Single dose of rapamycin reverses autism-like brain changes in adult mice within hours
Drug reverses autism-like brain changes in adult mice within hours
A UCLA-led study in mice shows that a single dose of the immunosuppressant rapamycin rapidly—within about two hours—reverses autism-like brain and behavior changes in adult offspring of mothers exposed to mild inflammation during pregnancy. The treatment calmed overactive neurons, reduced seizure susceptibility, reorganized brain network connectivity, and eased repetitive behaviors and sensory over-responsivity. However, effects were temporary and repeated dosing led to tolerance, making rapamycin itself unsuitable for human use. The findings suggest the adult brain retains adaptability and point to functional circuitry, not just structure, as a therapeutic target.
It suggests the adult brain may be more adaptable than we assumed, even when the underlying structural changes from early development are still there.
- Scandiravian
Being autistic myself, I feel conflicted about trying to "cure autism"
Every day is challenging because I have to manage my energy, mask in social situations and at work, etc
On the other hand, I like who I am and I'm also very good at what I do because my brain is structured the way it is. I can imagine a society that is structured in a way, where I don't need the accommodations I'm currently dependent on
If the negative impacts I'm experiencing are a consequence of the how we've structured our society, then I don't think it's autistic people who need to change to fit in
Of course there are much more severe cases than me where autistic people need much more support and have severe learning disabilities, where it could be a huge improvement to quality of life
If it was possible to fully trust that a hypothetical "cure" would only be used in these severe cases, I might be excited about a potential breakthrough, but historically this unfortunately haven't been the case
- stonyrubbish
I have ASD Level 1, and I definitely don't want to be "cured." I feel like autism has basically given me significantly stronger reasoning, pattern recognition, and systemizing abilities in exchange for being socially a bit weird and awkward and eccentric. I recognize that this is the perspective of someone who is high-functioning but I strongly enjoy having autism.
- galleywest200
> The effects of rapamycin are temporary, and repeated dosing loses efficacy, making rapamycin, itself, an unlikely candidate as a broadly-used treatment.
- fuckinpuppers
I’ve always just viewed autism and the spectrum as the next step in our evolution. It’s not neurotypical vs spectrum anymore. I just think less and less people are neuro “typical”
- inigyou
Rapamycin - how strange. The Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) gene/protein regulates cell growth in some not well understood way.
Maternal inflammation also aligns with autistic people being extra sensitive to negative feedback. Maybe if you are born in a world of disease you are supposed to be extra cautious of everything.