In a recent study regarding mirror movement disorder, researchers may have discovered the gene that is responsible.
Mirror movement disorder is a condition where any time the affected person moves a body part, the body part on their opposite side moves as well. This condition arises due to irregularities in structures such as the corpus callosum, an area of the brain that is responsible for sending signals across cranial hemispheres. This makes tasks requiring different motions of opposite limbs painful, extremely debilitating and, in many cases, almost impossible.
In order to determine what caused the condition, a family with autosomal dominant mirror movement disorder underwent genetic analysis. Researchers found a common mutation in the ARHGEF7 gene, which binds to Dcc. Dcc acts as a receptor for the guidance of axons across the middle of the brain, and if mis-regulated, provides an explanation for mirror movement disorder.
Additionally, analysis was done on mice containing the ARHGEF7 gene. Mice that were heterozygous for the mutation had mirror movements while walking, further cementing the idea that a mutation in the ARHGEF7 gene is one of the causes for mirror movement disorder.
Mirror movement disorder is very rare, which makes this research all the more important. By identifying the genetic component responsible for this condition, further research can be done towards medical advances that would help those afflicted.
Sources:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.add5501
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21633904/
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