NYT Article: Possible Link Between Autism and Overactive mTOR/Excessive Brain Synapses

[McCamy Taylor]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/22/health/brains-of-autistic-children-have-too-many-synapses-study-suggests.html?hpw&rref=science&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=HpHedThumbWell&module=well-region®ion=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well

Sorry for the overly long thread title. Tried to sum it up. Basically, researchers have discovered that autistic children have a higher density of brain synapses than non-autistic children. They speculate that autistic children may be overwhelmed with stimulus and that their brains may not be effective at pruning out unnecessary connections. Scientists also discovered that by giving the drug rapamycin (from a bacteria) to mice that have hyperactive mTOR and too many synapses and abnormal social behaviors similar to autism they were able to improve the abnormal behaviors and decrease the synapses.

Suggesting...

That autism might be related to a dysfunction of mTOR that might be reversible.

[Sienna86]

1. Although the drug has serious side effects, perhaps another can be found

It's a piece of the puzzle.

[McCamy Taylor]

2. Agree. Would not use the drug. But it may suggest a mechanism and alternative treatment.