Autism Therapy: neuron

definition of neuron: Type of cell in the brain, spinal cord, and throughout the body that communicate information with biochemical and electrical signals.

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Minocycline Promotes Dendritic Spine Maturation and Improves Behavioural Performance in the Fragile X Mouse Model
Journal of Medical Genetics, by Bilousova, TV, Dansie L., Ngo M., Aye J., Charles JR, Ethell DW, and Ethell IM, published in 2009, summarized Jun 16, 2009

Treatment with the drug minocycline may help neuron growth in mice with a Fragile X-like condition, and may be helpful for people with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) some of whom also have autism.

Neurons in the brain need healthy dendrites in order to function normally. The mice in the study were genetically altered to lack certain genes, like people with FXS. These mice have autism spectrum behaviors, and their dendrites tend to be small and not fully developed. The minocycline drug therapy led to better-developed dendrites in neurons of the brains of these mice. The mice also showed less anxiety and more exploring after treatment.


Mirror Neuron System Based Therapy for Emotional Disorders
Medical Hypotheses, by Yuan, TF, and Hoff R., published in 2008, summarized Dec 10, 2008

Virtual reality and videos may be helpful in waking up the brains of people with autism.

Some people believe that problems with the motor neuron system that occur as a child is growing is one of the root sources of autism. This article reviews the mirror neuron system and describes how it can be used as a basis for therapy. Mirror neurons fire when a person observes action and when a person performs an action. Thus, computer displays may be able to be used to teach the brain how to perform an action. These displays could also maybe improve the way the brain functions.


Oxytocin Shapes the Neural Circuitry of Trust and Trust Adaptation in Humans
Neuron, by Baumgartner, T., Heinrichs M., Vonlanthen A., Fischbacher U., and Fehr E., published in 2008, summarized Oct 24, 2008

Intranasal oxytocin may some day be a useful therapy for autism.

This study was designed to see how the brain responded to breaking of trust when a person had been given a treatment of the hormone oxytocin. People who faced social risks and were given oxytocin were much more likely to trust again after their trust had been broken. Oxytocin had its biggest effect when it was given at the same time as the person was getting social feedback (broken trust). The authors suggest that oxytocin may decrease the fear of social betrayal. Oxytocin also seemed to decrease the symptoms of social anxiety and stress.


Play with Online Virtual Pets as a Method to Improve Mirror Neuron and Real World Functioning in Autistic Children
Medical Hypotheses, by Altschuler, EL, published in 2008, summarized May 26, 2008

Webkinz may be a good therapy tool for children with autism.

This paper describes how playing with virtual reality pets may help the brains of children with autism. Children with autism do not seem to have "mirror neurons" that work well. This has been measured by studying brain waves of people with autism as they watch others move and do things. The author suggests that playing with virtual pets may be good therapy because it helps children with autism see the needs of their virtual pets. He further suggests that studies should be done to see if virtual pet therapy can help children with autism function better in society.


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