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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Author

Michael Fergenson

Former Engagement Editor

Michael Fergensen was Spectrum’s engagement editor from 2022 to 2023. He was responsible for bringing Spectrum‘s award-winning content into the conversation on social media, producing webinars, and other efforts to engage with autism researchers and clinicians. Previously, Michael was social media manager at MedPage Today and, before that, an editorial assistant at Bearport Publishing. He holds a B.A. in English from SUNY Albany and a B.A. in teaching English from Brooklyn College.

September 2023
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Neural recordings in freely moving mice; MBD5 variant

by  /  10 September 2023

Researchers took to social media to discuss a new tool for recording brain activity in freely moving mice and a study linking a mutation in the gene MBD5 to epilepsy and intellectual disability. That and more in this week’s Community Newsletter.

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Neuropixels probe; sex differences in brain anatomy

by  /  3 September 2023

Researchers on social media reacted to a new version of the Neuropixels probe and a study of sex differences in the brain. That and more in this week’s Community Newsletter.

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August 2023
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Cerebral cortex genetics; calcium imaging of astrocytes

by  /  27 August 2023

This week on social media, researchers discussed a genome-wide association study of the human cerebral cortex, how astrocytes integrate calcium signals, and more.

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Mitochondria and anxiety; brain structure in autism

by  /  20 August 2023

Researchers reacted to a study of brain mitochondria and behavior in mice and a study of brain structure differences in autism and other conditions. That and more in this week’s Community Newsletter.

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Cognitive mapping; PTEN in peripheral nerves

by  /  13 August 2023

Researchers took to social media to discuss how cognitive maps form during learning. There was also talk about a study of peripheral nerves in mice missing PTEN, an autism-linked gene. That and more in this week’s Community Newsletter.

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NeuroDev retrospective; repetitive behaviors in fragile X mice

by  /  6 August 2023

A look back at NeuroDev’s first year gathering genomic and phenotypic data in Kenya and South Africa and a study on an underlying cause of repetitive behaviors in fragile X model mice absorbed researchers’ attention on social media this week. That and more in this week’s Community Newsletter.

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July 2023
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Sensory traits in fragile X; epidurals and autism

by  /  30 July 2023

This week on social media, researchers discussed research on sensory issues in fragile X mice, and they considered yet another study of epidurals and autism. That and more in this week’s Community Newsletter.

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Stress response in neurons; quantitative bioimaging tutorial

by  /  23 July 2023

Researchers discussed a study of the integrated stress response in fragile X syndrome and a new how-to guide for quantitative bioimaging — plus more in this week’s Community Newsletter.

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‘wildDISCO’ whole-mouse mapping; high-resolution imaging of living brain tissue

by  /  16 July 2023

A new technique to map the entire body of a mouse and a high-resolution 4D imaging method for living brain tissue samples piqued researchers’ interest on social media this week — that and more in this issue of Community Newsletter.

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Community Newsletter: Neuroimaging study size; fragile X RNA

by  /  9 July 2023

This week on social media, researchers discussed sample size in neuroimaging studies and the potential of antisense oligonucleotides to restore the protein lost in fragile X syndrome.

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