Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Mice Cured of Autism

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the of-mice-and-men dept.

noahisaac writes "My brother just sent me an article he posted for the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation about a cure for Rett Syndrome, a form of autism. According to the article, researchers successfully re-introduced a fully functional version of the MECP2 gene into mice that had been born with damaged MECP2 genes. Contrary to their expectations, the mice improved. In the article's words, 'restoration of fully functional MECP2 over a four week period eradicated tremors and normalized breathing, mobility and gait in mice that had previously been fully symptomatic and, in some cases, only days away from death.' The ramifications for people suffering from Rett Syndrome are obvious, but mutations of the MECP2 gene are also believed to be the cause of 'classic' autism, and a number of other neurological disorders."

19 of 233 comments (clear)

  1. it's not a game... by User+956 · · Score: 5, Funny

    The ramifications for people suffering from Rett Syndrome are obvious, but mutations of the MECP2 gene are also believed to be the cause of 'classic' autism, and a number of other neurological disorders."

    So they're saying this will cure people of World of Warcraft?

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
  2. Algernon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    please if you get a chanse put some flowrs on Algernons grave in the bak yard

  3. Slashdot is doomed by Harmonious+Botch · · Score: 4, Funny

    If there is a cure for autism - and it's close cousin, aspergers - then most of us on slashdot will get a life.

    1. Re:Slashdot is doomed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      And finally get laid! WOO-HOO!

    2. Re:Slashdot is doomed by QuickFox · · Score: 4, Funny

      Most people on Slashdot do not have Apserger's. Where's your proof? Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
      --
      Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.
    3. Re:Slashdot is doomed by jacobw · · Score: 3, Funny

      Most people on Slashdot do not have Apserger's.
      Where's your proof? Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
      If he were trying to prove that most people do not have Asperger's Syndrome, he might require extraordinary evidence. But trying to prove that we don't have Apserger's Syndrome is much easier. Admittedly, I've never heard of Apserger's before, but I have to assume it involves being a semicircular or polygonal termination or recess in a building, usually vaulted and used especially at the end of a choir in a church. I'm pretty sure if I were the vaulted polygonal termination of a church, I wouldn't be able to type well enough to use Slashdot.
      --
      Arr! Read The Government Manual for New Pirates!
  4. How much will the treatment cost? by andy314159pi · · Score: 5, Funny

    How much will the treatment cost Rainman?
    "About a hundred dollars."

  5. In other news by rowlingj · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other news, a nerdy engineer turns into a superb personnel manager after the genes are corrected. The only problem is the manager now has no way of understanding the code and schematics previously thought to be "fully documented".

  6. The implications are obvious by Y-Crate · · Score: 5, Funny

    Self-diagnosed Aspergers sufferers will suddenly find themselves without any excuse for their behavior.

    1. Re:The implications are obvious by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      There's always Down's Syndrome - you can walk up to any attractive women and tell her "I want a hug"...

  7. Mice cured... by Dunbal · · Score: 4, Funny

    Obligatory Douglas Adams:

          And far away in some distant dimension, some pan-dimensional hyperintelligent beings have suddenly become extremely anti-social, developed a limp, and are currently wondering if this search for the ultimate question is worth all the bother...

    --
    Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
  8. damn mice! by tomstdenis · · Score: 4, Funny

    They keep curing the mice!!! what about us humans? ... :-) [yes this is a joke].

    --
    Someday, I'll have a real sig.
  9. They're working on that by ChromeAeonium · · Score: 5, Funny

    Actually, a cure for WOW is in development. You can check it out how the cure is coming along here

    1. Re:They're working on that by StikyPad · · Score: 2, Funny

      Talk about a cure worse than the disease...

      Time to start investing in potty chairs.

      --
      https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
    2. Re:They're working on that by Korin43 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Screw that, I want World of Starcraft.

    3. Re:They're working on that by awol · · Score: 3, Funny

      Screw that I want to see a World of WordStar

      --
      "The first thing to do when you find yourself in a hole is stop digging."
  10. Yawn... by StikyPad · · Score: 3, Funny

    Wake me up when they've cured altruism.

    Oh wait...

    --
    https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
  11. Re:there is already a cure by PsiPsiStar · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm pretty sure the rise in diagnosis of autism correlates with a decline in the number of women smoking while pregnant and a rise in women having children later in life, so we should stop getting immunized AND start smoking more AND have more premarital sex.

    You had me at "have more premarital sex."

    Remember, it's for the children!!

    --

    ___
    It's the end of my comment as I know it and I feel fine.
  12. Cliff Robertson coming out of retirement... by Zhe+Mappel · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...to play the mouse in the film version.