Fruit fly findings help autism project

FRUIT FLIES were used in a study which could lead to new treatments to help people with autism cope with distress caused by bright lights and loud noises.

Scientists at the University of York compared how adults and children with the condition responded to bright and noisy conditions.

People who took part in the project were asked to look at flickering patterns on a computer screen. Scientists found differences in the way neurons in the brains of adults and children responded to different flickering frequencies.

The different responses were also mimicked by a strain of genetically-modified fruit flies used in the study.

The researchers said their findings showed that fruit flies could be used to test future treatments.

Dr Daniel Baker, from the University of York’s Department of Psychology, said: “Some neurons in the visual parts of the brain fired at the same frequency as the flickering patterns – at five times per second for example – while other types of neurons responded at twice this frequency.

“In adults with autism, and in our mature mutant flies, we found a reduction in brain activity at this higher frequency.

“In children, and in juvenile flies, responses were lower at both frequencies.”

The findings, which came from a collaboration between York academics and Stanford University in California, will help scientists understand genetic changes associated with autism.

Dr Chris Elliott, from the University of York’s Department of Biology, said: “It is possible that in future the fruit fly model could be used to test potential treatments to alleviate some of the sensory difficulties experienced by people with autism.”

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