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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: mouse models

January 2023
Lab images of cilia.

Autism and the cell’s antennae

by  /  4 January 2023

Many autism-linked genes are somehow tied to cilia, the tiny hair-like sensors that stud a cell’s surface. But the question remains whether, and how, cilia differences contribute to the condition.

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Image of neurons during a seizure.

Calming neurons to quell seizures: Q&A with Gabriele Lignani and Dimitri Kullmann

by  /  3 January 2023

A new gene therapy approach for epilepsy tamps down neural activity on demand.

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December 2022
Gavin Rumbaugh stands on a beach with his family: his wife, dog and child.

Beyond the bench: Finding balance with Gavin Rumbaugh

by  /  15 December 2022

Rumbaugh, who studies how the autism-linked gene SYNGAP1 shapes brain development, describes how he has embraced coastal living and which aspects of his career he wouldn’t do over.

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Illustration of a pregnant woman seated next to a large diagram of the brain featuring chromosomes, bacteria and other microbes.

The link between maternal infection and autism, explained

by  /  13 December 2022

Having an infection during pregnancy is tied to a small increase in the chances of having an autistic child, but the connection may not be causal.

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lllustration of the junction between two nerve cells.

Multi-omics study captures CNTNAP2’s far-ranging effects

by  /  8 December 2022

The in-depth approach shows mutations in the autism-linked gene disrupt neuronal growth and communication, as well as mitochondrial gene expression.

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November 2022
Grid of nine mri scans of mouse brains.

Shared brain structure, connectivity hint at autism subgroups

by  /  21 November 2022

Using imaging methods to sort mouse models of autism may help identify subtypes of autistic people with similar underlying biology.

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Marco Pagani stands in front of his research poster.

Subtyping autism using fMRI: A quick take at SfN with Marco Pagani

by  /  18 November 2022

Pagani used mouse models to connect autism etiologies to brain connectivity alterations and then found similar alterations in people with idiopathic forms of the condition.

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Two white mice socialize.

Autism genes converge on disruptions in social brain circuit

by  /  17 November 2022

The circuit linking the prefrontal cortex and part of the thalamus is impaired in mice raised in social isolation and in mice with mutations in the FMR1 or TSC2 genes.

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White laboratory mice isolated on orange luminous glass surface.

New evidence hints at mechanisms for ‘fever effect’ in autism

by  /  15 November 2022

The temporary easing of traits that a minority of autistic children are reported to show during or after a fever may stem from a rise in body temperature.

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A grid of clocks placed over a colorful gene sequence.

Autism-linked genes clock daily oscillations

by  /  14 November 2022

Rhythmic variations in the genes’ brain expression levels may help explain the sleep problems that often accompany the condition.

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