Charting the structure and function of the brain’s many circuits may unravel autism’s mysteries.
When probing the circuits underlying social behavior in animal models of autism, researchers should consider potentially confounding variables, use multiple behavioral assays and report results in a descriptive and unbiased manner.
Neurons in mice with an autism-linked mutation sprout extraneous protrusions, an overgrowth accompanied by above-average motor learning. Inhibiting a cell signaling pathway reverses the effect.
A mutation in the autism-linked gene SHANK3 changes how neurons encode information about social agency in mice.
Thanks to a new engineered protein for optogenetics experiments, researchers can stimulate neurons with less light than usual and avoid damaging brain tissue.
A mouse model hints that genes linked to inflammation in some women may increase the likelihood of autism in their children.
Over the course of a career spanning more than three decades, Huda Zoghbi has won almost every major biology and neuroscience research award that exists. More than 20 years since she discovered the gene behind Rett syndrome, she remains laser focused on unlocking the condition’s secrets and finding effective treatments.
Mutations in CUL3, a leading autism gene, may disrupt the movements of neurons during development; correcting this misdirection could lead to an autism therapy.
The link between autism and prenatal exposure to an immune response may involve altered levels of immune cells, according to a new study.
Mice missing the autism-linked gene SHANK3 use more neurons to engage in social behavior than control mice do, reflecting a more disorganized, less efficient brain signaling network.
Researchers say they can synchronize two new devices and control neurons across 256 freely moving animals at once to study social behaviors.
