Autism is a condition that affects how a child grows and learns. It usually shows up early in life, and children with autism often find it hard to talk to others or understand social situations.
They might also behave in unique ways. Around 1 in 59 children has autism, and boys are four times more likely to be affected than girls.
For many years, scientists have been trying to figure out what causes autism. They believe it has something to do with the way the brain develops, and that genetics plays a big role. But the full picture is still unclear.
Now, researchers at Northwestern University may have found an important piece of the puzzle. They discovered that a specific genetic change could prevent a child’s brain from building enough connections during the early years of life. These connections are called synapses, and they help brain cells talk to each other.
Think of synapses like bridges between cities. If there aren’t enough bridges, the cities (or brain cells) can’t send messages properly. This can affect learning, memory, and how a child understands the world.
In earlier studies, scientists already knew that a gene called ANK3 was linked to different brain-related conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. This gene makes a protein called ankyrin-G, which helps brain cells grow the right way.
But how does ankyrin-G actually work? This new study shows that ankyrin-G helps form small parts of brain cells called dendritic spines. These tiny parts are needed to make synapses. Without them, brain cells can’t form the strong network they need to function well.
However, ankyrin-G can’t do this job alone. It needs help from another protein called Usp9X. Usp9X is an enzyme, a special kind of helper, that keeps ankyrin-G stable and working properly.
The research team found that when Usp9X doesn’t work as it should, ankyrin-G levels drop. This happens during a very important time shortly after birth, when the brain is building many of its connections.
To study this more, the scientists did experiments with baby mice. They found that mice with low levels of ankyrin-G had fewer synapses in their brains. These mice had trouble learning and showed unusual behavior as they grew up—similar to what is seen in some children with autism.
The lack of synapses meant the brain cells couldn’t talk to each other well. This may help explain why people with autism can have problems with learning and social skills.
The researchers believe that if a person has a mutation in the Usp9X gene, it could be one of the causes of autism. This genetic change might disturb the brain’s early development, leading to fewer connections between brain cells.
This study gives scientists a better understanding of how autism might start in the brain. The research was led by Peter Penzes and published in the journal Neuron.
One day, these findings could lead to new ways to detect autism early or even new treatments. That could help many children with autism and their families have better outcomes in the future.
If you care about autism, please read studies about food additives and ADHD, and natural fixes for ADHD.
For more health information, please see recent studies about nutrition’s role in managing ADHD, and this type of food may contribute to autism.
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