Hyperthermia elevates brain temperature and improves behavioural signs in animal models of autism spectrum disorder.
Ana Belen Lopez-Rodriguez, Carol L Murray, John Kealy and 6 others
PMID 37968722WHAT IT FOUND
In mice, raising body temperature to fever levels without inflammation reduced repetitive behaviors and improved social interaction.
This is not a treatment for humans. The authors state hyperthermia is not a viable therapeutic strategy.
Key findings
01Whole-body hyperthermia reduced repetitive behaviors like backflips and grooming in two different mouse models of autism.
02Hyperthermia improved social interaction in one mouse model, but did not improve it in the other.
03The authors explicitly state that hyperthermia is not a viable therapeutic strategy for humans with autism.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
The study was conducted entirely in mice. Human physiology and behavior are significantly different. The authors state hyperthermia is not a viable treatment for humans due to safety and practicality. Behavioral assessments were only conducted up to 48 hours, so long-term effects or harms are unknown. The molecular mechanisms behind the observed behavioral changes were not fully explained. Results varied between the two mouse models, suggesting the effect may depend on the specific genetic cause of autism-like symptoms.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the Simons Foundation. No other conflicts of interest were reported.
The easy way to misread this
Do not attempt to induce fever or hyperthermia in patients. This is an animal study exploring mechanisms, not a treatment trial. The authors explicitly warn that hyperthermia is not a viable therapeutic strategy for humans.