Detection of standard differences in the growth rate of cells with autism

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder related to communication and relatively common behavior. It affects about one in 59 children in the United States. Despite its spread, we still do not know what causes the disease and how to treat it best.
Stem cells

According to the Scienedaily journal, researchers at the USSOLC Institute have compared stem cells from individuals with autism spectrum disorders to stem cells from non-autistic patients to first detect standard differences in cell growth patterns from autism spectrum disorders.
The researchers took skin cells from eight people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and five uninfected people to transform them into multi-capable stem cells, cells able to grow into any type of cell. They can then influence the growth of stem cells and turn them into nerve cells by exposing them to certain chemical agents.

Basic differences

The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, suggest that diagnostic methods for detecting autism spectrum disorders could occur at an early stage, when preventive measures can be taken.
By using molecular "snapshots" in stem cells, the team was able to track genetic programs activated by a particular system, stem cells becoming more and more neurons. This revealed fundamental differences in the cells of people with autism spectrum disorders.

Genetic program

The SELK team observed that the genetic program associated with the neuronal phase of stem cells is more active in cells with autism spectrum disorder than in non-autistic spectrum cells. This genetic program involves many genes associated with high probabilities of autism spectrum disorders. In addition, neurons from individuals with autism spectrum disorders experienced faster growth and more complex limbs than those in the healthy group.

Dynamic methodologies

The researchers say the experiments in this study will lead to more dynamic methodologies to study the mechanisms involved in the preparation and progression of autism spectrum disorders.
In the next step, they plan to focus on creating three-dimensional growth models of the brain allowing scientists to study interventions between different types of brain cells.

Maximize the effect of treatment

"We hope these studies will serve as a practical framework for the development of new diagnostic methodologies," said Simon Schafer, professor of postgraduate training at Gage Lab. In the early years of child development – before the onset of long-term behavioral symptoms – to achieve the maximum possible impact of treatment and interventions.

The most important goal is to treat genetic disorders related to autism stem cells

01 Improve your immune system
02 metabolism
03 Ability to communicate in language and visual
04 Mental skills such as concentration, thinking and memory