Drug Temporarily Reverses Autism-Like Brain Changes in Adult Mice Within Hours
Autism
Summary
A UCLA Health study demonstrates that a single dose of rapamycin, an immunosuppressive drug, can rapidly reverse autism-like brain and behavioral changes in adult mice within hours. The research reveals that maternal inflammation during pregnancy triggers autism-spectrum characteristics in offspring, but these effects may be reversible in adulthood. While conducted in mice, these findings suggest potential therapeutic approaches for treating autism-related symptoms in humans. The reversibility is temporary, but the speed of response opens new avenues for understanding and potentially treating neurodevelopmental conditions linked to prenatal inflammation.
