THE BRAIN'S BRAKES: Scientists have fingered a gene that calms brain cells down when they get too excited.
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Scientists say they have pinpointed a gene in the brain that can calm nerve cells that become too jumpy, potentially paving the way for new therapies to treat autism and other neurological disorders.
"It's exciting because it opens the field up," says Michael Greenberg, a neurobiologist at Harvard Medical School. "Nobody has [found] a gene that controls the process in quite that way before."
The brain is continually trying to strike a balance between too much and too little nerve cell activity. Neurologists believe that when the balance tips, disorders such as autism and schizophrenia may occur. They are not sure why neurons (nerve cells) go berserk. But Greenberg says he and his colleagues located a gene in mice and rats that helps keep neural activity in check—and may one day be manipulated to prevent or reverse neurological problems.
Researchers report in Nature that they discovered a gene called Npas4 churns out a protein that keeps neurons from becoming overexcited when they fire (communicate with one another through connections known as synapses). When scientists blocked the protein, the nerve cells fired or sent out more signals than normal; when they beefed up production, the neurons quieted down.
Gina Turrigiano, a neuroscientist at Brandeis University who studies how brain cells communicate, says Greenberg's study reveals a "pretty intriguing potential pathway" for controlling neuronal activity. But she points out that Npas4 may not be the only gene that does that. Mice without Npas4 can survive, although they are prone to seizures and have a shorter life span than normal mice.
As scientists learn more about how brain cells stay balanced, Greenberg says they will be able to identify people who are genetically at risk for neurological disorders and develop new drugs to prevent and treat them. He notes that some of the other genes that Npas4 affects also have been linked to autism. But he cautions that new therapies from his research are "a long way off." "There's a lot that we don't know," he says. "We're just at the beginning."
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15 Comments
Add CommentNervously and cautiously optimistic here. Dampening the activity is just the begining indeed. There are times when hightened nueral activity is called for. The activity must be controled, not just dampened. While this is encouraging news it does nto indicate if this therapy would turn the mice into drones. As the father of an autistic child I caution these researchers not to rush this and ensure they are able to strike a balance, and I applaud them for thier efforts. The champeign isn't opened yet but it's on ice.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAnother father of an autistic child chiming in - It is great to see promising research in this area. I'm glad to see many scientists working on new theories and potential future treatments for root causes - even if they may only treat children in the next generation of families that must survive under the stresses of this condition. This one sound like it has promise - although many years away. Thanks Dr. Greenberg and your team at Harvard - keep up the good work!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this- Montvillian
As a mother of an autistic child, this is hopeful.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNeurologists believe that when the balance tips, disorders such as autism and schizophrenia may occur. They are not sure why neurons (nerve cells) go berserk.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf they are not sure why neurons go berserk then this use of genetics on the human brain is an experiment and a shot in the dark. We are just at the threshold of understanding the human genome. Now that we have unraveled it, there has been a rush to tie every condition to our genes alone. There are many more factors to consider when it comes to autism! The medical and scientific community are quick to lay the explosion of autism on the genetic backs of the parents. How do they explain the increase of one child in 10,000 less than a generation ago to one in 150 or less today? For genes to be the only answer the American population would have had to have had a huge incidence of spontaneous genetic mutation in that time. "As scientists learn more about how brain cells stay balanced, Greenberg says they will be able to identify people who are genetically at risk for neurological disorders and develop new drugs to prevent and treat them."
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOnce again what is the cause? What are the contributing factors, triggers that result in such a huge portion of the population exhibiting this condition? What has changed in the food supply? Air? Water in that time. Is there a combination of environmental insults that have resulted in this epidemic? While it is a great thing to understand the genetic components of disease, true science opens its eyes to the larger picture and has to consider all possible factors. Once again we would spend millions on treating a symptom and still not understand the cause. Why is that?
MrsMomAZ:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOne of the reasons why the stats have gone from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 150 is mostly due to a huge jump in awareness and earlier observation of symptoms.
As well as expanded definitions of what "autism" is.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHello, i am a 50 year old woman with autism . When i was little we didn"t have a word for this .I was told that i had EXITIBILITY, and i still do my nerves would get all over the place ,especily when i was happy! I have learning problems too, I really think it runs in families ,cause some of my children know what its like and we can relate to each other about it.When we are happy we let our nerves take over,or when we are scared also. I also do have a like a whole other world in my head , and it has never left me ever.Because every thing in my head is a happy life. This is the best way to describe all of this. Also my brother who has a 3 year old has autism. Thank you for letting me say this . LOVE ,BOBBI
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhether is shot at the dark or a beacon in the darkness, is better to have some knowledge than have nothing. I applaud this scientist whom are working fervently to come up with some type of solution to the problem. Yes it is true that there might be some risk involved in this new type of technology, but taking some considerable risk is always the tool use in order to understand fully any kind of successful outcome. So be positive and always hope for the best the only way to come up with some cure.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisGenetics
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCopy Number Variations
Epigenetics
Proteomics
The knowledge is growing. There are a lot of very smart people working on it. We need to continue to raise awareness, and increase funding for research on early diagnosis, behavioral and pharmacological treatments, and root causes. We may not get there as fast as we'd like, but we will get there.
spock babies having spock babies having spock babies ect ect ect ,,, as the father of autistic child says!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisspock babies having spock babies having spock babies ect ect ect ,,, as the father of autistic child says!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAt the beginning? You're at the naught.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHow do I cite this article? There are no page numbers. Thank you
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHello,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHow do I cite this article in APA format if there are no page numbers? Thank you.