Macrocephaly
Head size parts autism into two major subtypes
An imbalance in the number of excitatory neurons in early brain development may account for the difference.
Head size parts autism into two major subtypes
Genetic background sways effects of autism-linked mutation
Experiments offer clues to why certain mutations are associated with autism in some people and not others.
Genetic background sways effects of autism-linked mutation
CHD8 mutation in 33 mouse strains yields range of traits
The findings put genetic background forward to help explain autism’s heterogeneity.
CHD8 mutation in 33 mouse strains yields range of traits
Excess of ‘don’t eat me’ cell signals may drive brain enlargement in autism
The signal, called CD47, is disrupted in autistic people who have a larger-than-average head.
Excess of ‘don’t eat me’ cell signals may drive brain enlargement in autism
Zebrafish point to new gene involved in brain overgrowth, autism
The gene, YTHDF2, has not previously been linked to autism.
Zebrafish point to new gene involved in brain overgrowth, autism
New diagnostic code for PTEN syndrome may spur research
The code may help scientists identify people with the autism-linked condition and recruit them into clinical trials.
New diagnostic code for PTEN syndrome may spur research
Different forms of autism have opposite problems with brain precursor cells
The cells’ altered proliferation rates hint at ways to diagnose and potentially treat autism earlier.
Different forms of autism have opposite problems with brain precursor cells
Novel gene linked to brain size in autistic people
The gene, YTHDF2, may be one of several that contribute to an autism subtype marked by an unusually big brain.
Novel gene linked to brain size in autistic people
Organoids show how mutations in top autism gene may lead to brain overgrowth in people
The loss of CHD8, a top autism gene, speeds up the production of certain neurons and leads to overgrowth in spheres of cultured brain cells.
Organoids show how mutations in top autism gene may lead to brain overgrowth in people
Three autism-linked genes converge on tweaks to cells’ timing
Mutations in all three accelerate the maturation of inhibitory neurons, which could upset the brain’s balance of excitation and inhibition early in development.
Three autism-linked genes converge on tweaks to cells’ timing
Explore more from The Transmitter
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.