February 9, 2007

Rett Syndrome Reversed in Mice

Rett syndrome, a severe autism spectrum disorder that affects 1 in 10,000 girls, has been successfully reversed in mice. However, researchers are still a long way off from duplicating the results in humans.

“The thing that keeps your feet on the ground with this study is it shows the principle of reversibility, but doesn’t give you any clue about how to accomplish that,” cautioned lead researcher Dr. Adrian Bird, a geneticist at Scotland’s Edinburgh University.

Surprise hope for recovery from Rett syndrome

Posted on 3:13 PM | Comments (0)

February 9, 2007

1 in 150 Children in United States Has Autism

New research reveals the shocking statistic that 1 in 150 children in the United States has autism or a related disorder. Researchers still do not know what is causing so many cases.

... the sheer number of children apparently affected -- 560,000 nationwide if the new statistics are extrapolated to all 50 states -- makes autism an "urgent public health issue" and a "major public health concern," said Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, chief of the developmental disabilities branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which conducted the survey.

1 in 150 Children in U.S. Has Autism, New Survey Finds

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August 4, 2006

Autism in Girls Caused by Different Genes

Researchers at the University of Washington say the genes that causes autism in girls may be different than those that cause the disorder in boys. Autism is more common in boys and the new gene discovery may explain that discrepancy.

"And because autism is rarer in females, it may take more risk genes for a female to have autism. There also is the possibility that there might be a biological difference in autism for females versus males."

Different genes may cause autism in girls: study

Posted on 12:50 AM | Comments (0)