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Autism

Research articles covering work related to austism spectrum disorders are provided below.

·August 5, 2020·4 min read

How a Gene Alteration Modifies Social Behavior in Autism

Researchers have uncovered a link between the Nlgn3 gene and the oxytocin signaling pathway in mouse models of ASD. Nlgn3 disrupts the oxytocin signaling pathway in neurons in the reward system, consequentially resulting in reduced social interactions in mice.

Autism Featured Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 4, 2020·4 min read

Greater Excitability in Social Brain Regions of Autistic Men Compared to Women

Males with autism have atypically enhanced excitation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). This area of the brain is associated with social cognition and self-reflection. Autistic women showed a more intact mPFC response, which was associated with a better ability to camouflage social difficulties in real-world settings.

Autism Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 28, 2020·5 min read

Experimental Drug for Alzheimer’s May Help Children With Autism

Children suffering from a form of autism called ADNP syndrome may benefit from an experimental drug designed to treat Alzheimer's disease.

This shows the neurons mapped in the TRN

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·July 22, 2020·6 min read

Mapping the Brain’s Sensory Gatekeeper

Mapping the thalamic reticular nucleus, researchers have identified two distinct subnetworks of neurons with different functions. Findings offer insight into more specific targets for therapeutics to alleviate some sensory, sleep, and attention symptoms associated with ASD and other disorders characterized by sensory hypersensitivity.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 14, 2020·4 min read

Autism Researchers Map Brain Circuitry of Social Preference

Study reveals how two neural circuits dictate the choice between social approach and avoidance. The network connecting the infralimbic cortex to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) impairs social behavior if there is a decrease in neural activity. Another network connecting the prelimbic cortex to the BLA similarly impairs social behavior if the neural activity is increased.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·July 13, 2020·5 min read

Vascular Development May Be At Risk in Autism

Early developmental deficits in the formation of the brain's blood vessels cause autistic traits in mouse models of ASD.

This shows a child playing with building blocks

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 7, 2020·4 min read

Sensory Neurons Outside the Brain Drive Autistic Social Behaviors

The loss of the protein neurofibromin 1 (NF1) in adult male flies resulted in social impairments. The deficits were traced back to a primary disruption in a small group of peripheral neurons which control external stimuli, including touch and smell, that communicate to the brain.

Autism Featured Genetics

·June 24, 2020·4 min read

New genetic mutations linked to ASD discovered

Mutations of the CNOT1 gene affect brain development, impairing memory, and learning. The CNOT1 gene also interacts with several known autism-related genes.

Autism Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 18, 2020·5 min read

Unique metabolic markers detect over 50% of children affected by ASD

Blood samples reveal unique metabolic signatures in over 50% of children on the autism spectrum.

This shows the outline of a head and neurons

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 31, 2020·2 min read

Brain imaging demonstrates weaker neural suppression in those on the autism spectrum

Abnormal sensory processing associated with ASD has been linked to weaker neural suppression in the visual cortex.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 28, 2020·5 min read

Autism severity can change substantially during early childhood

A new study reveals up to 30% of children diagnosed with autism had less severe symptoms at age six than they did at age three. In some cases, children lost their autism diagnoses entirely. Girls are more likely to show a greater reduction in autism symptoms and less of a rise in the severity of symptoms than boys on the autism spectrum.