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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Author

Holly Barker

Holly Barker is a freelance writer specializing in biology, medicine and psychology. She has a Ph.D. in clinical neuroscience from King’s College London in the United Kingdom and a B.Sc. degree in biochemistry from the University of Manchester. She has previously written for Discover and BioNews. She is based in London.

January 2024

Top autism-linked genes join forces to shape synaptic plasticity

by  /  29 January 2024

The protein products of ANK2 and SCN2A interact to regulate dendritic excitability.

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Two hands hold a mouse.

Noisy brain may underlie some of autism’s sensory features

by  /  18 January 2024

Random fluctuations in neuronal activity are more variable in a fragile X mouse model than in wildtype mice.

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December 2023
Research image of microglia in mice.

Microglial overreaction to atypical neurons may drive autism

by  /  7 December 2023

In mice and organoids lacking a neuronal protein, microglia prune synapses to excess.

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October 2023
A research image of a mouse running on a wheel

New specs immerse mice in virtual worlds

by  /  16 October 2023

The tool — called “MouseGoggles” — could provide rodents with an improved virtual experience in the lab, at a lower cost than current techniques.

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Research image of mutations in mouse cortical neurons.

Mutations in multipurpose gene deal dendrites a double whammy

by  /  4 October 2023

The mutations disrupt protein translation as well as the cell’s skeleton, according to a new study.

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September 2023
Research image of neurons in mice.

Skewed signaling in striatum may spawn repetitive behaviors

by  /  6 September 2023

Synaptic changes in the brain region could drive a core trait of fragile X syndrome, a new mouse study suggests.

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August 2023
Research images of protein synthesis in mice.

Neuronal deafness to stress may add to protein surplus in fragile X

by  /  29 August 2023

A protective pathway that pauses protein synthesis is muted in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, according to a new study.

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Position heatmaps of mice performing a behavioral assay.

New test taps nose pokes as a proxy for social motivation in mice

by  /  10 August 2023

Over one hour, a particularly motivated mouse poked its nose 350 times into a hole in the test chamber in the hopes of meeting a playmate.

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Still image from a video of a mouse maneuvering a robot around a maze while imaging tools capture neuronal activity in its cortex.

Robotic headgear records brain activity in moving mice

by  /  3 August 2023

The tool could help researchers study the neurobiology of natural behaviors, scientists say.

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July 2023

Repurposed electronics lens spies neurons across entire mouse brain

by  /  14 July 2023

When combined with tissue-inflation methods, the microscope can image axons without the need for tissue slicing, the researchers say.

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