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neurodevelopmental disorders

Corticogenesis with six cortical layers is shown.

·February 11, 2013·3 min read

Genes for Autism and Schizophrenia Only Active in Developing Brains

Genes linked to autism and schizophrenia are only switched on during the early stages of brain development, according to a study in mice led by researchers at the University of Oxford.

The image shows the atlas activity of the forebrain. The caption describes the image best.

Featured Genetics

·January 31, 2013·5 min read

Genome-Wide Atlas of Gene Enhancers in the Brain On-line

Future research into the underlying causes of neurological disorders such as autism, epilepsy and schizophrenia, should greatly benefit from a first-of-its-kind atlas of gene-enhancers in the cerebrum (telencephalon). This new atlas identifies and locates thousands of gene-regulating elements in a region of the brain that is of critical importance for cognition, motor functions and emotion.

The image shows neurons expressing neuroglobin-2 and MDGA1. The caption explains the image best.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·January 28, 2013·3 min read

Protein Family Linked to Autism Suppresses the Development of Inhibitory Synapses

A study shows another family of proteins linked to neurodevelopmental disorders regulates the function of neuroligins and neurexins in order to suppress the development of inhibitory synapses.

Autism Featured Psychology

·July 17, 2012·4 min read

Researchers Find Evidence of Link between Immune Irregularities and Autism

A new Caltech study suggests that specific changes in an overactive immune system can indeed contribute to autism-like behaviors in mice, and that in some cases, this activation can be related to what a developing fetus experiences in the womb.