SHANK1
How microscopic ‘condensates’ in cells might contribute to autism
A controversial idea about how cells compartmentalize their contents into droplets — like beads of oil in water — could be key to understanding autism, says Julie Forman-Kay.
How microscopic ‘condensates’ in cells might contribute to autism
The treasures of monkey island
On Cayo Santiago island, scientists track the alliances and power struggles of a colony of feral monkeys — collecting data to generate new insights into the social challenges that people with autism face.
Neighboring mutations in gene may spawn separate conditions
Two seemingly similar mutations in the SHANK3 gene have divergent effects on the brain and behavior.
Neighboring mutations in gene may spawn separate conditions
Rodent learning sheds light on missed social cues in autism
Many people with autism have trouble interpreting and responding to social cues. Studying how rats learn from each other can provide insights into the human social brain, says Amiel Rosenkranz.
Rodent learning sheds light on missed social cues in autism
Family of autism-linked proteins helps neurons communicate
The SHANK family of proteins, some of which are strong autism candidates, work together to facilitate brain signaling, according to unpublished results presented yesterday at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
Family of autism-linked proteins helps neurons communicate
SHANK3 mutations turn up in high proportion of autism cases
About 2 percent of people who have both autism and intellectual disability carry harmful mutations in SHANK3, a protein that helps organize the connections between neurons, according to a study published 4 September in PLoS Genetics.
SHANK3 mutations turn up in high proportion of autism cases
Drug fixes cellular defects in autism-related disorder
A new stem-cell model of Phelan-McDermid syndrome points to a possible treatment for the rare autism-related disorder, according to a study published in Nature.
Drug fixes cellular defects in autism-related disorder
Where will the focus on SHANK genes lead?
Geneticists react to discoveries and identify next steps for one of autism’s most promising candidate genes.
SHANK mutations converge at neuronal junctions in autism
SHANK3, one of the strongest candidate genes for autism, has the potential to be a molecular entry point into understanding the synaptic, developmental and circuit origins of the disorder.
SHANK mutations converge at neuronal junctions in autism
Risk factors
To focus the search for environmental risk factors in autism, we should look for chemicals that influence the molecular pathways associated with candidate risk genes, say Pamela Lein and Marianna Stamou.
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What neuroscientists should know—and what they can do—about changes to BRAIN initiative funding
Many grant proposals submitted to the program in the past year are unlikely to be funded, according to people within the National Institutes of Health. But scientist advocates are reaching out to congressional representatives to try to make changes for 2025.
What neuroscientists should know—and what they can do—about changes to BRAIN initiative funding
Many grant proposals submitted to the program in the past year are unlikely to be funded, according to people within the National Institutes of Health. But scientist advocates are reaching out to congressional representatives to try to make changes for 2025.
Crowdsourcing to curb aggression in autism: Q&A with Matthew Goodwin
To accelerate the development of real-time behavioral prediction technology, a research team is sharing data and seeking new collaborators.
Crowdsourcing to curb aggression in autism: Q&A with Matthew Goodwin
To accelerate the development of real-time behavioral prediction technology, a research team is sharing data and seeking new collaborators.