Missing gene linked to autism

The research team at the University of Leeds have found a missing gene mutation linked to autistic traits. There is already evidence of a deficient gene neurexin-II in people with autism. The Leeds team wanted to investigate if the gene was associated with the autism symptoms; they studied the mice with same defect. The mice showed behavioral features such as similar to autism, lack of sociability or interest in other mice.

The researchers at the University of Leeds can use this mice as an experimental model to explore new opportunities for making new or improving treatments.  As the affected mice were examined, there seemed to be that the affected mice had lower level of a protein called Munc18-1 in the brain. This protein helps to release neurotransmitter chemical across the synaptic connections in the brain.  So in some cases of autism and the affect mice, the neurotransmitter can be impaired. The researchers have established a link between autism symptoms and neuroligin-1, another gene associated with synapse signaling. The conclusion the research team came to is that not all autism will have neurexin-II and not all will have neuroligin defect. The researchers are creating all the important roles of the genes involved in the synapse communication in autism.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/286047.php