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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.

August 2019
colorful groups of cell types

New method dramatically scales up mapping of active genes in cells

by  /  23 August 2019

A new technique enables scientists to isolate, and chart gene expression in, tens of thousands of cells at once.

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Portrait of Mark Bear

Webinar: Mark Bear discusses fragile X syndrome, from bench to bedside

 /  21 August 2019

Watch the complete replay of Mark Bear discussing the latest research on treatments for fragile X syndrome.

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Spiral DNA against a dark background

Patterns of DNA tags mark candidate genes for autism

by  /  15 August 2019

Children with autism who carry mutations in the chromosomal region 16p11.2 or the gene CHD8 — two of the leading risk factors for autism — show distinct patterns of chemical tags on their DNA.

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Illustration shows woman peering at her partner and child from behind a 'curtain' of genome sequence

The problems with prenatal testing for autism

by  /  14 August 2019

As prenatal testing improves, it presents a host of thorny issues — from what to test and how to interpret the results, to what to do about them.

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DNA microscopy images of cells glow green and red

New technique maps molecules through DNA ‘scope’

by  /  9 August 2019

A novel approach to microscopy reveals the sequences and spatial arrangement of DNA within cells.

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July 2019
Orange patterns are created from chemical tags in brain tissue from people with autism.

Different forms of autism may share pattern of chemical tags on DNA

by  /  22 July 2019

Brain tissues from people with autism of unknown cause and from people with either of two genetic forms of the condition all show similar patterns of methyl groups on DNA.

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Ultrasensitive blood test may detect autism mutations in utero

by  /  18 July 2019

A blood test can accurately detect whether a fetus carries large mutations of the kind linked to autism, according to pilot-study results.

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Gene linked to multiple forms of autism may boost risk of death from seizures

by  /  18 July 2019

Mice with extra copies of UBE3A, a gene linked to autism and related conditions, are susceptible to death from seizures.

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Family together in kitchen, showing three generations

Majority of autism risk resides in genes, multinational study suggests

by  /  17 July 2019

About 81 percent of autism risk comes from inherited genetic factors, according to an analysis of more than 2 million children from five countries.

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group of dark furred lab mice huddling together.

Mutations tied to autism may alter gut function, microbiome in mice

by  /  11 July 2019

Mutations in the autism gene NLGN3 may alter the gut nervous system of mice.

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