New research could be a breakthrough in Rett Syndrome treatment

By Staff Writer

A new study in the journal Neuron examines the genetic abnormality behind Rett Syndrome, which is a brain disorder that is similar to autism spectrum disorder.

Rett Syndrome is characterized by relatively normal development during infancy followed by a loss of cognitive, social and language skills beginning between 12 and 18 months of age. Researchers from Children's Hospital Boston have found the abnormality that explains this disorder, which may help clinicians adopt better treatment for various forms of autism.

Experts examined a group of mice with a mutation in their MeCP2 gene, which is commonly associated with human Rett Syndrome. They tested the strength of their neural connections by stimulating the optic tract, which is the visual system in the brain.

They found that the visual circuit in MeCP2-mutant mice was normal during the first week of life, but after three weeks the connections had weakened. They found that this result was similar in mice who had been deprived of light, or visual stimulation, for 21 days.

The study's authors said that this subtle difference in connections determines how one processes experiences. If this can be diagnosed early enough in humans, researchers believe that clinicians could design more effective treatment.

Children who have developmental disorders may also benefit from summer camps for kids, many of which provide activities that are designed to build social and language skills.