Scientists discover a brain signal that may trigger autism’s domino effect

Researchers have uncovered a surprising molecular chain reaction in the brain that may play a role in some forms of autism. The study suggests that nitric oxide, a tiny signaling molecule normally involved in fine-tuning communication between brain cells, can sometimes trigger a cascade of changes inside neurons. When nitric oxide activity rises, it can alter a protective protein called TSC2, weakening an important cellular brake and allowing the mTOR pathway, which controls growth and protein production, to become overactive. When nitric oxide triggers this chain of events, an important protective protein called TSC2 begins to disappear. TSC2 normally helps regulate a major cellular control system known as mTOR, which manages processes such as cell growth and protein prod... [5237 chars]