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Spectrum Autism Research News

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Your latest update from Spectrum, the leading source of news and expert opinion on autism research. Read more: spectrumnews.org

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843 episodes

African genetics study NeuroDev shares initial findings

The most comprehensive study of neurodevelopmental conditions in Kenya and South Africa ever conducted shares preliminary results and lessons.

7m
Mar 24
FDA approval of trofinetide may spur further drug development for Rett

The drug, welcomed by patients, might be just the first of many.

7m
Mar 21
Wiring map reveals how larval fruit fly brain converts sensory signals to movement

The map diagrams more than half a million neuronal connections in the first complete connectome of Drosophila and holds clues about which brain architectures best support learning.

5m
Mar 20
To repair DNA, neurons harness autism-linked proteins

The proteins are part of a newly discovered complex that mends genetic damage exclusively in neurons.

5m
Mar 17
Spectrum Launch: How early-career researchers can use ChatGPT to boost productivity

The new tool may pose challenges for the scientific community, but used wisely, it can help researchers save time and resources.

3m
Mar 15
New journals seek to fill neurodiversity gap

The two journals, although differing in initial support, both realized the need for a publication focused exclusively on the neurodiverse experience.

42m
Mar 08
Autism-linked MYT1L mutations prompt ‘identity crisis’ in budding brain cells

Both human and mouse progenitor cells with the alterations struggle to become neurons and instead express genes that are typically active only in muscle or the heart. The post Autism-linked MYT1L mutations prompt ‘identity crisis’ in budding brain cells appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

5m
Mar 01
Epigenome edits unmute MECP2 in Rett-like neurons

The approach removes methyl tags from the gene and shields it from other silencing factors without changing the gene itself, raising hopes for a new treatment. The post Epigenome edits unmute MECP2 in Rett-like neurons appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

5m
Feb 27
Neurons struggle to spike without fragile X gene

FMR1 loss impairs sodium channels, hindering mouse neurons from generating the electrical signals needed to transmit information. The post Neurons struggle to spike without fragile X gene appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

3m
Feb 24
Biotech downturn hurts companies targeting autism-linked conditions

After a year of intense growth, funding for biotech is in decline. The result is layoffs and program cuts — and maybe some innovation.

7m
Feb 23
Fishing for protein partners nets clues to autism

Connections between 13 autism-linked proteins and their binding partners in excitatory neurons implicate a new molecular pathway. The post Fishing for protein partners nets clues to autism appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

5m
Feb 22
People’s perceptions of ‘social’ animations don’t always square with researchers’ labels

The finding calls into question differences between autistic and non-autistic people on a decades-old theory-of-mind test involving interacting geometric shapes.

6m
Feb 22
Dietary changes ease traits in rare autism-linked condition

Early treatment with nutritional supplements and a high-protein diet forestalls some neurodevelopmental problems for children with BCKDK deficiency.

4m
Feb 21
Chromatin remodeling tied to altered splicing in autism model

Exposing neurons to valproic acid, a well-known environmental risk factor for autism, disrupts their ability to generate different proteins from the same gene. The post Chromatin remodeling tied to altered splicing in autism model appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

5m
Feb 20
Autism-linked chromatin regulators may moonlight as microtubule influencers

Five autism-linked genes widely known as chromatin regulators appear to also shape the cell’s internal skeleton. The post Autism-linked chromatin regulators may moonlight as microtubule influencers appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

4m
Feb 17
Neurons struggle to spike without fragile X gene

FMR1 loss impairs sodium channels, hindering mouse neurons from generating the electrical signals needed to transmit information.

3m
Feb 17
Epigenome edits unmute MECP2 in Rett-like neurons

The approach removes methyl tags from the gene and shields it from other silencing factors without changing the gene itself, raising hopes for a new treatment.

5m
Feb 16
Head motion mars most fMRI results, even after correction

A new measure shows how greatly movement influences associations between traits and brain activity, revealing abundant false positives and false negatives. The post Head motion mars most fMRI results, even after correction appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

7m
Feb 15
Autism-linked MYT1L mutations prompt ‘identity crisis’ in budding brain cells

Both human and mouse progenitor cells with the alterations struggle to become neurons and instead express genes that are typically active only in muscle or the heart.

5m
Feb 14
Prolific autism researcher has two dozen papers retracted

Elsevier’s retractions focus on peer review and conflicts of interest. The post Prolific autism researcher has two dozen papers retracted appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

7m
Feb 13
CHD8 mutation in 33 mouse strains yields range of traits

The findings put genetic background forward to help explain autism’s heterogeneity. The post CHD8 mutation in 33 mouse strains yields range of traits appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

6m
Feb 10
Racial, economic disparities skew New Jersey data on autism, intellectual disability

Serious differences in autism identification persist, according to an analysis of autistic children in New Jersey over 16 years. The post Racial, economic disparities skew New Jersey data on autism, intellectual disability appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

6m
Feb 08
Autism-linked chromatin regulators may moonlight as microtubule influencers

Five autism-linked genes widely known as chromatin regulators appear to also shape the cell’s internal skeleton.

4m
Feb 08
Chromatin remodeling tied to altered splicing in autism model

Exposing neurons to valproic acid, a well-known environmental risk factor for autism, disrupts their ability to generate different proteins from the same gene.

5m
Feb 07
‘Mind-blowing’ study upends conventional wisdom on oxytocin

CRISPR-edited prairie voles that lack receptors for the so-called “social hormone” still bond with their mate and pups, raising questions about the molecule’s role. The post ‘Mind-blowing’ study upends conventional wisdom on oxytocin appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

7m
Feb 06
Fishing for protein partners nets clues to autism

Connections between 13 autism-linked proteins and their binding partners in excitatory neurons implicate a new molecular pathway.

5m
Feb 06
Decisional capacity and informed consent, explained

To include more autistic people in research, here's what scientists need to know about informed consent procedures for study participants who have impaired decision-making capacity. The post Decisional capacity and informed consent, explained appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

8m
Feb 03
CHD8 mutation in 33 mouse strains yields range of traits

The findings put genetic background forward to help explain autism’s heterogeneity.

6m
Feb 03
Prolific autism researcher has two dozen papers retracted

Elsevier’s retractions focus on peer review and conflicts of interest.

7m
Feb 02
Mutations in autism-linked gene cause membrane mischief

Inactivating TAOK1 prompts tentacle-like protrusions to form all over a neuron’s surface, revealing the gene’s role in molding the membrane. The post Mutations in autism-linked gene cause membrane mischief appeared first on Spectrum | Autism Research News.

5m
Feb 01