Signaling imbalance
Some social issues in DYRK1A model mice stem from faulty inhibitory circuits
Alterations in inhibitory circuits and difficulties in social recognition characterize mice missing one copy of DYRK1A, a gene linked to autism.
Some social issues in DYRK1A model mice stem from faulty inhibitory circuits
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
Skewed signaling in striatum may spawn repetitive behaviors
Synaptic changes in the brain region could drive a core trait of fragile X syndrome, a new mouse study suggests.
Skewed signaling in striatum may spawn repetitive behaviors
Neuronal deafness to stress may add to protein surplus in fragile X
A protective pathway that pauses protein synthesis is muted in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, according to a new study.
Neuronal deafness to stress may add to protein surplus in fragile X
Trials of arbaclofen for autism yield mixed results
Autistic children taking the drug showed improvements in some behaviors but not in their social skills.
Trials of arbaclofen for autism yield mixed results
Cannabis compound rebalances signaling to quell seizures in mice
Cannabidiol (CBD) blocks the action of a molecule that drives an overexcitability feedback loop in a rodent model of epilepsy.
Cannabis compound rebalances signaling to quell seizures in mice
Unconventional optogenetics technique spurs long-lasting changes in neuronal activity
Conventional optogenetic manipulations to excite or inhibit neurons stop when the light switches off. A new approach makes the changes last.
Unconventional optogenetics technique spurs long-lasting changes in neuronal activity
Of mice and human interneurons: Q&A with Moritz Helmstaedter
People’s brains have a larger network of inhibitory interneurons than mouse brains do, according to a new study. Changes to that network could contribute to autism or other conditions, says lead investigator Moritz Helmstaedter.
Of mice and human interneurons: Q&A with Moritz Helmstaedter
Portrait of a research field: astrocytes in autism
Long cast in supporting roles in the brain, astrocytes are now emerging as primary players in certain characteristics of autism and related conditions.
Portrait of a research field: astrocytes in autism
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
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Blinking—long considered a problem the brain must overcome to produce seamless vision—may actually be more of a feature than a bug, new research suggests.
Visual perception improves in the blink of an eye
Blinking—long considered a problem the brain must overcome to produce seamless vision—may actually be more of a feature than a bug, new research suggests.
The Transmitter Launch: Industry internships, ‘Next Generation Leaders,’ and more
Working at a biotechnology or artificial-intelligence company is no longer an “alternative career” for researchers with a doctorate in neuroscience—plus jobs, training and funding updates for May.
The Transmitter Launch: Industry internships, ‘Next Generation Leaders,’ and more
Working at a biotechnology or artificial-intelligence company is no longer an “alternative career” for researchers with a doctorate in neuroscience—plus jobs, training and funding updates for May.
Some minimally verbal autistic people show signs of written-language familiarity, study suggests
But researchers not involved in the work worry the findings could be used to support discredited facilitated-communication techniques.
Some minimally verbal autistic people show signs of written-language familiarity, study suggests
But researchers not involved in the work worry the findings could be used to support discredited facilitated-communication techniques.