Brain zapping may restore social behaviour in autistic kids


Team Udayavani, Dec 17, 2017, 4:35 PM IST

Washington: Scientists have identified a brain region that can be stimulated to correct social impairments in autistic children.

The research from the University of Texas (UT) in the US provides the first evidence that a specific part of the cerebellum, a region near the brain stem that has long been thought to only have roles in coordinating movement, is critical for autistic behaviours.

It also establishes a more accessible target for brain stimulation than many autism-related neural circuits that are buried deep within the brain’s folds. “This is potentially quite a powerful finding. From a therapeutic standpoint, this part of the cerebellum is an enticing target,” said Peter Tsai, from UT Southwestern Medical Centre.

“And although neuromodulation would not cure the underlying genetic cause of a person’s autism, improving social deficits in children with autism could make a huge impact on their quality of life,” Tsai said. The research, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, utilised neuromodulation to demonstrate that humans and mice have parallel connections between specific domains within the cerebellum and cerebral cortex that have been implicated in autism studies.

Subsequent phases of the study showed that disrupting the function within the cerebellar domain resulted in autistic behaviours and that brain stimulation corrected social impairment in mice. The next step is to ensure the same technique would be safe to conduct on children. Although doctors have safely applied cerebellar neuromodulation to disorders such as schizophrenia, it has not been studied in children with autism.

“This area of the brain has not received the attention it deserves in regards to understanding autism,” said Tsai. Most of the focus of autism research has been on the cortex, a region of the brain associated with cognition, he added. “Our findings have prompted new thoughts on how the cerebellum may be involved in autism and most importantly suggest that the cerebellum could be a therapeutic target for treatment,” said Tsai.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Kangana takes ‘demon’ jibe at MVA, says it lost Maharashtra for disrespecting women

Eastern states were considered backward earlier, I view them as India’s growth engine: PM Modi

Chennai Super Kings can use R Ashwin in a number of ways: Stephen Fleming

Two highway robbers shot at in Hubballi during spot inspection

Maharashtra Elections | Eknath Shinde elected as Shiv Sena legislature party leader

Ullal: Auto-rickshaw accident near Konaje claims driver’s life

Congress victory in bypolls not a clean chit to CM in MUDA case: R Ashoka

Related Articles More

Mangaluru: Campco opposes WHO’s claim of arecanut being carcinogenic

10 month baby gets new heart, new life

World COPD Day: Know your lung function

As Delhi chokes with dangerous pollution levels, doctors warn of health risks for all

World Diabetes Day 2024: Kasturba Hospital Manipal Hosts Zumba Session at Malpe Beach to Raise Diabetes Awareness

MUST WATCH

Coconut Flower

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar


Latest Additions

Kangana takes ‘demon’ jibe at MVA, says it lost Maharashtra for disrespecting women

Eastern states were considered backward earlier, I view them as India’s growth engine: PM Modi

Villagers open fire on cops trying to take history-sheeter to police station

Chennai Super Kings can use R Ashwin in a number of ways: Stephen Fleming

LDF performed well in bypolls despite Cong’s ‘false campaign’, says Vijayan

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.