Movement Impairments In Autistic Children Can Be Reversed

Recent research has found a link between a genetic mutation and developmental movement impairments in autism. Providing movement therapy at a young age could help reverse motor impairments in the future.

A link between a genetic mutation and developmental movement impairments in autism has been found out. Mutation in the CYFIP1 gene causes changes in the development of brain cells thereby leading to motor issues in autistic children. Children would face difficulty in motor learning at a young age, and this could be reversed through behavioral training.//

Dr Stéphane Baudouin, Cardiff University's School of Biosciences, said: "People with autism tend to experience difficulties in social interaction, communication and repetitive behaviors. As well as this, movement disorders, such as issues with posture, motor planning and coordination, are common.

Autism Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder typically characterized by impaired social and communication skills combined with repetitive movements.

‘Early intervention of providing movement therapy at a young age when autism is diagnosed, could prevent motor impairments in later stages of life.’

"We know that the mutation of the CYFIP1 gene is associated with genetic forms of autism spectrum disorders, but we wanted to understand if this specific genetic mutation is involved in the movement-related issues associated with autism, and if so, how it's involved.

"Previous research suggested that this CYFIP1 mutation effects the structural stability of brain cells. Our study has built on this research and is the first to prove this is true."

The team found that the mutation in the CYFIP1 gene affected the formation of the spines of brain cells, causing them to become unstable - which led to the motor issues that occur during development in autism.

Chelation Therapy - Benefits, Side Effects & Health Tips
The process of removing heavy metals from the body is known as Chelation Therapy. Learn more about the medical procedure of chelation therapy.

Through early intervention with movement therapies, they believe that movement impairments could be lessened.

"Our results found that the motor learning difficulties occurred at a young age, but are reversible through behavioral training," commented Dr Baudouin.