Research: Rare Diseases Offer Insights into Autism Spectrum Disorders

Authored by Letter in Harvard Mental Health Letter, Volume 25, Issue 10, p. 3, (2009).

Article summary (posted Sep 22, 2009):

Research on known genetic brain disorders may lead to better autism therapies in the future.

Researchers continue to learn about how to treat genetic brain disorders. Rett syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, and Fragile X syndrome are examples of genetic brain disorders. For these disorders, there is a gene in the DNA that researchers know is related to some brain problems. Scientists have been able to treat these disorders in animal studies. They have used gene therapy and drug therapy to correct problems of defective genes. They hope that some day the information might be helpful for treating many brain disorders including autism.

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autism, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), drug, Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), gene, genetic, lead, mental health, Rett Syndrome, therapy
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