Autism Reversed in Mice at MIT Lab

ClayTapes writes "It seems that scientists at MIT have been able to reverse the effects of autism and some forms of mental retardation in mice caused by fragile X chromosomes. They do so by targeting an enzyme that changes the structure of connections between brain cells. The treatment actually repairs these structural abnormalities which suggests that it may be possible to reverse the effects in children who already show symptoms."

Amazingly

[Anonymous Coward]

The mice are still not talking... except for one.

Re:Amazingly

[Ub3rT3Rr0R1St]

Rain Mouse!

Nice article

[LiquidCoooled]

There is hope for us yet.

Did you know, there are 773 words on that article page.

Now all we need

[also-rr]

Is a drug that turns people into mice and 99% of diseases will be a solved problem.

great

[Lord Ender]

Just being small and furry makes it hard for mice to socialize at parties. I can't even imagine how hard it would be for an autistic mouse.

Re:great

[jollyreaper]

Just being small and furry makes it hard for mice to socialize at parties. I can't even imagine how hard it would be for an autistic mouse.

Well, it could be worse. They could be partying with Richard Gere.

Finally

[katterjohn]

We've been needing some of that down here in the South for a looong time...

Oh yeah it's just a pill

[Arthur B.]

but then in the morning you find yourself unable to count matches spilled on the floor, break the bank playing blackjack and eventually communicate with the objects around you. Beware, beware.

Re:Now all we need

[Tackhead]

> Is a drug that turns people into mice and 99% of diseases will be a solved problem.

"Stop giving away our plans, Pinky, or I shall have to hurt you."

A tragic end

[CrashPoint]

Sadly, the project was cut short when the mice intentionally reversed the treatments, having found themselves unable to relate to their newly-lovestruck trainers.

Re:Amazingly

[Anonymous Coward]

yeah, but that one became the US president 7 years ago. And it still does not make sense when talking.

Re:Further information

[GodfatherofSoul]

I'm not an authority on this, except that I once did a 6 minute presentation for one of my biology classes. On the Slashdot scale, that makes you a Doctor of Autistic Studies.

Re:Amazingly

[morgan_greywolf]

I'd respond to this, but it's time for Wopnar.

Its not about Bush .. its about porn.

[trolltalk.com]

"Prior to treatment they showed signs of hyperactivity, purposeless and repetitive movements."

Sounds more like someone surfing the net for pr0n, accompanied by the sound of one hand clapping ...

Re:great

[jollyreaper]

Just being small and furry makes it hard for mice to socialize at parties. I can't even imagine how hard it would be for an autistic mouse.

Well, it could be worse. They could be partying with Richard Gere.

Flamebait? Who modded me down, a jealous gerbil?

Re:Amazingly

[fohat]

Rain Mouse is two words...
definitely...
definitely two words...

Algernon

[chuckymonkey]

"P.S. please if you get a chanse put some flowrs on Algernons grave in the bak yard."

Obligatory...

[deblau]

I for one welcome our socially outgoing, well-adjusted, fuzzy minuscule overlords.

Feedback loop

[paleo2002]

But, People magazine and Tom Cruise told me that vaccines cause autism! How can a vaccine cure autism?

Re:Its not about Bush .. its about porn.

[cp.tar]

Isn't that, one hand fapping?

Re:Definitely

[dosquatch]

Unfortunatly, there's no much of a solution to that since we can't have people randomly ingesting chemical experiments just to see.

You've never been to a frat party, have you?

How to tell when a mouse is tripping

[SpaceLifeForm]

The pointer keeps going to a corner.

Relevant light bulb joke

[ajs318]

Q. How many Disabled People's Rights activists does it take to change a light bulb?

A. It's not the light bulb that needs changing, it's the rest of Society's attitude that needs changing!

Re:Definitely

[Anonymous Coward]

"Apparently either it's not all that apparent when a mouse is tripping or mice don't trip."

Maybe they trip just like humans:

"Whoa! That cheese is giggling! Ah! My cage is melting! OK, keep cool! Here comes the guy in the white coat. Don't act fried. Try to act normal. Don't act fried."