Oral Feeding of an Antioxidant Cocktail as a Therapeutic Strategy in a Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome: Merits and Limitations of Long-Term Treatment.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that typically arises from spontaneous germline mutations in the X-chromosomal methyl-CpG binding protein 2 () gene. For the first 6-18 months of life, the development of the mostly female patients appears normal. Subsequently, cognitive impairment, motor disturbances, hand stereotypies, epilepsy, and irregular breathing manifest, with previously learned skills being lost.

Setting the stage: developmental biology in pre-college classrooms.

Exercises that employ dynamic living material have proved highly successful at generating interest in science among young students. Developing embryos and larvae are especially well suited for such endeavors, for they can be handled without expensive or elaborate equipment, and their changing nature engages students. Using amphibian embryos, which are relatively large and exhibit profound, easily observed morphological changes, and amphibian larvae, which are easily kept and observed, captures the attention of children.