Persistent nerve pain and loss of bladder control often follow spinal-cord injury, and may be linked to reduced signalling by the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA.

For the study, the researchers examined levels of two brain chemicals: glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid, also known as GABA.

The Harvard University researchers found that autistic behavior is associated with a breakdown in the signaling pathway used by a major inhibitory neurotransmitter called GABA.