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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: mitochondria

October 2019
Mitochondrion, coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM). Mitochondria are a type of organelle found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. They oxidise sugars and fats to produce energy in a process called respiration. A mitochondrion has two membranes, a smooth outer membrane and a folded inner membrane. The folds of the inner membrane are called cristae, and it is here that the chemical reactions to produce energy take place. Magnification: x62,800 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.

Leaky mitochondria may play central role in fragile X syndrome

by  /  23 October 2019

Some traits of fragile X syndrome may be due to problems with mitochondria, the cell’s energy factories.

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June 2019
Mouse neurons in a grid show differences

Autism mutation may disrupt brain structure by disabling mitochondria

by  /  13 June 2019

Mice that lack a segment of chromosome 22 — a mutation associated with autism — have unusually sparse connections between brain regions.

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March 2019

Faulty mitochondria may fuel features of fragile X syndrome

by  /  14 March 2019

Problems with the minute ‘factories’ that yield energy for cells — the mitochondria — may contribute to learning problems and other traits of fragile X syndrome.

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May 2018
Week of MayMay
7th
2018

Dividing autism; novel messengers; million-dollar mark and more

by  /  11 May 2018

A researcher proposes splitting autism into subtypes, mitochondria make neurotransmitters, and highly successful grantees may face a funding cap.

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April 2018
mutations in their mitochondrial genome

Mounting evidence links mitochondrial DNA to autism

by  /  5 April 2018

Genetic variants that affect mitochondria, the organelles that power cells, may increase the risk of autism.

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March 2018
Week of MarchMar
26th
2018

Late-life diagnosis; narrated brain stimulation; microglia movie and more

by  /  30 March 2018

Women describe relief at finally learning they have autism, a man with epilepsy narrates during stimulation of his brain, and the brain’s immune cells are caught on film nibbling at neuronal connections.

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January 2018
Week of JanuaryJan
22nd
2018

Pollutant surprise; monkey clones; researchers rattled and more

by  /  26 January 2018

Researchers find a surprising link between certain pollutants and reduced autism risk, the world welcomes — and fears — the first primate clones, and new U.S. clinical trial rules reverberate globally.

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August 2017
Week of AugustAug
21st
2017

Mitochondrial risk; anxiety amelioration; fever factor and more

by  /  25 August 2017

Some variants in mitochondrial DNA are more common than others in autism, cognitive therapy reduces anxiety for people on the spectrum, and maternal fever in the third trimester is tied to autism risk.

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June 2017

Doubt greets reports of suramin’s promise for treating autism

by  /  15 June 2017

A drug normally used to treat African sleeping sickness had only mild side effects in a widely reported trial of 10 boys with autism — but researchers question the study’s premise.

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May 2017

New tools strengthen old link between autism, mitochondria

by  /  30 May 2017

Variants of some mitochondrial genes may contribute to autism — in some cases, by teaming up with genes in the nucleus.

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