A scientific breakthrough may be among us – Lamotrigine, the $3 prescription medicine used to treat epileptic seizures in the U.S. since 1994, shows promising potential to treat autism, following studies performed on mice.
According to a peer-reviewed paper published Tuesday in Molecular Psychiatry, scientists at Germany’s Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research found that Lamotrigine, (brand name known as Lamictal) curbed behavioral and social issues linked to autism.
Lamotrigine works by blocking sodium channels in the body, preventing the release of neurotransmitters that cause seizures. Close to two million people in the US were prescribed the drug in 2020, alone.
According to the CDC, autism affects 5.4 million adults and about one in 44 children. Known as the ‘switch off’ gene, MYT1L is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-associated transcription factor that is expressed in virtually all neurons throughout life.
Although scientists have yet to find the root cause of autism, they have come to a strong possible conclusion that it is likely a combination of both genetic and non-genetic factors.
Studies have shown that human and mouse neurons are affected similarly by MYT1L mutations. Associate professor of genetics and psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis Missouri, Joseph Dougherty, suggests that mice are a good model for studying the gene.
According to lead author of the study, Dr Moritz, “Apparently, drug treatment in adulthood can alleviate brain cell dysfunction and thus counteract the behavioral abnormalities typical of autism.”
Moritz added, “However, the results are still limited to studies in mice; clinical studies in patients with disorders from the ASD spectrum have not yet been conducted. The first clinical studies are in the early planning phase.”
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