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.
Legendary playback singer Manna Dey, who mesmerised generations of listeners with his inimitable voice for over five decades with hits like 'ay mere pyara watan', 'laaga chunri me daag' and 'poocho na kaise', died at a hospital here today at the age of 94 after prolonged illness. Dey, who was in and out of Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital in the last five months for respiratory and renal problems, died of cardiac arrest with his daughter Shumita Deb and son-in-law Jnanranjan Deb by his bedside when the end came at 3.50 AM. The condition of Dey, who had made Bangalore his home for the last many years, deteriorated since yesterday afternoon, hospital spokesman Vasuki said. With the demise of Dey, the void has become complete in the famous quartet of singers Rafi, Mukesh, and Kishore Kumar, who dominated the Hindi music industry from 1950s to 1970s. The mortal remains of Dey, whose unique voice lent a rare dimension to his persona, were cremate...
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