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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: neurotransmitters

September 2018
Mouse brain photograph shows the area of drug delivery highlighted in red.

Brain implant mutes seizure-like activity in mice

by  /  28 September 2018

A new brain implant pumps chemical signals directly into a target region to ease seizure-like activity in mice.

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Artwork shows a flock of birds flying inside the head of a boy.

How a ‘pacemaker’ for the brain could ease autism traits

by  /  4 September 2018

Looking at the brain as a whole suggests that nudging flawed sets of neurons to collaborate better might alleviate autism traits.

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August 2018

Two new sensors track chemical signals in brains of living animals

by  /  24 August 2018

Novel sensors enable researchers to monitor the activity of two signaling chemicals in the brains of living fruit flies and mice.

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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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November 2017
black mice exiting hole

Learning shows sex bias in mice with mutation tied to autism

by  /  23 November 2017

Male mice with a genetic variant tied to autism may have learning difficulties that females with the variant do not.

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Capitol building with reflections Washingtom DC, USA

Takeaways from SfN 2017

by  /  16 November 2017

After five days and more than 13,000 abstracts, the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C., has drawn to a close.

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October 2017
Week of OctoberOct
16th
2017

Boy bias; incontinence issues; smart search and more

by  /  20 October 2017

A mouse model of autism reveals sex differences in brain function and behavior, incontinence and autism often co-occur, and a new literature search engine summarizes neuroscience hits into interactive visuals.

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Week of OctoberOct
2nd
2017

Cannabis candidate; omega add-on; oxytocin control and more

by  /  6 October 2017

A cannabis gel may ease features of fragile X syndrome, omega fatty acids show promise for autism in two trials, and oxytocin reinforces social behaviors through the brain’s reward pathway.

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September 2017
Week of SeptemberSep
18th
2017

Genetic hotspot; big brain collaboration; funding fall and more

by  /  22 September 2017

A gene called TRIO may be a hotbed for autism mutations, an international collaboration focuses on the whole brain and one behavior, and Autism Speaks cuts grant spending.

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August 2017

Flash of light shifts social behavior in autism mice

by  /  2 August 2017

Turning on a set of neurons that dampen brain activity improves social behavior in a mouse model of autism; turning off neurons that excite brain activity does the same thing.

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