Mice Cured of Autism

noahisaac writes "My brother just sent me an article he posted for the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation about a cure for Rett Syndrome, a form of autism. According to the article, researchers successfully re-introduced a fully functional version of the MECP2 gene into mice that had been born with damaged MECP2 genes. Contrary to their expectations, the mice improved. In the article's words, 'restoration of fully functional MECP2 over a four week period eradicated tremors and normalized breathing, mobility and gait in mice that had previously been fully symptomatic and, in some cases, only days away from death.' The ramifications for people suffering from Rett Syndrome are obvious, but mutations of the MECP2 gene are also believed to be the cause of 'classic' autism, and a number of other neurological disorders."

it's not a game...

[User 956]

The ramifications for people suffering from Rett Syndrome are obvious, but mutations of the MECP2 gene are also believed to be the cause of 'classic' autism, and a number of other neurological disorders."

So they're saying this will cure people of World of Warcraft?

Algernon

[Anonymous Coward]

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

Slashdot is doomed

[Harmonious Botch]

If there is a cure for autism - and it's close cousin, aspergers - then most of us on slashdot will get a life.

How much will the treatment cost?

[andy314159pi]

How much will the treatment cost Rainman?
"About a hundred dollars."

In other news

[rowlingj]

In other news, a nerdy engineer turns into a superb personnel manager after the genes are corrected. The only problem is the manager now has no way of understanding the code and schematics previously thought to be "fully documented".

The implications are obvious

[Y-Crate]

Self-diagnosed Aspergers sufferers will suddenly find themselves without any excuse for their behavior.

Re:Slashdot is doomed

[Anonymous Coward]

And finally get laid! WOO-HOO!

Mice cured...

[Dunbal]

Obligatory Douglas Adams:

      And far away in some distant dimension, some pan-dimensional hyperintelligent beings have suddenly become extremely anti-social, developed a limp, and are currently wondering if this search for the ultimate question is worth all the bother...

damn mice!

[tomstdenis]

They keep curing the mice!!! what about us humans? ... :-) [yes this is a joke].

They're working on that

[ChromeAeonium]

Actually, a cure for WOW is in development. You can check it out how the cure is coming along here [diablo3.com]

Re:Slashdot is doomed

[QuickFox]

Most people on Slashdot do not have Apserger's.

Where's your proof? Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Yawn...

[StikyPad]

Wake me up when they've cured altruism.

Oh wait...

Re:They're working on that

[StikyPad]

Talk about a cure worse than the disease...

Time to start investing in potty chairs.

Re:The implications are obvious

[Anonymous Coward]

There's always Down's Syndrome - you can walk up to any attractive women and tell her "I want a hug"...

Re:They're working on that

[Korin43]

Screw that, I want World of Starcraft.

Re:there is already a cure

[PsiPsiStar]

I'm pretty sure the rise in diagnosis of autism correlates with a decline in the number of women smoking while pregnant and a rise in women having children later in life, so we should stop getting immunized AND start smoking more AND have more premarital sex.

You had me at "have more premarital sex."

Remember, it's for the children!!

Re:They're working on that

[awol]

Screw that I want to see a World of WordStar

Re:Slashdot is doomed

[jacobw]

Most people on Slashdot do not have Apserger's.

Where's your proof? Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

If he were trying to prove that most people do not have Asperger's Syndrome, he might require extraordinary evidence. But trying to prove that we don't have Apserger's Syndrome is much easier. Admittedly, I've never heard of Apserger's before, but I have to assume it involves being a semicircular or polygonal termination or recess in a building, usually vaulted and used especially at the end of a choir in a church. I'm pretty sure if I were the vaulted polygonal termination of a church, I wouldn't be able to type well enough to use Slashdot.

Cliff Robertson coming out of retirement...

[Zhe Mappel]

...to play the mouse in the film version.