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Purkinje Grafts: How long a wait?

Hesketh J Christian 4jch3 at qlink.queensu.ca
Fri May 3 07:09:03 EST 1996


RA Jensen (103111.2057 at CompuServe.COM) wrote:
: Janet;
: I have often posed this question myself. As you probably already 
: know there have been a number of experiments where normal 
: cerebellar tissue has been transplanted into the cerebellum of 
: the 'Weaver' mutant mouse producing an improvement in motor 
: behavior. In autism, a severe developmental disorder, two 
: independant autopsy studies conducted at Boston Hospital and at 
: UCLA have reported early Purkinje neuron loss in 100% of cases. 
: There are now sixteen autopsy and MRI studies published by nine 
: independant research groups throughout the world that have now 
: reported early cerebellar damage (Purkinje neuron loss) in 240 
: cases of autism. There is no cure for autism therefore why should 
: not the neuroscientists begin this debate now. I know that in 
: Parkinson's disease there have been some excellent studies 
: showing improvement in some cases after transplantation of fetal 
: neurons from the substantia nigra, thus human experiments 
: involving disorders of the cerebellum, including autism, is 
: certainly ready for an open discussion. Thanks for raising this 
: important issue.
: Bob Jensen (not a neuroscientist)

The idea of brain grafts is fascinating, however, in the case of autism 
what role does the cerebellum play?  I can see with the stereotyped 
behavior, a poorly developed cerebellum may unlock a latent motor pattern 
such as stereotyped movements (repetetive motor activities).  However, in 
regards to social withdrawal, lack of communication etc . . . I cannot 
see a link between the cerebellum and these grossly impaired behaviors in 
autistic children.  The cerebellum is primarily an instrument of muscle 
coordination, posture and balance, coordinating many muscle groups into 
fixed action patterns.  It sculpts actions by removing irrelevancies.  
	Perhaps one should look further into the basal ganglia, limbic 
system or frontal lobe.  Does anyone else have any opinions or theories 
as to the brain structures involved in autism?

Cheers,

J. Christian Hesketh - Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario




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