Immune system
Microglial overreaction to atypical neurons may drive autism
In mice and organoids lacking a neuronal protein, microglia prune synapses to excess.
Microglial overreaction to atypical neurons may drive autism
Immune-activation model mice escape infantile amnesia, retain early memories
Male pups born to mothers treated with immune-stimulating molecules show autism-like behaviors and, unlike wildtype animals, do not lose memories formed during early life.
Immune-activation model mice escape infantile amnesia, retain early memories
Atlas charts cells of human placenta, uterus across early pregnancy
A new resource gives an unparalleled look at how fetal placental cells attach to the uterine wall and remodel maternal blood vessels to access nutrients.
Atlas charts cells of human placenta, uterus across early pregnancy
‘wildDISCO’ cocktail yields whole-body maps of mouse neurons and more
A new technique used to create see-through rodents can help scientists analyze how the nervous system interacts with other body systems.
‘wildDISCO’ cocktail yields whole-body maps of mouse neurons and more
Serotonin powers pruning of developing brain circuits in mice
Mice with microglia missing receptors for the neurotransmitter serotonin since birth have too many synapses and show social difficulties in adulthood.
Serotonin powers pruning of developing brain circuits in mice
Maternal immune response dulls male rats’ social radar
Male rats prenatally exposed to a maternal immune response have atypical responses to other rats in distress, according to a new study.
Maternal immune response dulls male rats’ social radar
Null and Noteworthy: Registered reports; motor measurements; viral DNA
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, Spectrum talks with a Nature editor about the journal’s move to publish more null results.
Null and Noteworthy: Registered reports; motor measurements; viral DNA
Immunity-linked genes expressed differently in brains of autistic people
Postmortem brain samples from people with one of six conditions, including autism, show distinct signatures of over- and underexpression of immune genes.
Immunity-linked genes expressed differently in brains of autistic people
The link between maternal infection and autism, explained
Having an infection during pregnancy is tied to a small increase in the chances of having an autistic child, but the connection may not be causal.
The link between maternal infection and autism, explained
Autism’s sex bias tied to glial, immune cell gene expression
The function of microglia and astrocytes in the brain may mediate the intersection of sex-differential biology and autism biology.
Autism’s sex bias tied to glial, immune cell gene expression
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Rat neurons thrive in a mouse brain world, testing ‘nature versus nurture’
Neurons from the two rodents can wire up together to form functional circuits—all while maintaining some species-specific properties, two new studies show.
Rat neurons thrive in a mouse brain world, testing ‘nature versus nurture’
Neurons from the two rodents can wire up together to form functional circuits—all while maintaining some species-specific properties, two new studies show.
It’s past time to stop using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test
The widely used measure of “theory of mind” needs to be re-examined, along with the long-standing claim that autism is linked to a lack of this ability.
It’s past time to stop using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test
The widely used measure of “theory of mind” needs to be re-examined, along with the long-standing claim that autism is linked to a lack of this ability.
Robots boost data consistency in rodent studies reliant on mechanical, optogenetic stimulation
Two new devices take experimenter variation out of the equation, the lead investigators say.
Robots boost data consistency in rodent studies reliant on mechanical, optogenetic stimulation
Two new devices take experimenter variation out of the equation, the lead investigators say.