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Drug Reverses Retardation In Mice

Posted by kdawson on from the give-my-regards-to-algernon dept.

snydeq writes "Rapamycin, a medication doctors prescribe to transplant patients to prevent organ rejection, has been used to reverse learning disorders and mild retardation associated with TSC (tuberous sclerosis complex) in mice. Because the condition is linked to autism, scientists believe the drug may be used to treat learning disabilities and short-term memory deficits in all kinds of autism as well. The scientists chose rapamycin after they realized the drug regulates one of the same proteins that the TSC gene does, just in different parts of the body. 'What was surprising is that we could give rapamycin to adult mice and reverse their condition,' said neurobiologist Alcino Silva of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. 'We did not know ... that this drug would be equally effective for the learning disabilities as it is for tissue rejection.' Rapamycin treatment leveled the playing field between normal and TSC mice in as little as three days."

5 of 318 comments (clear)

  1. Every Rose Has Its Thorn by MaliciousSmurf · · Score: 4, Informative

    "There are, however, the expected side effects from a drug that suppresses the immune system: impaired wound healing, infections, mouth sores and, in rare instances, skin cancer." (and every cowboy sings a sad sad song.)

    1. Re:Every Rose Has Its Thorn by sheepweevil · · Score: 2, Informative

      There is a way, using current technology, to cure Type 1 Diabetes: an islet cell transplant. The reason every Diabetic in the world isn't getting it, though, is that having to take antirejection drugs is worse than simply using insulin therapy for most people. I am curious to know how the benefits outweigh the risks in this case.

  2. Autism Affects 1 in 160 Children in the US by FurtiveGlancer · · Score: 5, Informative

    Having studied the autistic spectrum to some degree, this provides hope for only a few of the range of autistic symptoms. To learn more, check out Autism Speaks.

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    Invenio via vel creo
  3. Re:flowers for algernon by Helmholtz · · Score: 2, Informative

    LOL! ... No, that would be NiMH, not NIMH. ;)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrs._Frisby_and_the_Rats_of_NIMH

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    RFC2119
  4. Re:Cool! by John+Courtland · · Score: 2, Informative

    Nah dude, you were trolling, whether you admit to it or not. Not only that but you're incorrect, you definitely don't need a degree to have opportunities, you just have to sweet talk a lot better than the guy with the sheep skin.

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