'Autism-like' traits reversed in hours with one dose of drug

Scientists say it points to new possibilities.04:11, 30 Jul 2026Researchers have successfully used a drug to reverse "autism-like brain changes" within a matter of hours. UCLA Health, a prominent American hospital, reports that its latest study "suggests that some autism-related brain changes may still be treatable in adulthood". It is important to note, however, that the research was carried out on mice and that the drug's effects were temporary.‌The study published in the journal Nature Communications subjected mice to inflammation triggers during pregnancy and discovered that their offspring developed lasting autism-like changes to both brain function and behaviour, "suggesting that early inflammation can disrupt brain development in ways that persist into adulthood".‌A single dose of t