Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have presented new findings which suggest that symptoms of mental retardation can be improved via the use of medication.
By focusing on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a growth protein, researchers have learned that when abnormalities occur in the creation of this protein, mental retardation can occur. With these findings, Dr. Xu believes that medications can be created that can increase the transport of these BDNF growth proteins, and thus "treat" mental retardation.
Led by Baoji Xu, Ph.D., associate professor in the department of pharmacology, the findings were presented at the 39th annual meeting for the Society for Neuroscience.
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