Scientists reports reversal of autism in mice: Moving closer to a permanent cure for autism
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September 19, 2012 • 
A possible cure for autism may be quicker than expected thanks to the recent developments in medical research.Peter Scheiffele and Kaspar Vogt, Professors at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, has identified a specific dysfunction in neuronal circuits that is caused by autism.The scientists also report about their success in reversing these neuronal changes in their study published in the journal Science. This study is an important step towards drug development for the treatment for autism.
Autism is a developmental disorder that affects brain development. It is usually evident in early childhood and currently around 1 in 100 children are thought to be affected.Exact cause for autism is not known and it is thought to be a hereditary disorder of the brain. Individuals with autism may exhibit impaired social behaviour, rigid patterns of behaviour and limited speech development.
A central risk factor for the development of autism are numerous mutations in over 300 genes including the gene neuroligin-3, which is involved in the formation of synapses, the contact junction between nerve cells. The scientists in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Roche, switched off a gene (NLGN3 ) responsible for the production of a protein Neuroligin-3. This protein is involved in the formation of synapses, the contact junction between nerve cells.
The study has found that Loss of neuroligin-3 interferes with neuronal signal transmission.
They have found that mice lacking the gene for neuroligin-3 (NLGN3 ) develop behavioural patterns reflecting important aspects observed in autism and such mice also produce too much of a specific neuronal glutamate receptor. An excess of these receptors inhibits the adaptation of the synaptic signal transmission during the learning process, thus disrupting the development and function of the brain in the long-term.
The good news is – the impaired development of the neuronal circuit in the brain is reversible. When scientists switched on the gene (NLGN3) responsible for the production of the protein,neuroligin-3, production of the glutamate receptors came down to normal levels and the structural defects in the brain typical for autism disappeared.
Scientists believe that these glutamate receptors could be a suitable pharmacological target either to prevent, or reverse, autism. This study is indeed a first step in finding a cure for autism.
Research Team
Prof. Dr. Peter Scheiffele
Biozentrum
University of Basel
Klingelbergstrasse 50 / 70
CH – 4056 Basel
Biozentrum 276APhone: +41 61 267 21 94
Email: peter.scheiffele@unibas.ch
Prof. Dr. Kaspar Vogt
Biozentrum
University of Basel
Klingelbergstrasse 50 / 70
CH – 4056 Basel
Pharmazentrum 6001Phone: +41 61 267 16 26
Email: kaspar.vogt@unibas.ch
Source: University of Basel Press Release
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