Therefore, our novel data pointing to the upregulation (about 80%) of cerebellar mTOR mRNA in rats with ASD, which is demonstrably inhibited by EPO and zinc sulfate (Fig 3), align with previous reports demonstrating an increase in mTOR protein expression activity in various brain regions in animal models of ASD and other neurodegenerative diseases, protected by rapamycin. The gene discussed is EPO; the disease is neurodegenerative disease.