2006年VOA标准英语-Autism, A Little Understood Disorder May Have G

By Carol Pearson
Washington, DC
29 May 2006
 
watch Autism Gene¹ report

Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern have been able to genetically³ change mice so their behavior is similar to some people with autism.  The researchers hope their discovery will eventually lead to treatment for people with autism spectrum⁴ disorder⁵.

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Mice are genetically similar to people which is why geneticists such as Eric Lander study them. "We might think of ourselves as different than a mouse because we're so much bigger and we think we're so much smarter, but look inside, the organs are all the same." 

 

Professor Luis Parada   
  

Including the brain.  Researchers led by Professor Luis Parada at the University of Texas Southwestern have found that by deleting a gene called P-ten in certain parts of the mouse brain, they created mice that act like people with autism spectrum disorder, a range of disorders⁶ in which people have trouble with communication and social interaction:  they may not even look at people they are with.  They may also exhibit other strange behaviors: walking on their toes, and flapping their arms.

Professor Luis Parada directs the university's Center of Developmental Biology.  He says by genetically altering the mice, he got some of the same behavior as people who have autism. "The abnormal behaviors are based on the fact that mice are extremely social animals."

  
  
Mice are generally interested in other mice, but not mice whose P-ten gene has been deleted. Professor Parada says the genetically altered mice have other social deficits⁷. "If one gives mice in a box cotton material, they will quickly shred⁸ it and transform it into a three-dimensional nest and go and burrow⁹ under it.  When the mutant mice are given this nesting material they completely ignore it."

The genetically altered females also ignore their offspring.

"The P-ten mice they wouldn't let you pick them up. They're just really skittish¹⁰ just like autistic children are.  They don't like to be picked up."

Autism affects about one in every 250 people, yet little is known about this disorder or how to treat it which is why the genetic² research with mice is so important.

“It gives us at least a first clue as to where the mutations in the brain could result in deficits in social interaction." Professor Parada says the next step is to treat the genetically altered mice with drugs to see if it is possible to reverse the condition. The research might lead someday to a cure for autism spectrum disorder and similar genetic abnormalities in people.

VIDEO COURTESY: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN

1 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

2 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

3 genetically   

adv.遗传上

参考例句：

• All the bees in the colony are genetically related. 同一群体的蜜蜂都有亲缘关系。
• Genetically modified foods have already arrived on American dinner tables. 经基因改造加工过的食物已端上了美国人的餐桌。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 基因与食物

4 spectrum   

n.谱，光谱，频谱；范围，幅度，系列

参考例句：

• This is a kind of atomic spectrum.这是一种原子光谱。
• We have known much of the constitution of the solar spectrum.关于太阳光谱的构成，我们已了解不少。

5 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

6 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 deficits   

n.不足额( deficit的名词复数 )；赤字；亏空；亏损

参考例句：

• The Ministry of Finance consistently overestimated its budget deficits. 财政部一贯高估预算赤字。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Many of the world's farmers are also incurring economic deficits. 世界上许多农民还在遭受经济上的亏损。 来自辞典例句

8 shred   

v.撕成碎片，变成碎片；n.碎布条，细片，些少

参考例句：

• There is not a shred of truth in what he says.他说的全是骗人的鬼话。
• The food processor can shred all kinds of vegetables.这架食品加工机可将各种蔬菜切丝切条。

9 burrow   

vt.挖掘(洞穴)；钻进；vi.挖洞；翻寻；n.地洞

参考例句：

• Earthworms burrow deep into the subsoil.蚯蚓深深地钻进底土。
• The dog had chased a rabbit into its burrow.狗把兔子追进了洞穴。

10 skittish   

adj.易激动的，轻佻的

参考例句：

• She gets very skittish when her boy-friend is around.她男朋友在场时，她就显得格外轻佻。
• I won't have my son associating with skittish girls.我不准我的儿子与轻佻的女孩交往。