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Autism

·November 23, 2022·5 min read

Gene That Guides Earliest Social Behaviors Could Be Key to Understanding Autism

The TOP2a gene controls a network of genes that contribute to ASD. Drugs that suppress TOP2a during development can turn on a cluster of other genes that disrupt brain development and increase autism risks. Alterations to the TOP2a gene may be responsible for the social behavioral difficulties associated with ASD.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 21, 2022·5 min read

Gene Mutation Leading To Autism Found to Overstimulate Brain Cells

A gene associated with autism overstimulates brain cells far greater in neurons without the mutation.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 19, 2022·4 min read

Neonicotinoid Causes ASD-Like Symptoms

Disrupted neurotransmission via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors during fetal development results in an impaired preference for animate objects similar to autism in chick models.

Autism Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 19, 2022·3 min read

Visualizing Brain Effects of Alzheimer’s Disease and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Novel PET imaging probes will show real-time brain activity that occurs during disease progression in autism and Alzheimer's disease.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 18, 2022·2 min read

Genetic Markers for Autism, Hiding in Plain Sight

It is estimated that 80% of autism is inherited, but causative genes are hard to identify. Researchers have identified the ACMSD gene as being associated with non-verbal types of ASD.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 14, 2022·6 min read

The Hunt for Disrupted Brain Signals Behind Autism

The loss of the Arid1b gene interferes with brain cells implicated in signaling inhibition. Reduced inhibitory signaling has previously been associated with a range of autism-related behaviors.

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Autism Featured Neuroscience

·November 14, 2022·3 min read

Study Pinpoints Three Brain Regions With Signature Connections in Autistic Individuals

Researchers have identified patterns of white matter connectivity exclusive to core symptoms of autism. The study also reveals many structural brain connectivity patterns previously believed to be associated with ASD also overlap with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 10, 2022·5 min read

World’s Largest Autism Whole Genome Sequencing Study Reveals 134 Autism-Linked Genes

Researchers have identified 134 genes associated with autism and a range of genetic alterations associated with ASD. Notably, the study identified changes in copy number variations with likely associations with ASD, including autism-associated variants in 14% of people on the autism spectrum.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 10, 2022·2 min read

Why Eye Contact Is Rare Among People With Autism

During eye contact, those with ASD have significantly reduced activity in the dorsal parietal cortex compared to those who are not on the autism spectrum.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 9, 2022·2 min read

Genetic Variation and the Diverse Range of Behaviors in Autism

Findings provide a better understanding of how natural genetic variations impact brain development and give rise to the spectrum of autism-associated behaviors.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·November 2, 2022·5 min read

Brain Changes in Autism Are Far More Sweeping Than Previously Known

Brain changes associated with ASD encompass more areas than previously believed, a new study reports. Researchers identified brain-wide changes in all 11 cortical regions analyzed. The greatest gene drop-offs were found in the visual cortex and the parietal cortex, a brain area associated with processing touch, pain, and temperature information. The findings shed light on sensory hypersensitivity associated with ASD. Additionally, researchers say the RNA alterations associated with ASD are more likely a cause than a result of autism.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·November 1, 2022·4 min read

Study Offers New Insights Into Genetic Mutations in Autism Disorders and Points to Possible Treatments

Mutations of the PTEN gene cause neurons to grow to twice the size and form four times the number of synaptic connections to other neurons as a normal neuron. Removing the RAPTOR gene, an essential gene in the mTORC1 signaling pathway, prevents the neuronal and synaptic overgrowth associated with PTEN mutations. Using Rapamycin to inhibit mTORC1 recues all the changes in neuronal overgrowth.