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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: learning and memory

March 2018
Tiny particles (blue), along with light-sensitive proteins (green) and light, excite neurons (red) in a reward region of the mouse brain.

Tiny particles safely stimulate neurons buried in brain

by  /  30 March 2018

A new technology that converts near-infrared light to visible light can manipulate neurons nestled deep in the brain.

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Two mice in a waiting room.

What to watch for when analyzing mouse behavior

by  /  21 March 2018

Many tests for unusual behavior in mice are prone to operator error. Here’s how to avoid common traps.

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honeycomb shape with arrows shows the pattern of activity of rats in the maze

‘Honeycomb’ maze elevates testing of rodents’ spatial skills

by  /  16 March 2018

A maze comprising 37 hexagonal platforms may offer researchers an accurate measure of rodents’ ability to navigate their surroundings.

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New tool may speed up drugs to ease need for sameness in autism

by ,  /  13 March 2018

Using a new task to test resistance to change in autism, we are developing leads for treatments for this troublesome trait.

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February 2018
Certain genetic regions in mice loosen their wrapping around support proteins after the animals learn a new task.

Autism genes abound in DNA regions involved in learning

by  /  22 February 2018

The same processes that enable the brain to store new memories may also control many autism genes.

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Birdseye view of four adults sitting in a circle talking

Games plus group therapy may help adults with autism find jobs

by  /  7 February 2018

Adults with autism who undergo a therapy designed to bolster social learning show cognitive benefits that may increase their chances of employment.

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January 2018
group of rats on wood chips

Drug in trials for one autism-linked condition may worsen another

by  /  26 January 2018

The drug rapamycin, which is in clinical trials as a treatment for tuberous sclerosis, may exacerbate features of fragile X syndrome, another condition related to autism.

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black rat and white rat

Anxiety drug reverses problems in mice with autism mutation

by  /  4 January 2018

A widely used treatment for anxiety can eliminate some of the cognitive and social problems seen in mice missing a copy of ARID1B, a gene associated with autism.

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December 2017

For autism research pioneers, early work paved path to success

by  /  22 December 2017

We asked three distinguished autism researchers to reflect on their first studies in the field.

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November 2017

Why intelligence scores do not predict success for autistic adults

by ,  /  28 November 2017

Measures of adaptive functioning may better assess the ability of autistic people to meet daily demands than do intelligence tests.

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