Autism is a condition that makes it hard for some people to communicate and interact with others.
It’s something that usually starts to show in young kids and is more common in boys. Imagine a classroom of about 60 children; odds are, one of those kids will have autism.
Scientists have been trying to figure out why some people have autism, and new research sheds light on how tiny parts inside our brain might play a big role. Let’s dig into it.
How Our Brain Works
Our brain is like a big control center made up of tiny parts called brain cells. These cells talk to each other so we can think, learn, and make sense of the world around us.
They connect through tiny bridges called synapses, much like friends shaking hands. When we’re little, our brain cells make a lot of these handshakes, helping the cells communicate better.
But what if something goes wrong? What if the brain cells can’t shake hands properly? That’s what scientists think might cause conditions like autism.
The Discovery: Special Genes and Proteins
A group of researchers from Northwestern University and other places wanted to understand how brain cells make these handshakes.
They were especially curious about one gene named ANK3. This gene makes a special protein called ankyrin-G.
In the past, we knew that changes in this gene had something to do with autism and other brain issues, but we weren’t sure how.
This new study found that ankyrin-G is like a manager at a handshake event. It helps brain cells reach out and connect with each other. But it needs help from another player—a bodyguard named Usp9X.
Usp9X is like a friend who watches over ankyrin-G, making sure it can do its job. When they work well together, it’s like a successful handshake party in the brain, helping brain cells talk to each other.
What Happens When the Bodyguard Takes a Break?
So, what happens if Usp9X, the bodyguard, isn’t doing its job? It turns out that without Usp9X, the manager, ankyrin-G, can’t do its work well.
When that happens, the brain might start to have problems right when a baby is born.
To see how this affects behavior, scientists looked at mice that had the same issue. These mice had brain cells that didn’t connect well, and they behaved differently.
Researchers think these mice give us clues about why some people have autism: their brain cells just aren’t connecting as they should, making it hard for them to communicate.
What Does This Mean for Us?
This study helps us get closer to understanding why some people have autism. If we know more about how brain cells are supposed to connect, we can start thinking about ways to help them do it better.
But this is just a start. More studies are needed to really get a handle on this complex issue.
This new knowledge was shared by Peter Penzes and his team, and it’s making scientists around the world excited about taking the next steps to understand autism even better.
If you care about autism, please read studies that cats may help decrease anxiety for kids with autism and new study may develop better treatment for autism
For more information about health, please see recent studies about how to eat your way to a healthy brain, and results showing this type of food may contribute to autism.
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