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Spectrum: Autism Research News

News Archive

October 2012

Prenatal antibodies boost brain stem cells in mice

by  /  18 October 2012

Prenatal exposure to antibodies collected from the mothers of children with autism boosts stem cell proliferation in the brains of mice, according to two studies presented at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

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Stem cell study identifies early issues in Rett syndrome

by  /  17 October 2012

Neural stem cells derived from people with Rett syndrome show early signs of dysfunction, according to unpublished research presented at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting.

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Video: The importance of listening with the eyes

by  /  17 October 2012

Eyes and ears work together to help us communicate with others. In a video interview with SFARI.org, Sophie Molholm explains that this process goes awry in children with autism.

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SHANK3 mice comparisons reveal array of differences

by  /  17 October 2012

Different mutations in the autism-linked SHANK3 gene lead to distinct glitches at the synapse, the junction between neurons, according to unpublished research presented Tuesday at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

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New test probes real-world aspects of theory of mind

by  /  17 October 2012

A new way to evaluate theory of mind, the ability to imagine what others are thinking or feeling, shows promise for teasing apart the different aspects of this complex mental process, according to a poster presented Tuesday at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

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Video: Playing with light to manipulate the brain

by  /  17 October 2012

In a video interview at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, Edward Boyden discusses new tools his lab is developing to refine optogenetics techniques.

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Social molecule disrupted in autism mouse model

by  /  17 October 2012

Mice missing the autism-linked gene CNTNAP2 have broad defects in their oxytocin system, according to research presented Tuesday at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans. Treatment with oxytocin alleviates social deficits in these mice.

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Response to biological motion may predict autism

by  /  17 October 2012

The brain’s response to biological motion can distinguish typically developing children from those who have a sibling with autism but do not have the disorder themselves, according to research presented at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

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Statin pills in a blisterpack on a couch.

Cholesterol drug may treat fragile X syndrome

by  /  17 October 2012

A cholesterol-lowering drug called lovastatin prevents seizures in mice that model fragile X syndrome, according to a poster presented Sunday at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

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Fragile X rats have trouble learning speech sounds

by  /  17 October 2012

Rats lacking FMR1, the gene mutated in people with fragile X syndrome, do not learn to discriminate between human speech sounds like control rats do, according to research presented Monday evening at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

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