Blocking nitric oxide, a common brain gas, reverses autism-like traits in mice. Treating human nerve cells with nitric oxide blocker produced a similar result. In addition, samples from autistic children contained much lower levels of the TSC2 brake protein that blocks nitric oxide.

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of autism research, finding that blocking nitric oxide, a common brain gas, can reverse autism-like traits in mice. Furthermore, experiments on human nerve cells yielded similar results, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for the condition. Notably, samples from autistic children contained lower levels of the TSC2 brake protein, which normally regulates nitric oxide levels, implying a potential link between this protein and autism. These findings may pave the way for novel treatments targeting the nitric oxide pathway in autism.