Scientists reverse autism-like symptoms in mice

- The study (published in Molecular Psychiatry, by researchers at the University of Bonn and University Hospital Würzburg) focused on "neuritic spines" — tiny protrusions on nerve cells that receive signals from other cells. In many autism cases, these spines are abnormally shortened, reducing the brain's ability to communicate. - The team used a drug called "IFN-γ" (interferon gamma, a natural immune system protein) on mice bred to show autism-like traits. The treatment lengthened the shortened spines, and the mice's social deficits and repetitive behaviors improved — essentially reversing the symptoms. - This is far from a human treatment: mouse brains are not human brains, and IFN-γ is a powerful immune molecule that could cause serious side effects. But the result gives researchers a much clearer biological target to aim at, which is potentially significant for future drug development. - One well-known prior angle: for years, autism research has been split between genetic causes and environmental/immune factors. This study bridges that gap by showing that a specific immune signal (IFN-γ) directly affects the physical structure of nerve cells.