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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: GABA

November 2011

Researchers map microRNAs in autism brains

by  /  17 November 2011

Researchers have charted the expression of tiny pieces of RNA in postmortem brain tissue from people with autism, according to unpublished research presented Tuesday at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

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Mouse lines light up the brain’s off switch

by  /  16 November 2011

Researchers have engineered 20 mouse lines that allow them to manipulate genes in specific neuronal circuits. The resource, reported 22 September in Neuron, will allow researchers to better explore the role of interneurons, which dampen signals in the brain, in mouse models of autism. 

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Neurexins present only in select neurons

by  /  15 November 2011

Neurexins, autism-linked proteins that organize synapses, the junctions between neurons, function in only a subset of cells in the brain, according to data presented in a poster Monday at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

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Different doses of Rett protein produce similar effects

by  /  15 November 2011

Mice that have an excess of the Rett syndrome protein MeCP2 have biochemical and neuronal characteristics that are strikingly similar to those of mice that completely lack the protein, according to unpublished research described Sunday at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

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Subset of Rett gene’s targets may lead to the disorder

by  /  14 November 2011

Deleting the Rett syndrome gene in a subset of neurons, instead of throughout the body, dramatically lowers the number of genes that are dysregulated in those neurons, according to results presented in a poster session Saturday at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

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Vision problems in Rett syndrome could serve as biomarker

by  /  13 November 2011

Mice missing the Rett syndrome gene MeCP2 show a gradual decline in vision, and too much inhibitory signaling in the visual cortex, according to unpublished research presented Thursday in Washington, D.C.

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Molecular mechanisms: Fragile X drugs could treat autism

by  /  1 November 2011

Postmortem brains from adults with autism have lower-than-normal levels of the fragile X mental retardation protein, which is missing in individuals with fragile X syndrome.

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October 2011

Researchers engineer light-responsive strains of mice

by  /  5 October 2011

Researchers have engineered four new mouse lines that each show activation of a different subset of neurons in response to a blue light.

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New mouse model mimics many symptoms of autism

by  /  3 October 2011

Mice lacking the autism-linked gene CNTNAP2 show many of the behaviors associated with the disorder, and exhibit brain circuit disruptions similar to those seen in people who carry mutations in the gene.

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September 2011

Cognition and behavior: Probiotics alleviate anxiety in mice

by  /  20 September 2011

Probiotic bacteria alleviate stress in healthy mice and modify the expression of receptors for a chemical messenger that inhibits signaling in the brain.

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