Autism-Like Behaviors Reversed in Mice: New Hope for Understanding Autism

Autism is defined as a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. “According to the U.S.-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 88 children suffer from autism spectrum disorder, and the disorder is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Autism spectrum disorder’s are almost five times more common among boys (1 in 54) than among girls (1 in 252).” According to Science Daily, Autism can be rectified in adult mice with compounds restraining protein synthesis, or with gene-therapy focusing on neuroligins.

The study took place at McGill University and the University of Montreal. In the study they used a mouse replica where a key gene controlling initiation of protein synthesis was erased. In the mice, the study showed that the production of neuroligins was increased. They also came to the conclusion that neuroligins are very important for the configuration and regulation of connections known as synapses between neuronal cells in the brain and essential for the maintenance of the balance in the transmission of information from neuron to neuron. The researchers have linked together protein synthesis and autism spectrum disorder. They used mice in the study, which showed that abnormally high synthesis of a group of neuronal proteins called neuroligins results in symptoms similar to those diagnosed in ASD. They also figured out that autism-like behaviors could be cured in mice with the proper compounds which inhibited protein synthesis. They could also be cured by gene-therapy focusing on the neuroligins.

The researchers final finding was that dysregulated synthesis of neuroligins augments synaptic activity, resulting in an imbalance between excitation and inhibition in single brain cells, opening up exciting new avenues for research that may unlock the secrets of autism. This study can be used to answer all of the unanswered questions that autism disorders have left for us. Also this article really interested me because it is amazing how these finding can make such a huge impact on the world.