A New Way to Treat Autism

A new study by Professor Edward Brodkin of the University of Pennsylvania suggests that the drug d-cycloserine, an antibiotic commonly used to treat tuberculosis, can help improve social skills and functions in children with autism. The study showed an increase in activity in the PCDH10 gene, which is an autism related gene, as well as showed in increase in social behavior in mice.

The amygdala, the area of the brain that is associated with social and behavioral defects in people with autism, is where the PCDH10 gene is expressed. It is not yet known how PCDH10 affects social behavior, however.

This article interested me because my brother is on the autism spectrum. I always knew I wanted to go into medicine, but after receiving his diagnosis I was inspired to pursue neurology.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315514.php
http://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=PCDH10