Drug Reverses Mental Retardation Caused By Genetic Disorder

Drug Reverses Mental Retardation Caused By Genetic Disorder

www.sciencedaily.com

ScienceDaily (June 23, 2008) — UCLA researchers discovered that an FDA-approved drug reverses the brain dysfunction inflicted by a genetic disease called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Because half of TSC patients also suffer from autism, the findings offer new hope for addressing learning disorders due to autism. Nature Medicine publishes the findings in its online June 22 edition.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Now isn't that interesting?

This will be something worth following.

www.sciencedaily.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

good news if the results are permanent.

"After only three days of treatment, the TSC mice learned as quickly as the healthy mice," said Ehninger. "The rapamycin corrected the biochemistry, reversed the learning deficits and restored normal hippocampal function, allowing the mice's brains to store memories properly."

strangely, a single period of treatment seems to cure the affliction, which sounds much more like a deficiency disease, doesn't it? how could a genetic aberration be remedied without continuous application?

Originally posted by Long Lance
good news if the results are permanent.

"After only three days of treatment, the TSC mice learned as quickly as the healthy mice," said Ehninger. "The rapamycin corrected the biochemistry, reversed the learning deficits and restored normal hippocampal function, allowing the mice's brains to store memories properly."

strangely, a single period of treatment seems to cure the affliction, which sounds much more like a deficiency disease, doesn't it? how could a genetic aberration be remedied without continuous application?

I agree. But perhaps there is a genetic component to it. Say the hippocampus needs mineral/compound X, but because of a genetic flaw, it can't get it. This mineral/compound is reused again and again in the hippocampus, but is never used up (a catalyst). This drug allows the introduction of enough mineral/compound X to function normally, and that is all it ever needs.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

It will be interesting to see whether this actually cures autism. It would be a major step forward if it could.

What I am curious about is whether it would just cure young children of autism or would it cure older people who have grown up with it.

Wow, that's impressive.

I wonder what it would be like to be a retarded person, and after a few days on the drug, suddenly find oneself with average (or better) intelligence?

Shades of Flowers For Algernon

(Great book, if you've never read it I recommend it!)

reply to post by xmotex


I remember having to read that in high school. I doubt that its required reading anymore... it was controversal even then.

Interesting to see big pharma to come out with something that actually can do good and actually can pretty much cure a condition rather than just treat it.

Well I guess is not much money on treating mental retardation or autism (I guess) so hey lets find a cure.

reply to post by sir_chancealot


no catalyst/enzyme lasts forever, so the treatment might have to be repeated after a few years (beyond the scope of the study) or it's some kind of 'reset' which sets in motion natural processes, i'm just weary of everything (including favorite car brand :xd) being explained through genetics.

Originally posted by Long Lance
reply to post by sir_chancealot

 

no catalyst/enzyme lasts forever, ...

Enzyme, no. Catalyst, yes. BY IT'S VERY DEFINITION IT IS UNCHANGED FROM THE CHEMICAL REACTION IT HELPS ALONG. *shakes head and wonders if it is too early to start drinking yet*

there may be hope for me yet...

Grover thanks for posting this, this is so exciting. My husband has a retarded daughter. I don't think she has tubular sclerosis, but if they can cure that condition, it makes it more likely that they will one day, not too far in the future, they will be able to correct her retardation. She's 13 y.o. and my husband has had a very difficult time bonding with her, due to the retardation and some other factors.

We have always hoped that something like this would be discovered to make her of normal intelligence. This gives us hope for her, and it would be wonderful if she and my husband could be closer.

Thanks, Grover, for posting this. We are very excited about this discovery, this morning.

reply to post by sir_chancealot


enzymes act as catalysts.

they aren't consumed, sure, but wear and tear applies to everything, doesn't it?