Skip to main content

Spectrum: Autism Research News

Author

Katie Moisse

Contributing editor

Katie Moisse is contributing editor and former news editor at Spectrum.  She teaches science communication at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She has a Ph.D. in neuropathology from the University of Western Ontario and an M.S. in journalism from Columbia University.

Contact Info

[email protected]

November 2014

Mutation boosts paternal age’s autism-like effects in mice

by  /  19 November 2014

Mice born to older males with mutations in PAX6 — a gene involved in brain development — vocalize less than those with younger dads. The unpublished findings, presented today at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C., suggest how genes and paternal age can work together to trigger symptoms.

Comments

Autism-linked gene guides growth of subtype of neurons

by  /  19 November 2014

Mice missing PTEN, a strong autism candidate gene, in a subtype of inhibitory neurons in one part of the brain show signaling abnormalities and social deficits. Researchers presented the unpublished work yesterday at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Comments

Strep infection in pregnant rats causes autism features in pups

by  /  18 November 2014

Infection with group B streptococcus bacteria in pregnant rats triggers brain abnormalities and autism-like behaviors in their pups — especially in males. Researchers presented the unpublished results today at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Comments

Growth factor rescues neurons made from boys with Rett

by  /  18 November 2014

Neurons derived from the skin cells of boys with Rett syndrome can help screen potential treatments for the disorder, suggest unpublished results presented yesterday at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Comments

New tool lays out links between genes, mice, behavior

by  /  17 November 2014

A new database bridges the gap between candidate genes identified by sequencing studies and mouse models that can help reveal the genes’ role in various disorders. Researchers presented the tool today at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Comments

Non-starring cells may be key in fragile X syndrome

by  /  17 November 2014

Mice missing the FMR1 gene only in star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes recapitulate key features of fragile X syndrome. Researchers presented the unpublished results today at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Comments

Treatment prevents autism-like symptoms in ‘teenage’ mice

by  /  16 November 2014

A treatment that targets the genetic defect in tuberous sclerosis prevents autism-like symptoms in mice at 6 weeks of age — the mouse equivalent of adolescence. Researchers presented the unpublished results yesterday at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
 

Comments

Autism-linked genetic region affects size of brain structures

by  /  16 November 2014

Deletion or duplication of 7q11.23, a chromosomal region linked to Williams syndrome and autism, alters the size of several brain structures, according to unpublished results presented Sunday at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Comments

Social language lapses hint at syndrome distinct from autism

by  /  4 November 2014

Some siblings of children with autism have social language impairments that may signal another, more controversial disorder.

Comments
October 2014

Autism symptoms occur independently in general population

by  /  31 October 2014

Adults in the general population fall into two clusters, each characterized by a subset of autism-like symptoms: social deficits and a fixation on details.

Comments