Rett Syndrome Research Foundation Study announced: mice cured of Rett Syndrome, form of autism!!!!!!

[originalpckelly]

http://www.rsrf.org/reversal_experiment/index.html

A variation of the gene responsible for Rett syndrome is thought to be behind other forms of autism! This may very well be the start of a freakin' cure! :woohoo: :bounce:

"Cincinnati, OH (February 8, 2007) -The Rett Syndrome Research Foundation (RSRF) announces results of a landmark study reversing the symptoms of Rett Syndrome (RTT) in a genetic mouse model. The findings, by Adrian Bird, Ph.D., of the University of Edinburgh and Chairman of the RSRF Scientific Advisory Board, appear online in Science Express on February 8, 2007. Rett Syndrome is a severe childhood neurological disease that is the most physically disabling of the autism spectrum disorders. The experiments were funded by the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation (RSRF), the Wellcome Trust and the Rett Syndrome U.K./Jeans for Genes.

Caused by mutations in the gene MECP2, RTT affects primarily girls, striking at random in early childhood and destroying speech, normal movement and functional hand use. Many children become wheelchair bound; those who walk display an abnormal, stiff-legged gait. Disordered breathing patterns and Parkinson-like tremors are common.

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.

"Like many other people, we expected that giving MECP2 to mice that were already sick would not work," said Bird. "The idea that you could put back an essential component after the damage to the brain is done and recover an apparently normal mouse seemed farfetched, as nerve cells that developed in the absence of a key component were assumed to be irrevocably damaged. The results are gratifyingly clear, though, and must give hope to those who are affected by this distressing disorder.""

http://www.rsrf.org/reversal_experiment/index.html

[mzmolly]

1. Wow, that's awesome news! And, the implications could be far reaching.

"The findings are extraordinary, and are of relevance not only to Rett Syndrome but to a much broader class of disorders, including autism and schizophrenia. The successful restoration of normal function demonstrated in the mouse models suggests that if we can develop therapies to address the loss of MECP2 we may be able to reverse neurological damage in children and adults with Rett, autism and related neuropsychiatric disorders,"

:toast:

[originalpckelly]

2. Very amazing what they were able to achieve with this, very very amazing!

:woohoo:

[mzmolly]

3. This needs MORE attention.

:kick:

[cynatnite]

4. Sending this to my daughter...

My grandson is autistic.

Thank You!

[Liberty Belle]

5. Fantastic news! Would it work for Parkinson's?

The article mentions Parkinson's-like tremors. My Dad has Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. I'd love to find out if there are any clinicals with MECP2 planned on people with either of these conditions.