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Spectrum: Autism Research News

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Genes

Rare or common, inherited or spontaneous, mutations form the core of autism risk.

October 2011

Researchers engineer light-responsive strains of mice

by  /  5 October 2011

Researchers have engineered four new mouse lines that each show activation of a different subset of neurons in response to a blue light.

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DNA helix with a highlighted area in pink.

Genetics: Rare mutations slightly more common in autism

by  /  5 October 2011

Duplications and deletions of genetic regions linked to autism are rare in individuals referred for genetic testing, but occur at a higher rate than in the general population.

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Clinical research: Parents share some autism traits

by  /  4 October 2011

Individuals who have multiple children with autism have more severe social and communication deficits than either controls or those who have only one child with autism.

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New mouse model mimics many symptoms of autism

by  /  3 October 2011

Mice lacking the autism-linked gene CNTNAP2 show many of the behaviors associated with the disorder, and exhibit brain circuit disruptions similar to those seen in people who carry mutations in the gene.

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September 2011

Molecular mechanisms: Maternal stress affects male mice

by  /  30 September 2011

The male offspring of mice subjected to stress during pregnancy can transmit the effects to their own male pups.

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Twin study suggests autism traits inherited independently

by  /  29 September 2011

A new study of nearly 6,000 pairs of twins suggests that the three core traits of autism are inherited separately, and to varying degrees, both in individuals with autism and in the general population.

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Three-dimensional re-creation reveals dendrite shapes

by  /  28 September 2011

Researchers have created detailed three-dimensional reconstructions of the numerous complex branches of dendrites, the signal-receiving ends of neurons.

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Cognition and behavior: Mutant mice show social deficits

by  /  28 September 2011

Mice lacking a gene that regulates an important signaling pathway in the central nervous system have severe autism-like social deficits, including little interest in nurturing their offspring and problems with learning and memory.

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Insights for autism from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

by  /  27 September 2011

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and autism are both associated with alterations in the number of copies of certain genetic regions, mutations in multiple candidate genes and with both inherited and spontaneous mutations, notes human geneticist James Lupski.

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Genetics: Protein that regulates serotonin linked to autism

by  /  27 September 2011

A protein that regulates the development of serotonin-producing neurons in the brain is associated with autism.

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