Specializing in neurological research, Assistant Professor, Dr. Yi-Mei (Amy) Yang along with her research team in the Yang Laboratory, recently published their latest findings in the spring issue of the Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology on effective strategies for potential therapies of autism titled, “Targeting inhibitory cerebellar circuitry to alleviate behavioral deficits in a mouse model for studying idiopathic autism.”

Autism is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with limited treatment. To find innovative solutions, using a mouse model for autism, the Yang Laboratory recently revealed abnormal neuronal excitability in the cerebellum. More importantly, selective restoration of the cerebellar activity by pharmacological and chemogenetic approaches alleviated key autistic-like behaviors of the animal model. These findings highlight complex mechanisms underlying cerebellar dysfunction and provide effective strategies for potential therapies of autism.

Neuropsychopharmacol. 45, 1159–1170 (2020)

Chao, O.Y., Marron Fernandez de Velasco, E., Pathak, S.S. et al. Targeting inhibitory cerebellar circuitry to alleviate behavioral deficits in a mouse model for studying idiopathic autism. Neuropsychopharmacol. 45, 1159–1170 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-0656-5