Possible role of miR-980 in ASD

Photo: Boreio Selas/Flickr

• ASD stands for 'autism spectrum disorder'
• Drosophila, fruit fly, human memory studies substitute
• Researchers identified memory supressor (miR-980) linked to neuropsychiatric disorders (like ASD)
  • MiR-980 (a microRNA) regulates neuronal excitability (firing)
• Findings suggest reduced miR-980 levels, better memory acquisition and stability in Drosophila
• Study uncovered possible 95 genes, including A2bp1, which:
  • Increases susceptibility to autism (and promotes memory)
  • When over expressed it improved memory
• Significance: may help discover other nervous system dysfunctions
• Published in Cell Reports