r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Feb 08 '25

Neuroscience Specific neurons that secrete oxytocin in the brain are disrupted in a mouse model of autism, neuroscientists have found. Stimulating these neurons restored social behaviors in these mice. These findings could help to develop new ways to treat autism.

https://www.riken.jp/en/news_pubs/research_news/rr/20250207_1/index.html
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u/monster-baiter Feb 08 '25

autistic people: talk extensively of their experience, build community and exchange and compare experiences to each other

scientists: if only there was some way to understand what autistic people experience

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u/SofaKingI Feb 08 '25

It's almost like that's not the goal of this study?

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u/Tawmcruize Feb 08 '25

Seems like they're trying to figure out if oxytocin will make autistic people's brain "normal". Anyways here's a 3d model of a mouse brain with autism.

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u/SuperStoneman Feb 08 '25

This is how medical research works, you have to show a lot of data in support of your claim before you can start human testing on even the lowest risk groups. They can't just inject neurotransmitters into people who cant effectively communicate.