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ASD

The vmPFC is highlighted in these brain scans

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 20, 2019·4 min read

Scientists succeed in testing potential brain-based method to diagnose autism

Neuroimaging reveals a significantly diminished response in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in children on the autism spectrum. The findings could be used as a biomarker for diagnosing ASD.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 16, 2019·6 min read

Brain changes in autism traced to specific cell types

Studying brain tissue samples from people with ASD revealed a common set of alterations in genes associated with synaptic communication between neurons. The changes were identified mainly in neurons in the uppermost layers of the neocortex.

Autism Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 8, 2019·4 min read

A step toward better understanding brain anatomy of autism spectrum disorder

Cortical anatomy is not represented by fixed differences between those with ASD and peers not on the autism spectrum. However, differences in symptom profiles and severity, age and cognitive ability are related to brain differences specific to ASD alone.

These are fmri scans of the female mice brains lacking shank3

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 7, 2019·2 min read

Autism gene linked to brain and behavior deficits in mice

A deficiency of the SHANK3 gene, a gene associated with ASD, results in structural and functional deficits in the prefrontal cortex. The functional and structural alterations in the PFC were linked to an impairment in social interaction in male mice.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 5, 2019·4 min read

Gender-biased protein may play role in autism: Mouse study

204 proteins discovered were more highly regulated in females than males, with 31% of the proteins being associated with the development of Autism, researchers report. Findings shed new light on why males are at higher risk of ASD than females.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 2, 2019·3 min read

Viral infections during pregnancy linked to behavioral abnormalities in offspring: Rat study

Females offspring whose mothers experienced maternal immune activation while pregnant displayed an array of behavioral abnormalities associated with schizophrenia.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 1, 2019·3 min read

20 novel genes associated with bipolar disorder identified

A study of more than 50,000 patients with bipolar disorder in 14 countries helped researchers identify 20 new genetic risk factors for bipolar disorder. Eight of the genes also had an association with an increased risk for schizophrenia. ASD and anorexia, it was discovered, also had genetic ties to bipolar depression.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 30, 2019·4 min read

Possible link between autism and antidepressants use during pregnancy: Mouse Study

A new study in mice reveals a possible link between the use of SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism-like symptoms in offspring. Offspring exposed to fluoxetine (Prozac) in utero were more likely to exhibit impaired neurotransmission caused by an overactive serotonin receptor in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain implicated in modulating social behaviors. However, treating the mice with a compound that blocks the receptor alleviated the behavioral problems and improved working memory.

This shows a child sitting by a beautiful lake

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 29, 2019·5 min read

Autism diagnoses prove highly stable as early as 14 months

Autism diagnosis becomes stable starting at 14 months of age, researchers report. The accurate diagnosis of ASD, four months earlier than previously believed, leads to more opportunities for early interventions.

This showa a child looking at a DNA strand

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 29, 2019·5 min read

Study links gene to sleep problems in autism

Deficiencies in the SHANK3 gene have been linked to sleep disruptions in both mouse models and people with ASD. Researchers found patients with Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a genetic disorder associated with autism, report trouble falling, and staying asleep. In mouse models, animals lacking the SHANK3 gene had a reduction in deep sleep quality and spent more time awake when other mice were sleeping.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·April 27, 2019·2 min read

New research reviews the state of vaccine safety science

Researchers will present a systematic review of scientific evidence for, and against causal associations for 47 proposed adverse events following immunizations at PAS 2019. The review found that, for 12 of the 47 AEFIs in the study, a causal relationship has been established with at least one vaccine. With the exception of deltoid bursitis, where a vaccine is administered incorrectly, causing pain to the arm, the adverse reactions are very rare. For the other 35 AEFis, the evidence does not support a causal relationship between conditions, such as ASD, asthma, diabetes, multiple sclerosis or SIDs, and vaccinations.

This shows the lead research looking after a baby in a neonatal ward

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·April 27, 2019·3 min read

Placental function linked to brain injuries associated with autism

Disruptions in the supply of allopregnanolone, a hormone created by the placenta late in pregnancy, to the developing fetus can leave children more vulnerable to brain injuries associated with ASD. Losing the supply of ALLO alters cerebellar development, an area of the brain critical for motor coordination and social cognition, impacting the post-birth development of cerebellar white matter. An experimental model revealed deficient cerebellar white matter resulted in social impairments and an increase in repetitive behaviors, two hallmark features associated with autism.