UCLA Health领导的研究发现，孕期炎症暴露会导致后代出现自闭症样的脑部和行为异常[1]。一项关键发现是，单剂次免疫抑制药物雷帕霉素能在约两小时内显著改善这些变化[1]。改善涵盖多个方面，包括脑信号异常、癫痫易感性、感觉过敏性、重复行为以及脑功能网络组织异常[1]。该研究成果已发表于《自然通讯》期刊[1]。
不过这一疗效存在局限性。药物产生的改善效果是暂时性的，在每日给药数周后产生耐受性[1]。研究团队成员Dr. Harley Kornblum表示，"成年脑可能比我们假设的更具适应性"[1]。Dr. Janel Le Belle进一步指出，"如果成年脑保持功能正常化的能力，某些自闭症特征可能无需纠正基础结构差异就能成功解决"[1]。这项研究提示，某些自闭症相关脑部变化在成年期仍可能通过靶向功能回路而非结构修复来治疗[1]。研究在小鼠中进行，不适合直接用于人类治疗[1]。
Researchers at UCLA Health have demonstrated that a single dose of the immunosuppressant drug rapamycin can reverse autism-like brain and behavioral alterations in adult mice within approximately two hours.[1] The study, which examined mice exposed to prenatal inflammation, found that the medication significantly improved abnormal brain signaling, seizure susceptibility, sensory hypersensitivity, repetitive behaviors, and disrupted brain functional network organization.[1]
However, the therapeutic effects proved temporary, with tolerance developing after several weeks of daily administration.[1] The findings were published in Nature Communications and suggest that certain autism-related brain changes in adulthood may be treatable through interventions targeting functional circuits rather than correcting underlying structural differences.[1]
Dr. Harley Kornblum remarked that "the adult brain may be more adaptable than we have assumed," while Dr. Janel Le Belle noted that "if the adult brain retains the ability to normalize function, some autism characteristics might be successfully addressed without correcting the underlying structural differences."[1]
Researchers cautioned that the study was conducted in mice and is not directly applicable to human therapeutic treatment.[1]