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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: interneurons

May 2021

Stimulant restores cell signaling, eases behavior issues in animals missing autism gene

by  /  28 May 2021

Worms and zebrafish missing both copies of the gene CHD7 have disrupted cellular signaling, a dearth of inhibitory neurons and behavior changes — all of which are reversed by the stimulant drug ephedrine.

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January 2021
Mouse on gray background looks at something out of frame.

Inability to attend to cues may cause sensory challenges in fragile X mice

by  /  14 January 2021

Sensory problems in people with fragile X syndrome may stem from hyperactive neurons, a mouse model study suggests.

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Mouse with her pup

Malfunctioning neurons mute sound processing in mouse model of Rett syndrome

by  /  14 January 2021

Female mice missing a copy of the autism-linked gene MECP2 in a specific set of inhibitory neurons have a hard time heeding pups’ calls and herding litters.

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March 2020
Close-up of mouse face and whiskers.

Sensory sensitivity in autistic people may stem from subset of neurons

by  /  27 March 2020

Mice missing an autism gene called SHANK3 tend to be hypersensitive to touch, which may stem from underactivity of neurons that normally dampen sensory responses.

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October 2019
a human brain model made of springs is shaking on its spring base

The link between epilepsy and autism, explained

by  /  21 October 2019

Autism and epileptic seizures often go hand in hand. What explains the overlap, and what does it reveal about autism’s origins?

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Neurons in a mouse brain are highlighted green and yellow

Autism gene’s loss hampers neurons’ trek through developing brain

by  /  21 October 2019

Deleting an autism gene called TRIO derails neurons’ journey to their destination.

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Transplanted neurons rescue social behavior but not brain circuits

by  /  20 October 2019

Injecting cells called interneurons into the brains of a mouse model of autism restores typical social behavior. But the reason for this effect is a puzzle.

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May 2019

The signaling imbalance theory of autism, explained

by  /  1 May 2019

The signaling imbalance theory holds that the brains of autistic people are hyper-excitable because of either excess neuronal activity or weak brakes on that activity.

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November 2018
Delicate network of neurons and synapses.

Webbing around neurons altered in autism mouse models

by  /  8 November 2018

Lattice-like structures that surround neurons may be overly abundant — or scarce — in brain regions of three autism mouse models.

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Neurons glow green in mice brain.

Loss of autism gene alters landscape of inhibitory brain signals

by  /  6 November 2018

Mice lacking one copy of a leading autism gene have hyperexcitable brains and problems with learning and memory.

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