Posted on 12/25/2024 4:59:40 PM PST by ConservativeMind
A discovery has highlighted lithium—a drug long used to treat bipolar disorder and depression—as a potential therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This research reveals that lithium can restore brain function and alleviate behavioral symptoms in animal models of ASD caused by mutations in the Dyrk1a gene.
ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 2.8% of the global population, characterized by social deficits, repetitive behaviors, intellectual challenges, and anxiety. There are no definitive treatments or preventive measures.
Among the many genetic risk factors for ASD, Dyrk1a mutations stand out as significant.
One of the underlying mechanisms of ASD symptoms by Dyrk1a mutation is impaired phosphorylation levels of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). To find the specific substrate of Dyrk1a, the researchers needed to generate mice lacking Dyrk1a expression.
The authors found that the phosphorylation levels of various elements of the mTOR pathway, and mTOR itself were altered by Dyrk1a expression levels.
Accordingly, they have chosen lithium to address this deficit, and as a tentative cure drug in Dyrk1a mutant mice. When lithium was administered to the mutant mice during their juvenile period, the results were remarkable. Lithium normalized brain size, restored the structure and function of excitatory neurons, and significantly improved behaviors related to anxiety and social interaction. Even more promising, the effects of this short-term treatment lasted into adulthood, suggesting that lithium may have long-term benefits by enabling structural and functional recovery in the brain.
Director Kim Eunjoon emphasized the potential impact of these findings, stating, "Our research shows that lithium, a widely used drug for bipolar disorder, could also serve as a treatment for ASD. The fact that its effects persist long after treatment ends underscores the importance of early intervention during critical developmental windows."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Those mice are going to be so happy! (these things never move beyond mice)
How do you test mice for autism?
...the real question is, why is there such an explosion of autism in recent years?
“...the real question is, why is there such an explosion of autism in recent years?”
You know, it has been determined to be a profitable treatment protocol so the increased autism was formulated.
More tortured mice for one more insignificant data point.
So, let little Johnny teeth on a battery.
What about his thyroid and kidneys? Or do mice not live long enough to test those.
I guess you test the mice to see at what age they start talking and then monitor if they have the strength of 4-5 mice
the explosion of Autism is at least partly due to them lumping Aspergers in with Autism They were separate at one time.
Good for the brain and the battery? Who would have guessed?
There is an odd twist to the history of medicinal lithium.
In WWII, there was a military hospital in Australia that had a lot of combat fatigue and psychiatric patients. But for whatever reason, instead of ordinary table salt for their meals, they used a cheap and plentiful salt substitute, lithium salt.
A smart doctor noticed that some patients really liked lithium salts, and for a time their mental condition markedly improved after consuming it.
I think it's been an explosion starting at least 30 years ago. I say 30 because I have 5 friends from my senior softball community who have sons around the age of 30 with degrees of autism ranging from non- verbal to functioning.
Growing in in northern Michigan in the 50's and 60's, there was no one with any symptoms of autism. One friend had suffered from polio, but that's it.
One other thought, the proliferation of this diagnosis and the diagnosis of many other disorders needs serious critical thought, at times skeptical thought. Primary care providers and many specialists need to seriously engage our brains. Tender-hearted feelings for a patient or family's complaints need to be re-acquainted and engaged with tough-minded thinking. I could say more, such as actually obtaining, reading, and contemplating the medical, educational and occupation records (but then my skepticism would be showing.)
Fascinating.
Please keep up the postings, they are much appreciated.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.