Scottish Scientists Raise Hopes of New Treatments for Autism

www.timesonline.co.uk...

Scottish scientists have discovered a gene linked with autism, raising the prospect of the development of new treatments for the condition.

Drugs to control autism could be developed within five years as a result of the findings, according to the doctor who led the research team at the University of Aberdeen. The condition affects more than 500,000 people across Britain and there is no cure.

The study, published yesterday, began seven years ago with one child with severe autism.

The boy attended the genetics clinic at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where he was found to have a rare re-arrangement of chromosomes in which one had broken and swapped with another. By using genetic mapping techniques, researchers discovered that this realignment had disrupted a gene known to be important to memory and learning.

reply to post by MajorDisaster


It's not hard to predict that this will not have any favorable results except more drug profits for more drug companies.

Drugs to control autism could be developed within five years

Man, those scientists are smart. Maybe they can develop drugs to help us grow wings too. Probably 7 or 8 years out for that one though.