This week the media over-hyped a publication on a potential link between Alzheimer’s and Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, this new study did identify a new treatment target for some forms of ASD. Not all forms, but some forms. Not all forms of ASD have the same underlying neurobiology and while one treatment may help a larger group of people with ASD, they also may not. This week’s podcast explores potential treatment targets in 3 different animal models of ASD.
Sometimes treatment targets come from the places you wouldn’t expect. This week, three new studies on the biological and sometimes, behavioral, effects of three commonly used compounds used to treat high cholesterol, edema, and angina were studied in people with autism. Instead of focusing on just the behavior however, these studies took the approach of examining them from the behavioral side, determining if there was a biological reason why these compounds should be helping people with autism. This means autism research has turned a corner – it’s not just about behavioral improvements, but about how the drug is working in the brain. Also, a fun study about social media in people with autism. They don’t just use it like the rest of us, it actually makes people with autism happy.
Here are the studies included in this week’s podcast:
