaluations of children, adolescents and adults with fragile X syndrome,
autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities. He also has expertise in childhood developmental
psychopathology, particularly mood and anxiety disorders. His NIMH grant totals $771,837 from September 2005 through July 2010.

"The M.I.N.D. Institute has made significant contributions to the understanding of brain and behavior disorders," said Randi Hagerman,
medical director of the institute and an internationally recognized expert on fragile X who will serve as Hessl's primary mentor for the grant. "The institute values its leadership role in ensuring the continuation of its excellent work by encouraging the best and the brightest in the next generation of researchers and clinicians. Dr. Hessl's work definitely shows
great promise. And his NIMH project in particular will contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying emotional and behavioral
disturbances in children with neurodevelopmental disorders."

For more information about the M.I.N.D. Institute, please visit www.mindinstitute.org. Details about the NIMH career-development grants are available at www.nimh.nih.gov/researchfunding/training.cfm.

The UC Davis M.I.N.D. (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute is a collaborative center for research into the
causes, preventions and treatments of neurodevelopmental disorders. The Fragile X Research and Treatment Center, funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD), is based at the institute.