Autism Gene may Increase Risk of Addiction

Researchers from Harvard Medical School believe they have uncovered an autism gene that influences an individual's decision to engage in certain addictive behaviors.

"In our lab, we investigate the brain mechanisms behind drug addiction - a common and devastating disease with limited treatment options," said lead researcher Christopher Cowan, PhD, director of the Integrated Neurobiology Laboratory at McLean and an associate professor of Psychiatry at the school, via a press release. "Chronic exposure to drugs of abuse causes changes in the brain that could underlie the transition from casual drug use to addiction. By discovering the brain molecules that control the development of drug addiction, we hope to identify new treatment approaches."

Previous studies have shown that the fragile X mental retardation protein influences the development of addiction-related behaviors. Scientists also believe that it may explain how this protein is also what's missing in the Fragile X Syndrome. In other words, the fragile X mental retardation protein may trigger certain changes in the brain that involve addiction, particularly relating to cocaine exposure.

"We know that experiences are able to modify the brain in important ways. Some of these brain changes help us, by allowing us to learn and remember. Other changes are harmful, such as those that occur in individuals struggling with drug abuse," researchers added, via the release. "While FMRP allows individuals to learn and remember things in their environment properly, it also controls how the brain responds to cocaine and ends up strengthening drug behaviors. By better understanding FMRP's role in this process, we may someday be able to suggest effective therapeutic options to prevent or reverse these changes."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Neuron.