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Fragile X Study May Hold Autism Clue

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Scientists have reversed symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome, the most common known cause of Autism. They did this with lab mice but can they do this with humans? They say the findings may eventually lead to the development of drugs for Fragile X’ers and Autistics.

“Our study suggests that inhibiting a certain enzyme in the brain could be an effective therapy for countering the debilitating symptoms of FXS (fragile X syndrome) in children, and possibly in autistic kids as well,” says researcher Mansuo Hayashi, PhD, in a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) news release.

What MIT did was target the PAK enzyme which affects the number, size and shape of connection between brain cells. They inhibited the enzyme and reduced hyperactivity, purposeless and repetitive movements. (Can they reduce “crashing”?)

Of course I am skeptical. Is this just one of the bandwagon theories like chelation? (Yes, even though we are vitamin chelating I still question.)

Don’t jump on just yet. Let them test monkeys first.


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