Posted on Autism

Lithium as a Potential Therapy for Autism

Scientists have discovered that lithium, a drug traditionally used to treat bipolar disorder and depression, could potentially be used to treat autism. Research conducted by the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) reveals that lithium can improve brain function and alleviate behavioural symptoms in animal models of autism caused by mutations in the Dyrk1a gene.

Autism is a developmental condition affecting 2.8% of the global population. Social challenges, repetitive behaviours, and intellectual difficulties characterize it. The significant impact on individuals and their families makes it crucial to find new treatment methods. Despite its prevalence, there are no definitive treatments for autism.

One crucial genetic factor associated with autism is mutations in the Dyrk1a gene, which can lead to symptoms such as small head size (microcephaly), language problems, and social disabilities. In mice with this mutation, researchers found that lithium could normalize brain size, improve neuron structure and function, and significantly enhance behaviours related to anxiety and social interaction. Remarkably, these positive effects lasted into adulthood, suggesting long-term benefits.

By analyzing proteins and their activities, researchers discovered that lithium’s therapeutic effects involve a molecule called Kalirin-7, which is essential for proper brain function. This breakthrough suggests that lithium helps restore balance in the brain’s communication networks, addressing core issues associated with autism.

Dr. Roh Junyeop, a senior researcher, likened the effects of lithium to clearing a traffic jam in the brain, allowing neurons to communicate smoothly. Director Kim Eunjoon emphasized that early intervention is crucial and that lithium’s effects highlight its potential as a treatment for autism.

Published in Molecular Psychiatry on December 5, this study offers hope for new therapeutic approaches, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. It provides a promising outlook for families and individuals affected by autism.

Posted on Cognitive dysfunction, Multiple Sclerosis

5 Common Symptoms of MS That I Have and Tips to Help Manage Them

When we live with MS, there can be dozens of symptoms, and they can interfere with our lives, our ability to work, and our quality of life. In this video, I am going to go over five common MS symptoms that I have and some tips and evidence-based ways to help us manage symptoms and improve our quality of life. These symptoms include fatigue, Uhthoff’s phenomenon, cog fog, spasms, and weakness.

Posted on Arthritis

How Your Body Clock Shapes Inflammation

Understanding the link between the body clock and inflammation could revolutionize treatment for conditions like arthritis.
Understanding the link between the body clock and inflammation could revolutionize treatment for arthritis.

New research from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has uncovered how the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, regulates inflammation in the immune system. The findings reveal that immune cells called macrophages behave differently depending on the time of day, paving the way for treatments that work harmoniously with the body’s natural rhythms.

Macrophages are immune cells that act as first responders, detecting harmful substances and triggering inflammation when needed. They assemble large protein complexes called inflammasomes, which function like “smoke detectors” to alert the immune system to potential danger.

The study, published in The FASEB Journal, showed that activating a specific inflammasome called NLRP3 fluctuates based on the 24-hour circadian clock. This rhythm determines when macrophages are most effective at detecting threats and have the energy to respond. A critical driver of this process is the mitochondria, often referred to as the cell’s “powerhouses,” which fuel these immune responses.

Inflammation and the Time of Day

“When macrophages ‘think’ it’s morning, their inflammasome activation is faster and stronger,” explained Professor Annie Curtis, the study’s principal investigator from RCSI’s School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences. “This heightened immune response aligns with the early part of the day, when we are awake and more likely to face injuries or infections.”

This discovery helps explain why symptoms of inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, tend to worsen in the morning.

“Overactive inflammasomes are a key factor in diseases like arthritis,” said Dr. James O’Siorain, lead author of the study. “Our findings suggest that therapies targeting these inflammasomes could be more effective when timed to the body’s natural immune rhythms.”

Implications for Treatment

The research opens up possibilities for tailoring treatments for inflammatory diseases based on the time of day. For example, medications designed to regulate inflammasome activity might be most effective when administered during peak macrophage activity in the morning.

The study highlights how an improved understanding of the connection between circadian rhythms and immune function could lead to more precise and effective therapies for inflammation-induced conditions.

Supported by funding from Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, this study underscores the importance of timing in medicine, offering a new perspective on managing diseases where inflammation plays a central role.