Autism is a developmental condition that affects how children communicate and interact with others.
About 1 in 59 children are diagnosed with autism, and boys are four times more likely to have it than girls. Children with autism often struggle with communication, and this can lead to different behaviors compared to other children.
Although we still don’t know exactly what causes autism, scientists have been trying to understand the biological reasons behind it. A new study by researchers at Northwestern University has found an important genetic clue.
The study discovered that a specific change in genes can stop the brain from making enough synapses during key stages of growth. Synapses are tiny connections that allow brain cells to talk to each other. If there are too few synapses, the brain can’t communicate properly, which can make learning harder and lead to conditions like autism.
In earlier research, scientists found that a gene called ANK3 was linked to several brain-related disorders like autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. This gene makes a protein called ankyrin-G. But until now, researchers didn’t fully understand how changes in this gene might affect the brain.
The new study found that ankyrin-G helps brain cells grow and form networks. It supports the growth of dendritic spines, which are tiny branches at the ends of brain cells. These spines are important because they help form synapses, which are needed for brain cells to connect and communicate.
Ankyrin-G needs help from another protein called Usp9X to work properly. Usp9X is an enzyme that keeps ankyrin-G stable and working the right way. When both proteins work well together, the brain builds lots of synapses during early development.
But when Usp9X doesn’t work as it should, ankyrin-G levels drop. This usually happens shortly after birth, during a very important time for brain development. In experiments with mice, scientists found that low levels of ankyrin-G led to fewer synapses in the brain.
The mice had problems with learning, behavior, and brain function that continued into adulthood.
The study also showed that fewer synapses mean brain cells can’t communicate as well. This may help explain why children with autism have trouble learning and interacting with others.
The researchers believe that mutations in the Usp9X gene might be one of the reasons why autism develops. These genetic changes interrupt the brain’s normal development, leading to fewer synapses and reduced brain function.
This study helps us better understand the biological causes of autism. It shows how specific genes affect brain growth and offers new ideas for diagnosing and treating autism early. The research was led by Peter Penzes and published in the journal Neuron.
If you care about autism, please read studies about food additives and ADHD, and natural fixes for ADHD.
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