Interesting bit of research

[Au Naturel]

I'm not entirely sure that in vitro research is specific enough to identify the causes of autism. Still, I think it will be useful in understanding the brain more generally.

Using a host of high-tech tools to simulate brain development in a lab dish, Stanford University researchers have discovered several dozen genes that interfere with crucial steps in the process and may lead to autism, a spectrum of disorders that affects about one in every 36 Americans, impairing their ability to communicate and interact with others.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2023/10/05/autism-genes-brain-development/

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Agree. Being able to identify the genes is informative. Quite another to learn how to manipulate the genetic switches leading to not only autism, but other neurodevelopmental conditions, is useful.

For further information on the genetics of autism:

 

[Tom]

Kind of Interesting and very pretty green colors btw.

"Ming, who was not involved in the project, described it as a “tour-de-force” that may one day lead researchers to develop treatments for autism and other disorders..."

Now forgive me for being skeptical, but I can't imagine scientists actually developing treatments (fiddling with genetics) during human pregnancies and ending up with who knows what.

I found the other professor's comments much more relevant.

The autism services cliff

"Jennifer Singh, an autism expert and associate professor in the school of history and sociology at Georgia Institute of Technology, said too much money has been poured into searching for the genetic underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder. Singh pointed to a 2018 report by a federal advisory committee, which found that 60 percent of the funding for autism research addressed the biology and risk factors, but only 2 percent dealt with “life span issues” for people living with the spectrum of disorders.

“This hyper focus and massive investment obscures the real issues people with autism and their families face,” Singh wrote in an email. She cited the “autism services cliff,” which occurs when people with autism can no longer attend public school. “Services that would be useful for autistic adults do not exist or are no longer available,” she said.

I am not sure about other states but already where I reside autist children were allowed to remain in high school up to age 21. This past summer they extended that to 22 years. It delays falling off the cliff but that's all. Just delays it.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Now forgive me for being skeptical, but I can't imagine scientists actually developing treatments (fiddling with genetics) during human pregnancies and ending up with who knows what.

Yes and no. It just depends. Working in the neonatal world for nearly 40 years, autism is way, way down on the list of "nasty genetic conditions" that one may be able to significantly reduce. When I say this, it might be a family where a child has already died, or has a child that is facing a life of pain and suffering, only to lead to an early death. There's some really nasty stuff out there. Absolutely devastating conditions. Autism doesn't come close to making any such list. Now, having said that, if a couple has had genetic testing, and it is one of those conditions that can be manipulated through gene editing, it has the potential to essentially eliminate a specific genetic marker from the family line. Even when children of these families are not born with the condition, they carry the gene that might pop up in future generations. So, in some cases, it may be important enough to eliminate. If this couple donates their sperm and egg, fertilize it in vitro, have the genetic editing done, then implant the fertilized egg, this would be a wonderful thing.

I know that some people think there is a "slippery slope" here, as presented in some dystopian science fiction movies, where parents can choose eye and hair color, and all sorts of a'la carte selections. What I realistically see, being in the field for as long as I have, is a highly-regulated, and very selective process. Looking forward into the future few decades, I really don't see this as being "commonly practiced".

Specifically, with regards to autism, this is "a different animal". No "one gene" is accountable for autism, but rather hundreds. I don't see a day where autism could be gene edited out, at least not in the ways we currently do this.

 

[Au Naturel]

The trick will be discovering how all those genes modify the brain structure. We don't know how a lot of the body's structures are produced.

Gene therapy is the Holy Grail of medical science. Most of the focus is on fixing simple genetic diseases where we have a single gene to edit—things like sickle cell, cystic fibrosis, and hemophilia. Just because autism has many different genes that can influence its development doesn't mean there can't be gene therapy. There is probably a limited number of hard "trigger" genes that, if you don't have one, the other autism-related genes don't matter.

Genes, after all, only string together amino acids to produce peptide chains. If your genes aren't producing a chemical that creates an NT brain structure, discovering it and supplementing that chemical in utero or during early childhood could resolve the issue without resorting to gene therapy. Once the brain structure develops, it probably won't undevelop.

Also, once we know the biochemistry involved, we will be able to figure out what kind of epigenetic and environmental factors might also interfere to produce the same results as "autistic genes" would.

 

[Ursus Chainus]

Well, I have a complete theory around this. It is yet to be tested in the scientific method.

“Autism” occurs in other species. It is a way of spreading genetic material to other members of the same species that are genetically different.

Heck, humans are a product of interbred hominids…

You do this through having individuals who cannot relate with those around them.

Pretty simple… why can’t others get this?

Utterly confused… even though my work predicts it is confusing for the species involved