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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: mouse models

February 2013

Molecular mechanisms: Study links excess protein to autism

by  /  20 February 2013

Elevated levels of EIF4E, which plays a key role in protein synthesis, lead to autism-like behaviors and abnormal neuronal signaling in mice, according to a study published 17 January in Nature.

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Retracted results

by  /  19 February 2013

The SHANK3 mouse model described in a 2011 Cell paper that was retracted 17 January is still worth studying, says Alan Packer.

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Conceptual illustration of many-branched neurons firing.

Cognition and behavior: Supplement keeps Rett mice healthy

by  /  19 February 2013

Treating mice that model Rett syndrome with acetyl-L-carnitine delays the onset of symptoms until adulthood, according to a study published 5 December in PLoS One.

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Cognition and behavior: Neurobeachin loss mimics autism

by  /  8 February 2013

Mice missing one copy of neurobeachin, an autism-linked gene that fine-tunes signals at neuronal junctions, show autism-like behaviors, according to a study set to be published in the March issue of Neurobiology of Disease.

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January 2013

Fragile X mice show brain-wave abnormalities during sleep

by  /  25 January 2013

Neurons in mice that model fragile X syndrome show immature, overexcitable firing patterns, particularly during sleep, according to unpublished research presented last week at the Salk Institute, Fondation IPSEN and Nature Symposium on Biological Complexity in La Jolla, California.

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Alzheimer’s drug aids autism mouse model

by  /  23 January 2013

Memantine, a drug used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, can reverse autism-like features in mice lacking one copy of the MEF2C gene, according to a poster presented last week at the Salk Institute, Fondation IPSEN and Nature Symposium on Biological Complexity in La Jolla, California.

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Mouse stem cells enable study of Rett syndrome

by  /  23 January 2013

Researchers have made neurons from the skin cells of mice that model Rett syndrome, according to a study published in the December issue Molecular Psychiatry.

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Molecular mechanisms: Mutations make medley of symptoms

by  /  23 January 2013

Two mutations in CAPS2, an autism-linked protein that promotes neuronal signaling, lead to different autism-like behaviors in mice, according to two studies published in the past two months. Both mutations have been seen in individuals with autism. 

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Rescue funds

by  /  15 January 2013

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has designated funds to help New York University’s Langone Medical Center replace lost equipment and relocate research labs damaged during Hurricane Sandy.

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A small group of mice are inside a roll of tape, while a single mouse sits outside the roll of tape and faces away from the group.

Mutant mice show inconsistent behaviors in different labs

by  /  7 January 2013

Researchers from three different labs have found conflicting results on social behavior using similar tests in the same strain of mutant mice. The mice all lack neuroligin-4, an autism-linked gene.

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