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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: ion channels

January 2020

Artificial neurons may repair damaged cells and circuits

by  /  17 January 2020

Electronic neurons made from silicon mimic brain cells and could be used to treat conditions such as autism.

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May 2019
Child with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome seated in a red wagon outside.

Pitt-Hopkins syndrome may point the way to autism treatments

by ,  /  1 May 2019

Researchers have identified a drug that works in individual cells and rodent models of a form of autism known as Pitt-Hopkins syndrome.

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September 2018
Mouse brain photograph shows the area of drug delivery highlighted in red.

Brain implant mutes seizure-like activity in mice

by  /  28 September 2018

A new brain implant pumps chemical signals directly into a target region to ease seizure-like activity in mice.

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April 2018
child with brain scan test

Top autism gene may alter sensory perception

by  /  16 April 2018

An unusual brain response to sound may distinguish children with mutations in SCN2A, a leading candidate gene for autism.

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June 2017

In race to crack autism’s code, two contenders shoot ahead

by  /  27 June 2017

Two candidate genes have risen to the top, and may help scientists understand what autism really is.

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Mini-brains bare tortuous trek of cells in Timothy syndrome

by  /  23 June 2017

A new technique for building a ‘brain in a dish’ reveals how neurons move to their proper places during fetal development.

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April 2017

Mighty element plays major part in autism

by ,  /  18 April 2017

Probing the function of a protein in a calcium signaling pathway may lead to a diagnostic test for autism and a path toward treatments.

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March 2017

In trials, repurposed drug shows promise for autism

by  /  27 March 2017

A drug used to treat excessive swelling seems to ease autism features in some children on the spectrum.

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February 2017

Distinct mutations in sodium channel trigger autism, epilepsy

by  /  8 February 2017

Some mutations in a gene called SCN2A make neurons less excitable and are linked to autism; others have the opposite effect and may cause seizures during infancy.

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November 2016

Sodium channel gene takes diverging paths in autism, epilepsy

by  /  16 November 2016

Mutations in a gene called SCN2A have opposite effects in autism and in epilepsy.

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