Two-Hour Reversal of Autism-Like Traits in Mice Points to Circuit-Level Therapies

In a mouse model of maternal immune activation, a single dose of rapamycin rapidly normalized neuronal activity, reduced seizure susceptibility, improved brain network connectivity, and lessened autism-like behaviors within about two hours. Since this window is too short for structural brain changes, the results reveal adult functional plasticity and point to therapeutic targets in mTOR signaling, neuronal excitation balance, and sensory circuits—though rapamycin itself is not suitable for humans due to toxicity and tolerance, guiding safer circuit-focused approaches.