First drug identified as possible autism treatment

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have had a fascinating breakthrough. On May 21,2010 researchers released results of a recent study.  The research indicates that they have found the first drug to treat  a type of autism.   Past research demonstrated that a gene mutation in the brain called SHANK3 caused language delays, intellectual delays and autism. When Mount Sinai developed a mouse with this same condition (the same gene mutation) they saw a pause or interruption of the brain cell communication in these mice. This indicated the brain cells were not maturing appropriately.  Researchers injected the mice with insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF1).   In two weeks the never cells were behaving normally,  They demonstrated that in a mouse model of Phelan-MCDermid Syndrome (PMS), which falls under autism spectrum, nerve cell communication improved ; memory and learning abilities were restored  This gives hope that a treatment is soon to come for individuals with PMS.  Joseph Buxbaum, PhD, Director of the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai School of Medicine is the figurehead of this-center study.  It is also important to mention that IGF1 is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use on children who have growth disorders.

To read this study : mssm.edu/research/centers/seaver-autism-center