Ketamine, or related drugs, maybe a useful treatment for autism, and researchers from Tourette, Lancaster University reported.
The effects of genetic mutations that increase the likelihood of initiating these two problems in the brain were also detected for the first time. Autism affects about 2.8 million people in the UK and Tourette’s disease – a condition caused by noise and mobility impairments called tics – affects around 300,000 people in the UK.
Treatments for both of these problems are limited and new treatments are urgently needed. Recent research has also shown that there is a genetic link between these problems.
People who mutate the gene often have a developmental delay called chromosome 2p16.3 and have learning disabilities. They are about 15 times more likely to develop autism and 20 times more likely to develop Tourette’s disease, but the mechanism is not fully understood.
Neuroxin1
Using a brain biopsy, a neurologist showed that deletion of the affected gene 2p16.3 (Neurexin1) affects the function of the brain region involved in both conditions. The important finding is that the destruction of this gene affects a part of the brain called the thalamus, interfering with its ability to communicate with other parts of the brain.
“Currently, we have a weak understanding of how the elimination of 2p16.3 increases the risk of developing this disease. However, we do know that the elimination of 2p16.3 involves the elimination of Neuroxin1 cells, the protein-producing factor responsible for enabling neurons to communicate effectively. “
researcher dr. Neil Dawson of Lancaster University said.
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Source: Rebecca B Hughes, et al. CC-BY [/subtitles]
Deletion of Neuroxin1 cells affects parts of the brain associated with autism and Tourette’s disease, including the thalamus, a part of the brain that plays an important role in helping other parts of the brain communicate with one another. Changes were also seen in areas of the brain involved in emotional information processing, learning, and memory.
Definition and lack of motor
Significantly, the researchers also found that genetic elimination impairs the thalamic brain’s ability to communicate with other parts of the brain. They then tested the potential for low-dose ketamine, a drug used in high-dose hospitals as an anesthetic, to reverse brain changes caused by genetic degradation.
“Interestingly, our data suggest that ketamine can recover some brain-derived portions of 2p16.3 destruction and suggest ketamine, or other related drugs, may be useful in some of the symptoms seen in the treatment of autism in Tourette. have “,
Dr. Dawson said.
Interestingly, ketamine has been shown to improve function in the thalamic region due to gene breakdown and restore the ability of these areas to communicate with other organs in the brain. This suggests that ketamine, or related drugs, may be an effective treatment for people with dementia 2p16.3 or those with autism and Tourette’s syndrome, although further investigation is needed.
More research is needed
The doctor suggested. Dawson has warned those who might be considering ketamine therapy to be careful.
“While these data provide us with important new insights into the 2p16.3 depletion brain circuitry influencing the benefits of ketamine helping people with autism and Tourette is conducting more research to build clinical strength. We are aware that ketamine affects the function of certain areas of the brain other than the thalamus. , and side effects in other areas may have side effects. Also, long-term ketamine treatment may cause side effects. These are not well understood. We believe that ketamine is not the best treatment option due to its short life span and body.
However, the results of this study suggest we need to know about the types of drugs that may be useful in the treatment of this problem and we use this activity information to follow up on the support of these drugs for the treatment of these problems. . “
He says.