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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: synaptic plasticity

June 2017

Why it’s time to spin autism genes into drug screens

by  /  27 June 2017

Autism researchers’ top priority should be shifting their focus to finding treatments for severe forms of the condition.

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Genome’s ‘dark’ side steps into spotlight of autism research

by  /  27 June 2017

RNA segments that control when and where genes are expressed may be involved in autism.

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Maternal infection may alter neuronal signals, connections

by  /  9 June 2017

Pups born to pregnant mice infected with a mock virus are known to show changes in their immune system. These effects may in turn impair proper brain signaling, according to results presented Saturday at the 2013 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego.

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November 2016

Takeaways from SfN 2016

by  /  17 November 2016

Spectrum’s team reported about 50 stories at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego. One big theme this year: how autism relates to bigger questions in neuroscience.

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Growth factor levels may be elevated in children with autism

by  /  11 November 2016

Children with autism may have increased blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that spurs the formation of neuronal connections.

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Reactions from SfN 2016

by  /  11 November 2016

Spectrum’s team reported about 50 stories at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego. One big theme this year: how autism relates to bigger questions in neuroscience.

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August 2016

New tool spotlights neuron junctions in living human brains

by  /  19 August 2016

A new imaging technique allows researchers to illuminate the junctions between neurons in a living person’s brain.

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February 2016

The brain’s secret gardeners

by  /  3 February 2016

Once thought merely to be specialized immune system cells, microglia now appear to be master landscapers of the developing brain.

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October 2015

Microglia may play multiple roles in shaping brain

by  /  20 October 2015

Scientists have discovered a new way that microglia, the immune cells of the brain, can sculpt brain circuits.

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September 2015
Portrait of Beth Stevens.

Beth Stevens: Casting immune cells as brain sculptors

by  /  24 September 2015

Beth Stevens is unmasking new roles for microglia, the mysterious brain cells that seem to shape brain circuits.

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