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Autism Reversed in Mice at MIT Lab

ClayTapes writes "It seems that scientists at MIT have been able to reverse the effects of autism and some forms of mental retardation in mice caused by fragile X chromosomes. They do so by targeting an enzyme that changes the structure of connections between brain cells. The treatment actually repairs these structural abnormalities which suggests that it may be possible to reverse the effects in children who already show symptoms."

24 of 303 comments (clear)

  1. Amazingly by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The mice are still not talking... except for one.

    1. Re:Amazingly by Ub3rT3Rr0R1St · · Score: 4, Funny

      Rain Mouse!

    2. Re:Amazingly by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      yeah, but that one became the US president 7 years ago. And it still does not make sense when talking.

    3. Re:Amazingly by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 1, Funny

      I'd respond to this, but it's time for Wopnar.

    4. Re:Amazingly by fohat · · Score: 5, Funny

      Rain Mouse is two words...
      definitely...
      definitely two words...

      --
      Is there heaven? Is there Hell? Is that a Tuna Melt I smell?-Primus
  2. Nice article by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 1, Funny

    There is hope for us yet.

    Did you know, there are 773 words on that article page.

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    liqbase :: faster than paper
  3. Now all we need by also-rr · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is a drug that turns people into mice and 99% of diseases will be a solved problem.

    1. Re:Now all we need by Tackhead · · Score: 5, Funny
      > Is a drug that turns people into mice and 99% of diseases will be a solved problem.

      "Stop giving away our plans, Pinky, or I shall have to hurt you."

  4. great by Lord+Ender · · Score: 3, Funny

    Just being small and furry makes it hard for mice to socialize at parties. I can't even imagine how hard it would be for an autistic mouse.

    --
    A slashdotter who didn't build his own computer is like a Jedi who didn't build his own lightsaber.
    1. Re:great by jollyreaper · · Score: 4, Funny

      Just being small and furry makes it hard for mice to socialize at parties. I can't even imagine how hard it would be for an autistic mouse. Well, it could be worse. They could be partying with Richard Gere.
      --
      Kwisatz Haderach
      Sell the spice to CHOAM
      This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
    2. Re:great by jollyreaper · · Score: 4, Funny

      Just being small and furry makes it hard for mice to socialize at parties. I can't even imagine how hard it would be for an autistic mouse. Well, it could be worse. They could be partying with Richard Gere. Flamebait? Who modded me down, a jealous gerbil?
      --
      Kwisatz Haderach
      Sell the spice to CHOAM
      This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
  5. Finally by katterjohn · · Score: 2, Funny

    We've been needing some of that down here in the South for a looong time...

  6. Oh yeah it's just a pill by Arthur+B. · · Score: 3, Funny

    but then in the morning you find yourself unable to count matches spilled on the floor, break the bank playing blackjack and eventually communicate with the objects around you. Beware, beware.

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    \u262D = \u5350
  7. A tragic end by CrashPoint · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sadly, the project was cut short when the mice intentionally reversed the treatments, having found themselves unable to relate to their newly-lovestruck trainers.

  8. Re:Further information by GodfatherofSoul · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm not an authority on this, except that I once did a 6 minute presentation for one of my biology classes. On the Slashdot scale, that makes you a Doctor of Autistic Studies.

    --
    I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!
  9. Its not about Bush .. its about porn. by trolltalk.com · · Score: 1, Funny

    "Prior to treatment they showed signs of hyperactivity, purposeless and repetitive movements."

    Sounds more like someone surfing the net for pr0n, accompanied by the sound of one hand clapping ...

    1. Re:Its not about Bush .. its about porn. by cp.tar · · Score: 3, Funny

      Isn't that, one hand fapping?

      --
      Ignore this signature. By order.
  10. Algernon by chuckymonkey · · Score: 3, Funny

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

    --
    "Some books contain the machinery required to create and sustain universes."-Tycho
  11. Obligatory... by deblau · · Score: 2, Funny

    I for one welcome our socially outgoing, well-adjusted, fuzzy minuscule overlords.

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    This post expresses my opinion, not that of my employer. And yes, IAAL.
  12. Feedback loop by paleo2002 · · Score: 2, Funny

    But, People magazine and Tom Cruise told me that vaccines cause autism! How can a vaccine cure autism?

  13. Re:Definitely by dosquatch · · Score: 3, Funny

    Unfortunatly, there's no much of a solution to that since we can't have people randomly ingesting chemical experiments just to see.

    You've never been to a frat party, have you?

    --
    "Hey, the third matrix movie would have been good except for the plot,story, and acting." --AC
  14. How to tell when a mouse is tripping by SpaceLifeForm · · Score: 2, Funny

    The pointer keeps going to a corner.

    --
    You are being MICROattacked, from various angles, in a SOFT manner.
  15. Relevant light bulb joke by ajs318 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Q. How many Disabled People's Rights activists does it take to change a light bulb?

    A. It's not the light bulb that needs changing, it's the rest of Society's attitude that needs changing!

    --
    Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
  16. Re:Definitely by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    "Apparently either it's not all that apparent when a mouse is tripping or mice don't trip."

    Maybe they trip just like humans:

    "Whoa! That cheese is giggling! Ah! My cage is melting! OK, keep cool! Here comes the guy in the white coat. Don't act fried. Try to act normal. Don't act fried."