Fight to conquer causes of autism comes up with new revelations

GHN News Editor - Autism and mental retardation researched by neuroscientists at Tufts University offer new revelations about the causes of these conditions.

A proten called APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) plays a significant part in both of these concerns.  APC has a key role in what is referred to as synapse maturation and prevents the function of the synapse that is required for learning and memory.

These findings can be found in the August 18 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

“Both sides of the synapse are finely tuned for efficient transmission; an imbalance on either side can negatively impact function, resulting in cognitive deficits. Our study reveals that APC forms a key protein complex in the postsynaptic neuron that also provides signals to direct synapse maturation in the presynaptic neuron, ensuring that the two sides of the synapse mature in concert to provide optimal function,” said senior author Michele H. Jacob, PhD, professor in the department of neuroscience at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Researchers blocked the APC function and then looked at the results to examine the mechanisms involved associated with autism in humans.

The actual research findings, expressed in scientific terms, can perhaps better be understood in the plain speech of those who deal with autism daily, the teachers, caregivers, parents and others in the community. They know what it is to see the lives of children impacted by a disorder that causes significant impairment to cognitive areas, language and relationships.

 At the same time families struggle to find answers, some of them are not just able to cope, but rise above the problems, as narrated in a recent story of an up and coming jazz musician.  Inspiring stories like those about Bryan Forsloff are part of fostering hope for autism, to allow folks to recognize what can be achieved in working with these children with love. And while love fosters advancement, science does as well in providing new information about what causes this condition and promote it understanding and prevention.