Restoring inhibitory neuron plasticity may reverse neurodevelopmental disorder symptoms, preclinical study suggests
Some of the symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy, may result from dysfunction of certain neurons in the brain and their ability to change their properties in response to experiences—a process called experience-dependent plasticity. In preclinical research published in Nature, a team led by investigators at Mass General Brigham identified…
Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and epilepsy, may stem from dysfunctional neurons that struggle to adjust their properties based on experiences, a phenomenon known as experience-dependent plasticity. In a study published in Nature, researchers from Mass General Brigham have identified a gene that could potentially reverse symptoms of these disorders, even in adulthood.
Senior author Dr. Amar Sahay explained that the team aimed to uncover genes linked to the plasticity of parvalbumin inhibitory neurons and discovered that a gene called Meis2 was expressed at lower levels in these neurons but increased with experience. By using gene therapy to boost Meis2 expression in a mouse model, the researchers observed improvements in cognitive deficits, seizures, and memory.
This breakthrough suggests that targeting Meis2 could hold promise for therapeutic interventions in neurodevelopmental disorders, highlighting the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind genetic impairments.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
