Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: chiefly described by three main deficits: 1) deviant communication, 2) impaired reciprocal social interaction, and 3) lim-ited, repetitive and stereotypic patterns of behaviors or interests 1. The world-wide prevalence of ADs is estimated to be 62/10,000 1. Although various treatment regimens have been proposed for improving overall function of autistic pa-tients, a definite efficient treatment which can target both core and associated symptoms in ADs has not been estab-lished so far. For example, current approved drugs by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) such as risperidone and aripiprazole have not been proven to pose significant effect on the core features of this disorder 2-4. While the absolute pathophysiologic mechanism of ADs is still debated, several genetic, environmental and neurobio-logical factors such as immune dysfunction, oxidative stress and imbalance of the inhibitory-excitatory systems are impli-cated in the pathogenesis of these disorders 5-7. Neurobiological models have become research areas of interest for de-velopment of novel therapeutic agents in this regard 1. Increased neuronal excitation in various central pathways has been proposed as one of the main neurobiological dysregulations in autistic patients 1. Indeed, biotechnology and in par-ticular gene therapies plays an important role in the future of research in autism 1. Neurexin 1: Part of family of genes that play a role with the neurotransmitter glutamate which is linked to autism. Gene chip technology was used to scan for genetic similarities in people with autism. DNA was scanned to search for copy number variations (CNVs), or insertions and deletions of genetic material linked to autism 1.
Source: PubMed Central
Author: Shahin Akhondzadeh
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1710146023