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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: mouse models

January 2021
neurons in mice

Sensory perception, cell signals disrupted in people and mice missing autism gene

by  /  13 January 2021

People and mice with only one working copy of the autism gene SYNGAP1 may have trouble processing sights and sounds.

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Mouse brain scan video still in black and white.

New mouse brain atlas traces connections in fine detail

by  /  13 January 2021

A new wiring diagram of the mouse brain could help autism researchers better study how brain connections vary in mice with different genetic backgrounds.

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Four white mice on a rotarod, blue background.

Motor skills, brain volume affected in mouse model of DDX3X syndrome

by  /  13 January 2021

Mice missing one copy of the autism-linked gene DDX3X have smaller brains and worse motor skills than mice with both copies of the gene, according to a new unpublished study.

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Two mice in a rotarod machine

Mouse study sounds note of caution for Rett syndrome therapies

by  /  13 January 2021

Treatments for Rett syndrome that aim to boost levels of the protein MECP2 may not help everyone with the condition.

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Neurons in cerebella of mice with fewer branches and spines.

Cerebellum alterations crop up in mice missing autism gene

by  /  12 January 2021

Deleting the autism-linked gene CNTNAP2 from mice leads to distinct cellular and electrical changes in the cerebellum, according to two unpublished studies presented virtually today at the 2021 Society for Neuroscience Global Connectome.

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Neurons show structural changes, seen in black and white.

Loss of a top autism gene may alter neuron structure

by  /  12 January 2021

Mutations in the autism-linked gene ASH1L change how neurons grow and develop.

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dopamine neurons in mice show up green in an area of the brain associated with social reward.

Dopamine neurons may dampen social behavior in mouse model of autism

by  /  12 January 2021

Mice missing a copy of the autism-linked gene PTEN show a reduced preference for social interaction, possibly due to atypically large, overconnected dopamine neurons. Easing the overconnection may alleviate this trait.

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Proteins present at neuronal junctions.

Repeat labeling helps reveal synaptic proteins

by  /  12 January 2021

A novel microscopy technique offers the most detailed look to date at the proteins present at neuronal junctions.

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Heat map of mouse activity.

Circuit linking prefrontal cortex and brain’s relay station regulates social behavior in mice

by  /  11 January 2021

A set of neurons connecting the prefrontal cortex and the thalamus helps regulate social interactions in mice.

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Lab mice in cage

‘Litter effects’ may skew findings in mouse studies

by  /  11 January 2021

Even when they share identical genetic backgrounds, mice from separate litters show different patterns of development, according to a new study.

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