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The most common form of inherited mental retardation, due to the abnormality
of the X chromosome. The connection between the tip of the long arm of the
abnormal chromosome and the rest of the chromosome is very slender and is easily
broken, hence the term fragile X. Clinical manifestations include moderate
to severe mental retardation and a large head, long face, prominent ears, and in
affected males, large testicles. Some subjects with the abnormal gene are
of normal intelligence but show one or more forms of learning disability.
Many also have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Source: Edgerton, Jane E. 1994. American Psychiatric Glossary, 7th Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press
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