Scientists Reverse Mental Retardation In Mice-hope for autism also

[IChing]

Researchers at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT have, for the first time, reversed symptoms of mental retardation and autism in mice.

The mice were genetically manipulated to model Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the leading inherited cause of mental retardation and the most common genetic cause of autism. The condition, tied to a mutated X chromosome gene called fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene, causes mild learning disabilities to severe autism.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, FXS affects one in 4,000 males and one in 6,000 females of all races and ethnic groups. The prevalence of autism ranges from one in 500 to one in 166 children. There is no effective treatment for FXS and other types of autism.

"Our study suggests that inhibiting a certain enzyme in the brain could be an effective therapy for countering the debilitating symptoms of FXS in children, and possibly in autistic kids as well," said co-author Mansuo L. Hayashi, a former Picower Institute postdoctoral fellow currently at Merck Research Laboratories in Boston.>>>>snip

http://www.scientificblogging.com/news/scientists_reverse_mental_retardation_in_mice

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. That is just, wow.

[Lorien]

2. Now, if they can just improve the IQs of EVERY human being

the GOP would no longer exist!

[Mythsaje]

3. It's strange

that the same gene is linked to both mental retardation and autism, considering that autism itself is NOT mental retardation or even similar.

Huh. Who knew?

[soothsayer]

6. learning disabilities more than mental retardation, maybe?

[Mass]

8. I heard the scientist who led the research. In fact, the research was about

brain activity in about autistic kids where autism is caused by fragile X chromosome mutation. Great news for these kids, but nowhere as general as the title of the OP suggests.

[Xipe Totec]

4. Will this work on chimps?

I ask because of the urgent need...

[dkofos]

5. Would it work on bush??

[Hieronymus]

9. Let them experiment on him.

[dkofos]

15. He is expendable, just ask dick!!

[1monster]

7. Shades of FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON by Daniel Keyes, movie

version: CHARLEY starring Cliff Robertson. The movie is probably close to thirty-five years old. The book is written as a journal by Charley as he goes from retarded to genius...

The book is well worth reading. The movie is good, too, but dated as to styles and attitudes.

[pepperbear]

10. CHARLY was released in 1968. n/t

[dysfunctional press]

13. that was one of my first "non-children's" books...

i loved it, and it really got me into reading as a kid.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

14. When I saw the subject, this was my first thought. I read that book over 40 years ago. I called

that Robertson would win the Oscar as soon as I saw the film. Great story!

[dysfunctional press]

11. are retarded mice REALLY that big a problem...?

:shrug:

[Atman]

12. Wow...maybe there's hope for the freepers yet!

:rofl:

.