British May Be Onto Autism Cure

By Dave Hinz - Publisher
2/10/07


British researchers have announced a possible breakthrough in the treatment of Rett Syndrome, one of the severest forms of Autism. Autism is classified as a developmental disability that results from a disorder of the human central nervous system. It is diagnosed by impairments to social interaction, communication, interests, imagination and activities.

Researchers at Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities in Scotland announced on Friday that research on lab mice indicated that when a particular gene was “switched on” the mice appeared to have a full recovery.

"The results we came across were entirely unexpected. Until now it had been thought that Rett syndrome is irrevocable, but our findings show that the damage to nerve-cell function is, in fact, reversible,” said Adrian Bird, professor at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, in Edinburgh.

British scientists first announced in 1998 that they had identified a group of genes they thought responsible for Autism. The significance at that time was in identifying and locating the genes, ending the debate as to whether Autism was caused by genetics or by outside factors while young.

"We have found that autism is probably a complex genetic disorder. It is not one due to a single gene, as are cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy,” said Anthony Monaco of the Trust Centre at that time.

Since that 1998 report, the scientists have studied that group of genes, working with lab animals to identify and treat the various forms of Autism. Rett Syndrome is rare among the different types, in that it is triggered by a single gene. While the scientists are cautiously optimistic about this single breakthrough, they are hopeful that this success will lead to further breakthroughs in other forms of Autism.
"There's this perception the brain is so sensitive that once something goes wrong there's nothing you can do. Our data says reversibility is perfectly possible," Prof Bird said.
"Alzheimer's and Parkinson's involve neuronal cell death. In this case and in autism, the neurons don't die. If you give them back what they are missing, they resume normal service. If there's hope for Rett syndrome, maybe there's hope for these other things, too,” Bird added.

While the news has been hailed by parents of Autistic children as a ray of hope for the future, the scientists are quick to point out that any hope for a cure is most likely still years away. Still, parents claim, any breakthrough is greeted with optimism.
"My daughter was diagnosed 16 years ago and there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Suddenly, that could change. It's fantastic," said Fiona Padgett. Her daughter, Mandy, was diagnosed with Autism when she was two years old.
Autism, and the other four pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), are all considered to be Neuro-developmental disorders. The five disorders, expected to be confronted by this research are: Autism, Rett Syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder, and Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.