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Neuroscientists reverse autism symptoms

Turning on a gene later in life can restore typical behavior in mice.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office
February 17, 2016

Autism has diverse genetic causes, most of which are still unknown. About 1 percent of people with autism are missing a gene called Shank3, which is critical for brain development. Without this gene, individuals develop typical autism symptoms including repetitive behavior and avoidance of social interactions.

researchIn a study of mice, MIT researchers have now shown that they can reverse some of those behavioral symptoms by turning the gene back on later in life, allowing the brain to properly rewire itself.

This suggests that even in the adult brain we have profound plasticity to some degree, says Guoping Feng, an MIT professor of brain and cognitive sciences. There is more and more evidence showing that some of the defects are indeed reversible, giving hope that we can develop treatment for autistic patients in the future.

Feng, who is the James W. and Patricia Poitras Professor of Neuroscience and a member of MITs McGovern Institute for Brain Research and the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute, is the senior author of the study, which appears in the Feb. 17 issue of Nature. The papers lead authors are former MIT graduate student Yuan Mei and former Broad Institute visiting graduate student Patricia Monteiro, now at the University of Coimbra in Portugal.

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Gift Giving Tips and Gift Suggestions

Posted: December 2, 2024

Pre-Holiday Suggestions Inform family members, in advance, about how they can minimize anxiety or behavioral incidents. Enlist other children to be inclusive in pre-planned activities with your grandchild. Prepare your […]

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Helpful Holiday Suggestions

Posted: November 28, 2024

Think Ahead and Establish New Traditions Plan how you can meet your family’s needs and set realistic expectations. Forgive yourself if the holiday is not “perfect,” and traditional. Modify celebrations […]

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Holiday Tips

Posted: November 27, 2024

The holiday season is a joyful time of the year, but it also can be stressful for kids with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Here are a […]

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Our Mission: To promote awareness and understanding of autism and to enhance the resources essential to community responsiveness.

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