New autism therapy shows surprising benefits even in adult mice
Researchers have identified a potential new treatment for autism spectrum disorder by targeting the Slc6a20a brain receptor. By reducing this transporter's activity, the team successfully restored NMDA receptor function in mouse models, offering a more precise alternative to previous, less effective therapies.
Why it matters
This discovery could lead to more targeted, effective treatments for autism and other neurological conditions while minimizing the side effects associated with broader brain-signaling therapies.
Researchers have uncovered a potential new way to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by restoring the function of an important brain receptor. The study, led by Director Eunjoon Kim of the IBS Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, focused on a glycine transporter known as Slc6a20a/SLC6A20.
The team found that reducing the activity of this transporter could help restore NMDA receptor (NMDAR) function. These receptors play a major role in communication between brain cells and are essential for learning, memory, and other cognitive processes.
A More Targeted Way to Restore Brain Signaling
Reduced NMDAR activity has been linked to several neurological and psychiatric conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, intellectual disability, and NMDAR encephalitis. Scientists have spent decades searching for ways to improve NMDAR function, but clinical studies have produced inconsistent results. Those setbacks have increased interest in treatments that can act more precisely.
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