Autism traits significantly reduced in gene-editing trials

♦a♦tism traits may be “edited” out using new genetic techniques, scientists have claimed.

Researchers significantly reduced repetitive behaviour associated with the disorder in a successful trial on mice.

The technique could also be developed to treat conditions ranging from drug addiction and neuropathic pain to schizophrenia and epilepsy.

Scientists in the US introduced the edited DNA to the mice using gold particles in contrast to previous failed attempts using viruses.

It resulted in a 30 per cent drop in repetitive digging and a 70 per cent reduction in leaping – both indicative of autistic behaviour in mice.

Study leader Hye Young Lee of the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio said: “This is the first case where we were able to edit a causal gene for autism in the brain and show rescue of the behavioural symptoms.”