|
最近自闭症的研究有了巨大突破,据称,这个突破相当于30年前对癌症研究的革命性理解和治疗。
三个主要的研究首次发现自闭症障碍的遗传机制,其中包括那些比较常见。
科学家认为,研究结果可能标志着自闭症治疗的大转变,如同当年研究人员揭开癌症的遗传原因。
自闭症包括一组称为自闭症失调症状情形,150个儿童中大约一个受影响,主要是男性儿童。
他们的标志是缺乏能力交流和社会互动,注意力狭窄和重复性行为。
据信复杂的基因异常导致了自闭症,但确定具体基因非常困难。
虽然一些遗传变异曾牵连自闭症 ,但是具体相关尚未明确。
科学家相信,这项新的研究,其中包括对数以万计的志愿者DNA进行筛选,可能将最后揭开自闭症原因的盖子。
这表明,称为细胞粘附分子的蛋白质,在形成脑“网络”和神经细胞的沟通方面发挥关键作用,它们的异常是自闭症障碍重要原因。
根据这些发现,现在可以开发针对这些蛋白质的基因新的治疗方法。
-----------------
Scientists hail autism breakthrough
3 days ago
Autism research has hit a breakthrough point equivalent to the one that revolutionised the understanding and treatment of cancer 30 years ago, it has been claimed.
Three major studies have for the first time pinpointed genetic mechanisms underlying autistic disorders, including ones which are relatively common.
Scientists believe the findings could mark as big a transformation in tackling autism as occurred when researchers began to unravel the genetic causes of cancer.
Autism covers a group of conditions known as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) which affect about one in 150 mostly male children.
They are marked by an impaired ability to communicate and interact socially, narrowly focused attention, and repetitive behaviour.
A complex genetic jigsaw is believed to underpin autism, but identifying the pieces has proved difficult.
Although a number of genetic variants have previously been implicated in ASDs, the connections have not been clear.
The new research, which involved screening the DNA of many thousands of volunteers, may at last have lifted the lid on the causes of autism, scientists believe.
It suggests that proteins called cell adhesion molecules, which play a vital role in shaping brain "wiring" and the way nerve cells communicate, play a key role in autism disorders.
New treatments could now be developed that target these proteins or the genes that provide the instructions for making them.
Copyright © 2009 The Press Association. All rights reserved. |
|