$3 Epilepsy Drug May "Switch Off" Autism Symptoms in Mice

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A $3-per-pill epilepsy drug may be used to “switch off” autism symptoms in mice, according to a new study.

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The medication lamotrigine was able to curb behavioral and social problems linked to autism.

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Lamotrigine, an anti-seizure drug, was first approved for use in the US in 1994.

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Scientists believe that drug treatment in adulthood can alleviate brain cell dysfunction and thus counteract the behavioral abnormalities typical of autism.

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Lamotrigine reverses changes to brain cells caused by a genetic mutation.

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MYT1L protein plays a role in various neuronal diseases.

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Mutations of the protein have previously been linked to other neurological diseases and brain malformations

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Mice lacking MYT1L suffered from brain abnormalities and showed several behavioral changes typical to ASD.

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When MYT1L-deficient nerve cells were treated with lamotrigine, their electrophysiological activity returned to normal.

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Autism spectrum disorder impacts an estimated 5.4 million (2.2% of) adults — and one in 44 children — in the United States.

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Lamotrigine is sold under the brand name Lamictal and is a medication used to treat epilepsy and stabilize mood in those who suffer from bipolar disorder.

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MYT1L protein is a transcription factor that protects the identity of nerve cells by suppressing other developmental pathways that program a cell toward muscle or connective tissue.

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The drastic increase in autism diagnoses may be partly responsible for the growing trend of women giving birth later in life.

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