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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: gene expression

December 2020
Cells transporting NCKAP1 protein in and out of nucleus

Rare variants tied to neuronal migration, autism traits

by  /  4 December 2020

Many people with mutations in the NCKAP1 gene have autism or autism traits, according to a new study spanning seven countries.

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Brain images color-coded to show structural changes in autism.

Gene expression maps reveal origins of brain changes from autism mutations

by  /  4 December 2020

A new study pinpoints the genes and cell types that may underlie the atypical brain structure seen in people with genetic conditions linked to autism.

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stock image shows a color coded DNA sequence

Catalog details sex differences in gene expression, regulation

by  /  2 December 2020

Researchers expand a massive repository of data on gene activity in people to show differences between males and females.

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November 2020
Donna Werling portrait

Webinar: Donna Werling on gene-expression differences in the brains of autistic people

 /  18 November 2020

On 18 November, Donna Werling spoke about gene-expression patterns in the brains of autistic people, with an emphasis on neurobiology and sex differences.

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Micrograph of nerve cells being targeted by CRISPR enzyme to activate the silenced gene in Angelman syndrome

Prenatal CRISPR therapy blocks Angelman syndrome traits in mice

by  /  9 November 2020

A gene-editing treatment shows long-lasting effects in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome, a genetic condition related to autism.

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October 2020

Integrating molecular data may reveal subgroups of autism

by  /  30 October 2020

An analysis of four molecular datasets shows a distinct signature, including changes in gene expression and chemical DNA modifications, in some autism brains.

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Adolescent has cheek swabbed

Autism, intellectual disability linked to levels of fragile X protein

by  /  26 October 2020

People with particularly low levels of FMRP, the protein lacking in those with fragile X syndrome, are more likely to also have autism and severe intellectual disability.

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Gut neurons and glia (red, green) are fragile and interwoven with other cells (blue) in the colon, making them tricky to isolate.

Cell maps reveal diversity of neurons in gut

by  /  21 October 2020

An atlas that details gene expression in neurons and other cells from the intestines of mice and people may help to elucidate the link between gut problems and autism.

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Mother and child having a conversation in nature.

Traits in mothers may signal gene variants for autism

by  /  16 October 2020

Autistic children’s traits track with subtle, autism-like behaviors in their mothers; women with these traits may also carry a genetic predisposition to the condition.

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Ralf Schmid, the research director in Neurodevelopmental diseases at the Gene Therapy Program Orphan Disease Center, loads replicated mouse dna into wells in the gel before applying electric current to test the viability of the dna.

A quest for Quincy: Gene therapies come of age for some forms of autism

by ,  /  14 October 2020

A gene therapy for Angelman syndrome stands at the forefront of efforts to treat autism-linked conditions that stem from single genes.

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