New Hope For Understanding Autism

A crucial link between protein synthesis and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been discovered by researchers from McGill University and the University of Montreal. A new study in mice has shown that high synthesis of neuronal proteins called neuroligins can lead to symptoms similar to though in autism spectrum disorders. By inhibiting protein synthesis and also with gene-therapy targeting neuroligins it was also shown in mice that these autism behaviors can be reversed.

Autism spectrum disorders make up multiple neurodevelopment diseases that affect social interactions, communication and repetitive interests or behavior. Boys are five times more likely to suffer from ASD but on average 1 in 88 children suffer from some type of autism spectrum disorder. A professor from McGill stated that his lab was doing research on the role of dysregulated protein synthesis in cancer etiology but discovered that similar mechanisms may be shown in the development of ASD. This discovery was the first link to translational control of neuroligins with altered synaptic function. By using compounds previously developed for cancer treatment to reduce protein synthesis and the addition of non-replicating viruses to stop exaggerated synthesis of neuroligins, the ASD- like symptoms in mice were reversed. Researchers also found that dysregulated syntheses if neuroligins augments synaptic activity which results in an imbalance between excitation and inhibition in single brain cells, which may give more knowledge onto the secrets of autism.

Autism spectrum disorders occur very frequently in children and I personally know a few people suffering from the disease. This article hits close to home because I have watched my close friends sister grow up with the disease and my mom is also a teacher for students with autism. Kids with autism typically never stop fighting and it would be amazing to be able to find a way to reverse or prevent the symptoms of their disorder.