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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."

5 of 233 comments (clear)

  1. News from Florida by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Proof you can kill cockroaches and pond scum! Hooray! Anna Nicole Smith is dead. The average IQ of the planet just ticked up by 5 points. Good riddance to poor white trash.

  2. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Sad news ... Anna Nicole Smith, dead at 39

    I just heard some sad news on talk radio - actress/Playmate Anna Nicole Smith was found dead in her Planet Hollywood room this morning. There weren't any more details. I'm sure everyone in the Slashdot community will miss her - even if you didn't enjoy her boobs, there's no denying her contributions to popular culture. Truly an American icon.

    1. Re:IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      Sad news ... Anna Nicole Smith, dead at 39 I just heard some sad news on talk radio - actress/Playmate Anna Nicole Smith was found dead in her Planet Hollywood room this morning. There weren't any more details. I'm sure everyone in the Slashdot community will miss her - even if you didn't enjoy her boobs, there's no denying her contributions to popular culture. Truly an American icon.

      If anything, her only accomplishments were taking up air, food, water, and resources that someone else might have done some good with.

      Trash is buried.

      The world is a better place without her.

      Let this be a warning to Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, the Universe really does shit on people like you. Oh, and Wham! Boy, you're in there, too.

  3. sh17 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    handy, you are free parties, but here

  4. In Soviet Russia by xluap · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    In Soviet Russia, autism cures YOU!