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Spectrum: Autism Research News

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Treatments

Efforts to ease the symptoms of autism are beginning to ramp up, with promising candidates in various stages of testing.

November 2011

Researchers unveil seven new rat models of autism

by  /  16 November 2011

A large scientific research company debuted seven new rat models of autism Tuesday evening in Washington, D.C. Two of the models, one lacking FMR1 and the other lacking NLGN3, show some unexpected new characteristics.

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Valproate rat model implicates adrenaline in autism

by  /  16 November 2011

Drugs that act on the adrenaline system can alleviate autism-like symptoms in a rat model of the disorder, according to unpublished research presented Sunday in Washington, D.C.

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Mouse study points to potential therapy for fragile X syndrome

by  /  15 November 2011

A protein involved in the cascade of interactions at the junctions between neurons points to a potential therapy for fragile X syndrome, according to unpublished data presented at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

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Optogenetics method moves into monkeys

by  /  14 November 2011

Researchers can delay a monkey’s reaching movement by shining a beam of light into its brain, according to unpublished research presented at a poster session Sunday at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

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Video: New European project aims to speed drug research

by  /  13 November 2011

Declan Murphy talks to SFARI.org about a new European project intended to stimulate development of autism drugs.

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Genetic studies probe sleep hormone’s role in autism

by  /  13 November 2011

A subset of people with autism have genetic and biochemical abnormalities in a sleep-related enzyme, according to research presented Friday at a satellite conference of the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

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Structure of language pathways differs in non-verbal autism

by  /  13 November 2011

Non-verbal children with autism show structural differences in key language areas of the brain compared with controls, according to a poster presented Saturday at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

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Vision problems in Rett syndrome could serve as biomarker

by  /  13 November 2011

Mice missing the Rett syndrome gene MeCP2 show a gradual decline in vision, and too much inhibitory signaling in the visual cortex, according to unpublished research presented Thursday in Washington, D.C.

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Different world

by  /  12 November 2011

Most neuroscientists who study autism focus on genes, pathways and mouse models, and rarely think about the day-to-day experience of people with the disorder, contends developmental psychologist Ami Klin.

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Base hits

by  /  11 November 2011

A panel of heavyweights from pharmaceutical companies and funding organizations painted a pessimistic picture for the future of autism drugs.

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