News and updates from the Tetra/Pentasomy X  Support Group

Updated February 25, 2009.  Please email the webmaster with updates or additions for this page.

The Child Psychiatry Branch of the National Institute of Mental Health is conducting a study of the effects of sex chromosomes on brain development. This study hopes to determine whether brain-imaging studies of children with sex chromosome variations will help uncover core biological features of these chromosomal conditions.

Male and female volunteers aged 5-25 with a sex chromosome variation (XXY, XYY, XXYY, XXXY, XXXXY, XXX) are needed to participate in this study. 

We are currently focusing on boys and girls and young adults with XXYY, XXXY, XXXXY, XXXX, and XXXXX. (This includes Tetrasomy & Pentasomy). 

Participation involves coming to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland (just outside of Washington D.C.) for a one-day visit, which will include:

• a brief medical history interview
• a brief physical exam
• cognitive testing
• an optional blood draw for genotyping
• and a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan (the MRI scan provides detailed images of the brain without the use of radiation)

For participants who live outside of the Washington D.C. area, transportation and lodging for a 2-night stay will be provided for the child and two parents. In addition, each participant will receive a summary of test results and a souvenir photo of his brain.

For more information about the NIH Sex Chromosome Variations Study, contact: Jonathan Blumenthal, M.A., Project Coordinator Email: jonathan.blumenthal@nih.gov
NIMH Child Psychiatry Branch
Building 10, Room 4C110
Bethesda, MD 20892-1367
Phone: 301-435-4516

**If you would like additional information from families who have participated, contact Christy Hauk.  (link to realchopper@msn.com).