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Impaired Amino Acid Transport at the Blood Brain Barrier is a Cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder

The article shows that the solute carrier transporter 7a5, a big neutral amino acid transporter located at the blood brain barrier, is in charge of maintaining normal levels of brain BCAAs. For example, in mice, elimination of Slc7a5 from the endothelial cells of the BBB leads to an uncommon brain amino acid profile, severe neurological abnormalities, and abnormal mRNA translation. In addition, the author identified many patients with autistic characteristics and motor delay carrying deleterious homozygous changes in the SLC7A5 gene. At last the author shows that BCAA intracerebroventricular administration repairs abnormal behaviors in older mutant mice. The data reveals a neurological syndrome defined by SLC7A5 mutations and uphold a vital role for the BCAA in human brain function.

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