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| Clue over autism 'hug avoidance' | Clue over autism 'hug avoidance' |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Delays at crucial points during the development of the brain in the womb may explain why people with a condition linked to autism do not like hugs. | Delays at crucial points during the development of the brain in the womb may explain why people with a condition linked to autism do not like hugs. |
| A study in mice with fragile X syndrome found wiring in the part of the brain that responds to touch is formed late. | A study in mice with fragile X syndrome found wiring in the part of the brain that responds to touch is formed late. |
| The findings may help explain why people with the condition are hypersensitive to physical contact, the researchers wrote in Neuron. | The findings may help explain why people with the condition are hypersensitive to physical contact, the researchers wrote in Neuron. |
| It also points to key stages when treatment could be most effective. | It also points to key stages when treatment could be most effective. |
| Fragile X syndrome is caused by a mutant gene in the X chromosome that interferes in the production of a protein called fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). | Fragile X syndrome is caused by a mutant gene in the X chromosome that interferes in the production of a protein called fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). |
| Under normal circumstances, the protein directs the formation of other proteins that build synapses in the brain. | Under normal circumstances, the protein directs the formation of other proteins that build synapses in the brain. |
| It also has implications for the treatment of autism since the changes in the brains of fragile X and autistic people are thought to significantly overlap Professor Peter Kind, Study author | |
| Boys are usually more severely affected with the condition - which is the leading known cause of autism - because as they have only one X chromosome. | Boys are usually more severely affected with the condition - which is the leading known cause of autism - because as they have only one X chromosome. |
| In addition to mental impairment, hyperactivity, emotional and behavioural problems, anxiety and mood swings, people with fragile X also show what doctors call "tactile defensiveness", which means they do not make eye contact and do not like physical contact and are hypersensitive to touch and sound. | In addition to mental impairment, hyperactivity, emotional and behavioural problems, anxiety and mood swings, people with fragile X also show what doctors call "tactile defensiveness", which means they do not make eye contact and do not like physical contact and are hypersensitive to touch and sound. |
| Connections | Connections |
| By recording electrical signals in the brains of mice, bred to mimic the condition, the researchers found that connections in the sensory cortex in the brain were late to mature. | By recording electrical signals in the brains of mice, bred to mimic the condition, the researchers found that connections in the sensory cortex in the brain were late to mature. |
| This "mistiming" may trigger a domino effect and cause further problems with the correct wiring of the brain, they concluded. | This "mistiming" may trigger a domino effect and cause further problems with the correct wiring of the brain, they concluded. |
| The study also found these changes in the brain's connections occur much earlier than previously thought, midway through a baby's development in the womb. | The study also found these changes in the brain's connections occur much earlier than previously thought, midway through a baby's development in the womb. |
| And it suggests there are key "windows" when treatments for fragile X and autism could be most effective, they said. | And it suggests there are key "windows" when treatments for fragile X and autism could be most effective, they said. |
| Professor Peter Kind, who led the study at the University of Edinburgh, added: "We've learned these changes happen much earlier than previously thought, which gives valuable insight into when we should begin therapeutic intervention for people with these conditions. | Professor Peter Kind, who led the study at the University of Edinburgh, added: "We've learned these changes happen much earlier than previously thought, which gives valuable insight into when we should begin therapeutic intervention for people with these conditions. |
| "It also has implications for the treatment of autism since the changes in the brains of fragile X and autistic people are thought to significantly overlap." | "It also has implications for the treatment of autism since the changes in the brains of fragile X and autistic people are thought to significantly overlap." |
| Dr Gina Gómez de la Cuesta, from the National Autistic Society, said research into fragile X syndrome could help understanding of certain aspects of autism. | |
| "Autism is common in people with fragile X syndrome, however there are many other causes of autism, most of which are not yet fully understood. | "Autism is common in people with fragile X syndrome, however there are many other causes of autism, most of which are not yet fully understood. |
| "Understanding how the brain works when a person has fragile X syndrome could help put some of the pieces together about what is happening in the brain when a person has autism, but it is not the whole story. | "Understanding how the brain works when a person has fragile X syndrome could help put some of the pieces together about what is happening in the brain when a person has autism, but it is not the whole story. |
| "Animal research can tell us a lot about genetics and the brain, but it is only a small part of the picture and further research would be required before we fully understand any links to autism." | "Animal research can tell us a lot about genetics and the brain, but it is only a small part of the picture and further research would be required before we fully understand any links to autism." |