Nature-Nurture Gene Link Sheds New Light On Autism

Science Daily ^ | 7/20/2008

[Soliton]

Neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory found that a previously unsuspected set of genes links nature and nurture during a crucial period of brain development.

The results, reported in the July 8 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), could lead to treatments for autism and other disorders thought to be tied to brain changes that occur when the developing brain is very susceptible to inputs from the outside world. Nature--in the form of genes--and nurture--in the form of environmental influences--are fundamentally intertwined during this period.

"Our work points to how a disorder can be genetic and yet be dependent on the environment," said co-author Mriganka Sur, Sherman Fairchild Professor of Neuroscience at the Picower Institute and chair of MIT's brain and cognitive sciences department. "Many genes require activity to be expressed and make their assigned proteins. They alter their expression when activity is altered. Thus, we reveal an important mechanism of brain development that should open up a window into the mechanisms and treatment of brain disorders such as autism."

[grey_whiskers]

Solition, thanks!

never, snarks...like, *PING*, dudes.

Cheers!

[Sun]

It’s quite a coincidence, though, when some children only get autism right after their vaccines.

[neverdem]

Gene expression patterns in visual cortex during the critical period: Synaptic stabilization and reversal by visual deprivation

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

What was it that Savage was just saying about Autism? I know there was a flare up a couple days ago, no?

[Sun]

“What was it that Savage was just saying about Autism? I know there was a flare up a couple days ago, no?”

Sorry, I didn’t hear it.

But Rep. Dan Burton said awhile back that his grandson was very healthy, and he got autism symptoms RIGHT AFTER his vaccinations. In Japan they give vaccinations at an older age, and not so many at once, and have very little autism.

[DouglasKC]

My suspicion is that it's excessive tv watching at a very young age. A baby learns how to communicate by trying to interact with their environment. If the people they see most are on television and are non-responsive, then it would seem like they too would be mostly non-responsive to people.

I could be all wet, but I'm making sure my daughter and son-in-law don't let my grand babies be parked in front of the tv.