Autism is a complex neurological disorder that involves abnormalities at the level of the central nervous system. Although the specific causes of autism in remain unknown, it seems that acquired or inherited genetic dysfunctions have a very important role in the occurrence of the syndrome in people. Recent experiments conducted on mice have proved that there is a clear connection between genetic factors and abnormal behaviors characteristic to ASD (autism spectrum disorders). By deleting the PTEN gene in some areas of the brain of mice, scientists have been able to trigger symptoms that are very similar to those generated by autism in humans.
Although the experiment can't explain the exact phenomenon that leads to the development of autism in people, the results suggest that autistic people present abnormalities in a region of the brain called hippocampus. When researchers deleted the PTEN gene in the hippocampus of mice, the results were remarkable. The mice with the PTEN gene deleted quickly began to follow the behavioral patterns generated by autism in humans. The abnormal mice showed clear signs of impairment at the levels of social interactions, rapidly losing their interest in other mice. The mice with the PTEN gene deleted suffered a pronounced decrease of their sensorial perceptions and quickly showed signs of poor adaptation to unknown environments and new situations.
From a physiological point of view, the abnormal mice had very thick nerve cells and presented dysfunctions of myelin, the substance that surrounds the body's neurons, enabling the transmission of nervous impulses. These anatomical abnormalities characteristic to the mice with the PTEN gene deleted are a huge step forward in understanding the occurrence of autism in humans. Nevertheless, now that medical scientists have been able to simulate the symptoms of autism in mice, new medical treatments can be tested in an attempt to reverse the neurological damage caused by the disorder.
The medical scientists who conducted the experiment were able to reveal many similarities between the behaviors of mice with the PTEN gene deleted and the behaviors of people with autism. The abnormal mice involved in the experiment showed a lot more interest in various objects rather than in other mice. They also became passive, and withdrawn, avoiding any form of interaction with other mice. They began to show signs of poor adaptability, failing to integrate into new environments. Also, the mice with the deleted gene became stressed when confronted with new situations, unlike normal mice, which didn't experience difficulties in adapting to unknown scenarios. The major difference, however, was that unlike autistic people, the abnormal mice didn't show any signs of repetitive behaviors or insistence on sameness.
The overall results of the experiment reveal a strong connection between the PTEN gene and abnormal behavioral patterns. However, medical scientists aren't yet able to tell if dysfunctions of this particular gene are also responsible for causing autism in humans.
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Autism schools in NJ?
By: jswift71 | 05-05-2008
What are some good autism schools in the South Jersey area? Like Camden or Burlington county?
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By: Kora | 02-04-2008
How does the increase in diagnosed autism cases in the United States compare with autism cases in other countries?
Educational Consulting
By: smiilee | 01-04-2008
I am interested in starting a consulting company-working with children diagnosed with autism. I need to know the steps and certifications that i need to have to make this possible.
Zyprexa & Autism
By: allamo2003 | 18-03-2008
dear mis/sir my son is 13 years old & hypothyroidism, i found your site in a google search engine. my son had autism when he was 4 years old after we did all kinds of analysis on one of the known hospitals in saudi arabia,they told me its more electricitie in the brain and this is called autism. they describe this medicene Retalin that had been given to him for 2 weeks but he was having a bad side effects and the doctor stop it & give him Resperdal as aliquid 1 gm for one year and they change the amount to bills 2gm until before two days the doctors specify a new kind of medicene which is Zyprexa and we are wondering if there is a better medicene for autism with congenctal hypothyroidism and he is using: 1- Zyprexa 10 mg in two doses 5mg in morning & 5 mg before he sleeps 2- 150 mg of Thyroxine every day thank you
Autism, treatment, india, japan, explanation, views
By: mdchaskar | 23-12-2007
I would like to like to know Autistic patient,s percentage worldwide and in India and japan in particular. What is the treatment given to kids to improve their behaviour. Other related explanations are welcome.
Autism concern
By: concernedmom | 14-11-2007
my son who is 7 now was diagnosed with adhd and odd...i just feel its more then that something just isnt right ive been doing some research on autism,he has violent outburst cursing freguently well just haul off and hit anyone around him...throws things frequent temper tantrums has hard time making friends ...will make a friend and 10 minutes later wanna punch the kid for no reason... but is an angel at school..disrupts the entire house everday if one thing is off with him we all suffer cries alot refuses to go to school every so often...im just comcerned its just not adhd
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