A low-cost epilepsy medication has treated autism-like symptoms in mice for the first time, perhaps signaling a breakthrough.
Lamotrigine, marketed as Lamictal, proved effective in reducing behavioral and social issues associated with the disease, which is growing more frequent in the United States.
Epilepsy Medicine May Help Cure Autism
The medicine, which costs about $3 per pill, is supposed to operate by correcting alterations to brain cells induced by a genetic mutation. Previous research has found that persons with autism are more likely to have mutations that ‘turn off’ a gene called MYT1L.
Scientists are still unsure of the exact etiology of autism, but they believe it is a combination of hereditary and nongenetic factors. The severity of the illness also varies widely across the spectrum, implying that no single therapeutic strategy is likely.
MYT1L is a protein that protects the molecular identity of nerve cells by determining which genes are activated and which are not. Earlier studies suggested that variables altering the molecular program of nerve cells could play a role in autism development.
In the most recent study, scientists turned off MYT1L in mice and human nerve cells in the lab. The researchers discovered that mice lacking the protein showed brain abnormalities such as a thinner cerebral cortex.
The mice also showed indications of autism, such as social impairments and hyperactivity. Lamotrigine acts to treat epilepsy by blocking sodium channels in the body, inhibiting neurotransmitter release that would otherwise produce seizures. In the United States, about two million people will be prescribed the medicine by 2020.
Read more: More teenage girls experience sadness and suicide risk than boys, CDC reveals
Symptoms & Indicators Of Autism
The National Health Service describes the signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in school-aged children.
Language
- preferring not to use spoken language
- speech that appears monotone or flat
- Instead of stringing together individual words to build new sentences, speak in pre-learned phrases.
- talking “at” people rather than engaging in a two-way interaction
Response
- interpreting people’s words literally and failing to see humor, metaphors, or figures of speech
- unusually unpleasant reaction when requested to accomplish something by someone else
Socialization
- ignoring other people’s personal space or being extremely intolerant of someone invading their own personal space
- despite attempts to develop acquaintances, little interest in engaging with other individuals, particularly children of a similar age, or having few close friends
- not knowing how individuals generally behave socially, such as greeting or saying goodbye
- being unable to change the tone and content of their speech to varied social circumstances, such as speaking professionally at a party and then conversing to complete strangers in a comfortable manner
- not participating in situations and activities that other children their age do
- When conversing, gestures and facial expressions are rarely used.
- avoiding direct eye contact
Behavior
- fluttering their hands, swaying back and forth, or flicking their fingers are examples of repeated gestures.
- monotonous and uninspired play, frequently preferring to play with objects rather than people
- developing a keen interest in a given subject or activity
- preferring a familiar pattern and becoming agitated if their typical routine is disrupted
- having a strong liking or distaste for particular meals based on their texture or color as well as their flavor
- peculiar sensory preferences – for example, children with ASD may inappropriately sniff toys, objects, or people.