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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: epigenetics

August 2019
Spiral DNA against a dark background

Patterns of DNA tags mark candidate genes for autism

by  /  15 August 2019

Children with autism who carry mutations in the chromosomal region 16p11.2 or the gene CHD8 — two of the leading risk factors for autism — show distinct patterns of chemical tags on their DNA.

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July 2019
Orange patterns are created from chemical tags in brain tissue from people with autism.

Different forms of autism may share pattern of chemical tags on DNA

by  /  22 July 2019

Brain tissues from people with autism of unknown cause and from people with either of two genetic forms of the condition all show similar patterns of methyl groups on DNA.

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March 2019

Does vitamin use in pregnancy alter autism risk? Maybe, maybe not

by  /  4 March 2019

Despite the hype around a new study, it may be too soon to conclude that taking prenatal vitamins during pregnancy lowers the child’s chances of autism.

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February 2019

Drugs that modify gene expression show promise for autism

by  /  28 February 2019

An experimental compound that blocks two enzymes involved in gene expression improves social behavior in young mice.

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January 2019

Revelando los secretos del síndrome X frágil en Colombia

by  /  31 January 2019

Una remota ciudad colombiana es el hogar del grupo más grande de personas con síndrome de X frágil. Los científicos están aprendiendo de ellos y tratando de ayudar.

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December 2018
Siblings, a baby and a toddler, play together at home.

How pregnancy may shape a child’s autism

by  /  5 December 2018

Autism is predominantly genetic in origin, but a growing list of prenatal exposures for mother and baby may sway the odds.

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November 2018
Artistic interpretation of a neuron in the hippocampus.

Subset of neurons may underlie brain’s response to experience

by  /  7 November 2018

Experiences may shape the human brain by altering neurons that boost brain activity.

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October 2018

Rapid method connects DNA shape to gene activity in cells

by  /  12 October 2018

A new technique reveals the active genes and the regions that regulate them in thousands of single cells at once.

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Juan Pablo Quintero, Sara Quintero, Soledad Quintero, Rosario Quintero, Yeison Quintero, pose for a group portrait in Ricaurte, Valle del Cauca, on July 28, 2018.

Unlocking the secrets of fragile X in Colombia

by  /  10 October 2018

A remote Colombian town is home to the world’s largest cluster of people with fragile X syndrome. Scientists are learning from them — and trying to help.

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September 2018

Webinar: Janine LaSalle describes gene-environment interactions in autism

 /  19 September 2018

Watch the complete replay of Janine LaSalle discussing gene-environment interactions and autism.

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