SFN 2019
Loss of insulation on neurons may contribute to autism
Genes involved in the formation of myelin, a fatty substance that sheathes neurons, are altered in autistic people and in several mouse models.
Loss of insulation on neurons may contribute to autism
In brain imaging studies of autism, location may alter results
A new analysis hints at the source of the rampant inconsistency among brain imaging studies in autism: significant differences among study sites.
In brain imaging studies of autism, location may alter results
Spheres of brain cells may offer crystal ball for autism’s origins
Researchers have monitored the active genome in brain organoids over the course of nearly two years — and may find clues to autism’s roots.
Spheres of brain cells may offer crystal ball for autism’s origins
Fever’s immune effect on brain may ease autism traits
An immune molecule produced during a fever improves sociability in three mouse models of autism.
Fever’s immune effect on brain may ease autism traits
Takeaways from SfN 2019
Thousands of research presentations, five days: Spectrum looks back at the 2019 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Chicago.
Brain scans from one person build reliable map of brain activity
Mapping brain activity in one person doing multiple tasks creates a more accurate picture of the brain than averaging the brain activity of multiple people doing a single task.
Brain scans from one person build reliable map of brain activity
Drug counteracts effects of doubled autism gene
An experimental drug tamps down the expression of a gene duplicated in an autism-related condition and restores typical behavior in mice.
Drug counteracts effects of doubled autism gene
Mass-produced organoids hint at diversity of autism
Researchers have analyzed thousands of brain organoids derived from six autistic people, gaining the potential to rapidly screen drugs.
Mass-produced organoids hint at diversity of autism
Leaky mitochondria may play central role in fragile X syndrome
Some traits of fragile X syndrome may be due to problems with mitochondria, the cell’s energy factories.
Leaky mitochondria may play central role in fragile X syndrome
Rat model mimics communication problems in Angelman syndrome
Rats missing UBE3A, the gene mutated in people with Angelman syndrome, squeak frequently but tend not to be responsive to the play and squeaks of other rats.
Rat model mimics communication problems in Angelman syndrome
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.