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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: mouse models

February 2012

Clinical research: Two compounds treat Rett syndrome in mice

by  /  1 February 2012

Two compounds that enhance the activity of BDNF, a protein needed for the growth of neurons, improve motor skills in mouse models of Rett syndrome and increase the mice’s lifespan.

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January 2012

Molecular mechanisms: Autism gene tied to neuronal junctions

by  /  24 January 2012

Neurobeachin, or NBEA, an autism–associated gene, may regulate the transport of signaling molecules to neuronal branches, according to a study published 22 November in Nature Communications.

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Clinical research: Study suggests drug for fragile X syndrome

by  /  17 January 2012

A compound that boosts inhibitory signals in the brain could treat hyperactivity and excitability in mice that model fragile X syndrome, according to a study published 8 November in Developmental Neuroscience.

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Molecular mechanisms: DISC1 variants inhibit neurogenesis

by  /  13 January 2012

Three variants of DISC1, a gene implicated in schizophrenia and autism, may disrupt the formation of new neurons in the brain, according to a study published 17 November in Neuron.

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Video technique measures monkeys’ social interest

by  /  11 January 2012

Male rhesus macaques show more interest in videos with social content, such as another monkey displaying aggression, than in videos of landscapes or other animals, according to a study published 26 October in PLoS One.

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Funding fears prevent researchers from sharing their mice

by  /  9 January 2012

Despite funders’ requirements to share mouse models after publication, many researchers hoard the animals for the good of their labs — and that could have an adverse effect on the field as a whole.

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Molecular mechanisms: Alzheimer’s protein linked to fragile X

by  /  4 January 2012

Lowering the levels of a protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease can rescue symptoms of fragile X syndrome in mice, according to a study published 26 October in PLoS One.

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Three brown mice in a restricted space in a lab experiment..

Cognition and behavior: Mouse models human Rett mutation

by  /  3 January 2012

A mouse model of Rett syndrome that mimics a mutation seen in people shows many features of the disorder, such as hand clasping, according to a study published 27 November in Nature Neuroscience.

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Book review: Autism’s twisted immune links, untangled

by  /  2 January 2012

Research on the immune system’s link to autism and other psychiatric disorders is rich and varied — from massive epidemiological studies of twins and pregnant women, to the screening of immune molecules in amniotic fluid and postmortem studies of brain inflammation. In his new book, Paul Patterson lays out this complicated work clearly and concisely, with little editorializing.

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December 2011

Adult decisions

by  /  20 December 2011

A new report outlines priorities for studying adults with autism, ranging from designing diagnostic tests to the most effective models of long-term care.

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