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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."

6 of 318 comments (clear)

  1. flowers for algernon by stoolpigeon · · Score: 5, Interesting

    make sure it doesn't wear off after a little while

    --
    It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
    1. Re:flowers for algernon by jeffasselin · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Seriously. I read that book 15 years ago and it still stands out in my mind how sad the degradation is. It is one of my worst nightmare to eventually lose my reasoning capacities.

      --
      If he explores all forms and substances Straight homeward to their symbol-essences; He shall not die.
  2. $1k per month by Dougmeister · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "Rapamycin costs about $1,000 per month" For the rest of your life. Wow. I guess that's still a price that someone would be willing to pay if it would benefit them.

  3. Cod Liver Oil by lobiusmoop · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Make sure you get plenty of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids while you're growing up (good source = cod liver oil), and you can avoid many mental problems in the first place

    --
    "I bless every day that I continue to live, for every day is pure profit."
  4. It's not that bad! by timster · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I've been taking this drug for years. I'll tell ya, having three or four mouth sores at all times helps you lose weight! And when you can't come to work for a month because of a raging... common cold, your idiot boss totally understands!

    Sigh... luckily, these days, I'm on a lower dosage (and with a different boss).

    --
    I have seen the future, and it is inconvenient.
  5. Re:As a parent of an Autistic... by aproposofwhat · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Any hope is a good hope.

    Amen to that - I'm looking forward to taking my severely autistic stepson out to the Brooklands Double Twelve this Sunday, and will be taking the utmost pleasure from seeing him enjoy himself among all the old racing cars.

    The behavioural problems we can cope with, but he's physically handicapped as well, so in residential care.

    But every Sunday, come rain or shine, it's Josh's day.

    --
    One swallow does not a fellatrix make