In what could lead to new tests and treatments for autism, scientists claim to have discovered a key gene in the brain, which is linked to the condition. An international team, led by the University of California, has shown for the first time how the CNTNAP2 gene linked to autism rewires the brain's connections, a finding which could lead to new tests and treatments. In children with the gene, the brain's frontal lobe, which plays a key role in learning, is poorly linked to the rest of the brain, the 'Daily Mail' reported. Lead scientist Ashley Scott-Van Zeeland said: "In children who carry the risk gene, the front of the brain seems to mainly talk to itself. It doesn't communicate as much with other parts of the brain and lacks long-range connections to the back of the brain." There were also fewer connections between the frontal lobe and the left side of the brain, which is key to speech and understanding language. Team member Dr Daniel Geschwind, an expert in the genetics of autism, said: "This is a key piece of the puzzle we've been searching for. Now we can begin to unravel the mystery of how genes rearrange the brain's circuitry not only in autism but in many related neurological disorders." According to the scientists, learning more about how the CNTNAP2 gene is linked to autism could lead to new tests for the condition. It could also help with the design of drugs that strengthen the connections between brain regions. "If we determine that the CNTNAP2 variant is a consistent predictor of language difficulties, we could begin to develop targeted therapies to help rebalance the brain and move it toward a path of more normal development," they said. The findings have been published in the latest edition of the 'Science Translational Medicine' journal.
Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar attracted opposition BJP's ire today in Rajya Sabha when he said he was not interested in listening to speech of a BJP member on vote on account, prompting the Chair to adjourn the House amid uproar. During the Zero Hour, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien allowed Aiyar, who wanted to ask a question, to do so, which was opposed by BJP members. Kurien asked Aiyar whether he yielded to allow others to speak, to which he said he had no objection and he can ask his question later. As the House got ready to initiate discussion on Vote on Account, Kurien said, "Let us reduce the discussion to two hours from four hours," which was opposed by BJP members including Piyush Goyal who was given a chance to speak on Vote on Account. When it was agreed that discussion will take place as per schedule, Aiyar remarked he was not interested in listening to the speech by BJP member. "You had given me the chance to ask a question
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