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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: stem cells

August 2012

Researchers home in on dosage effects of 15q11-13 region

by  /  13 August 2012

Researchers are beginning to tease apart how dosage of genes within the 15q11-13 chromosomal region contributes to autism symptoms.

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Genetics: Splicing gene alters expression of autism genes

by  /  3 August 2012

The autism-associated gene RBFOX1 modifies the sequence of hundreds of genetic messages, a number of which affect the expression of other autism-linked genes, according to a study published 7 July in Human Molecular Genetics.

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July 2012

In Phelan-McDermid, motor neurons show irregularities

by  /  30 July 2012

Motor neurons derived from individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a rare autism-related disorder, form abnormal connections with muscle cells. The unpublished research was presented 26 July at a meeting of the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation in Orlando.

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Targeting brain microcircuits may help treat autism

by  /  10 July 2012

Understanding the function of neuronal circuits, specifically microcircuits in the prefrontal cortex and elsewhere in the brain, will play a major role in translating research findings into new autism treatments, says Vikaas Sohal.

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June 2012

Q&A with Luca Santarelli: Targeting neuronal connections

by  /  12 June 2012

Luca Santarelli, head of neuroscience at Roche, explains why he is optimistic that pharmaceutical companies can overcome the obstacles in autism drug development.

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May 2012

Autism gene PTEN plays vital role in neural stem cells

by  /  31 May 2012

Knocking out an autism-linked gene called PTEN only in neural stem cells of the hippocampus, a brain region central to learning and memory, throws the development of new neurons off course in adult mice, according to research published last month in the Journal of Neuroscience.

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European consortium strives to spur autism drug development

by  /  21 May 2012

A $38.7 million project in the European Union — the largest single grant for autism research in the world — aims to bring together academic labs and pharmaceutical companies to speed the move from basic to clinical research.

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Fish study links chromosome 16 genes to head size

by  /  17 May 2012

By creating genetically engineered fish, two independent groups have identified genes in an autism hotspot on chromosome 16 that influence head size and brain development. 

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Personalizing medicine

by  /  15 May 2012

A pilot project highlights how adult stem cells could be used to test and select personalized therapies.

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Debate over quality of adult-derived stem cells rages on

by  /  7 May 2012

As the use of induced pluripotent stem cells grows, researchers are searching for ways to make them behave more predictably. 

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