Estrogens alleviate hyperactivity in ‘autistic’ zebrafishThe female sex hormone

Estrogens alleviate hyperactivity in ‘autistic’ zebrafishThe female sex hormone estrogen reduces sleep disruption in zebrafish genetically designed to help understand autism spectrum disorder (ASD) scientists have discovered.Researchers from the University College London In collaboration with scientists at Yale University and University of California, San Francisco, were investigating the function of genes linked to autism and seizures in humans by using zebrafish as a model system. They unexpectedly discovered that estrogens calm hyperactive fish during the night, which will help scientists to understand the brain pathways affected in ASD. The finding is intriguing given ASD is four times more common in men than women. All humans produce estrogen, but levels are significantly higher in women than men. These images show zebrafish brains, with axon tracts, neurons and interneurons tagged in different colours.This research helps scientists to understand the function of an autism risk gene in the developing brain, which is important for understanding the biology of autism.Images: Kate Turner,  UCLRead more -- source link

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