From CTSI Core Voucher Award to new insights in autism biology

Research supported in part by a UCLA CTSI Core Voucher award has led to new findings that may help advance understanding of autism-related brain changes. Published in Nature Communications, the UCLA-led study identified potential therapeutic targets that could inform future treatments for autism-related symptoms.

The research examined how inflammation during pregnancy affects brain development and behavior later in life. Using a mouse model, investigators found that offspring exposed to prenatal inflammation developed lasting changes in brain activity, sensory processing, and behavior that persisted into adulthood.

Researchers also discovered that a single dose of rapamycin temporarily improved several of these effects, including brain overactivity, seizure susceptibility, sensory sensitivity, repetitive behaviors, and abnormal brain network function. While rapamycin itself is unlikely to become a broadly used treatment because its effects were temporary and repeated dosing reduced its effectiveness, the findings provide important clues about the biological pathways underlying these symptoms.

The publication builds on earlier work supported by a UCLA CTSI Core Voucher award of approximately $10,000 to investigator Drs. Harley Kornblum and Janel Le Belle. The voucher funded animal MRI and behavioral testing through the Franz Hall core facility, helping generate data that advanced this line of investigation. 

Looking ahead, the team is focused on understanding why rapamycin was able to temporarily reverse some of the autism-like traits observed in the study. As senior author Dr. Harley Kornblum explained, “We are seeking to discover the mechanisms underlying the ability of rapamycin to temporarily correct some of the autism-like behaviors so that we can target these through novel therapeutics.” 

Read the full story in the UCLA Health Newsroom.