16p11.2
Recent articles
Autism’s ties to the cell skeleton
Many genes related to the condition play a role in the internal scaffolding of cells, and cytoskeletal disruptions can affect neurodevelopment and behavior.
Autism’s ties to the cell skeleton
Many genes related to the condition play a role in the internal scaffolding of cells, and cytoskeletal disruptions can affect neurodevelopment and behavior.
Multi-lab study hints at benefits of long-tested autism drug
The results lend support for clinical trials of arbaclofen in people with an autism-linked condition, the researchers say.
Multi-lab study hints at benefits of long-tested autism drug
The results lend support for clinical trials of arbaclofen in people with an autism-linked condition, the researchers say.
Going on Trial: Epidiolex for autism; arbaclofen tests; pain monitoring
This month’s issue of Going on Trial takes a sneak peek at some early null results from a small trial of a cannabidiol-based drug for autism, among other recent drug developments.
![A hand reaches from above to add a pill to a stack that is resting against the x-axis of a graph.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/844-going-on-trial-autism-drugs-01.jpg)
Going on Trial: Epidiolex for autism; arbaclofen tests; pain monitoring
This month’s issue of Going on Trial takes a sneak peek at some early null results from a small trial of a cannabidiol-based drug for autism, among other recent drug developments.
Trials of arbaclofen for autism yield mixed results
Autistic children taking the drug showed improvements in some behaviors but not in their social skills.
![Photograph of white pills and blister pack on blue pastel colored background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/844-arbaclofen-CR-autism-INSAR.jpg)
Trials of arbaclofen for autism yield mixed results
Autistic children taking the drug showed improvements in some behaviors but not in their social skills.
Brain signatures of rare variants hint at cardiovascular risk
People whose brains look like those of people who carry autism-linked copy number variants also share markers of heart health.
![Research diagram of brains viewed from overhead and in profile.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/844-CNVs-final-1.png)
Brain signatures of rare variants hint at cardiovascular risk
People whose brains look like those of people who carry autism-linked copy number variants also share markers of heart health.
Autism and the cell’s antennae
Many autism-linked genes are somehow tied to cilia, the tiny hair-like sensors that stud a cell’s surface. But the question remains whether, and how, cilia differences contribute to the condition.
![Lab images of cilia.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Cilia-Seabra-lab-autism-844.jpg)
Autism and the cell’s antennae
Many autism-linked genes are somehow tied to cilia, the tiny hair-like sensors that stud a cell’s surface. But the question remains whether, and how, cilia differences contribute to the condition.
Common and rare autism-linked variants share functional effects
Within the 16p region of the genome, the two types of variants similarly decrease neuronal gene expression — an effect that may reflect their spatial relationship.
![X chromosome against a dark background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Chromosome-16p-research-autism-844.jpg)
Common and rare autism-linked variants share functional effects
Within the 16p region of the genome, the two types of variants similarly decrease neuronal gene expression — an effect that may reflect their spatial relationship.
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.
![Geometric black-and-white brain model over a grid.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/autism-dont-eat-me-cells-brain-enlargement-844-1.png)
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.
Gene in autism hotspot regulates neuronal migration
Restoring the gene, TAOK2, in mice missing an autism-linked region of chromosome 16 normalizes neuronal movement during development.
Gene in autism hotspot regulates neuronal migration
Restoring the gene, TAOK2, in mice missing an autism-linked region of chromosome 16 normalizes neuronal movement during development.
Autism’s genetic heterogeneity evident in brain connectivity patterns
The results highlight the importance of subgrouping study participants based on their underlying genetics, the researchers say.
![Conceptual illustration of a door leading from one area of the brain to another area of the brain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/brain-connectivity-patterns-autism-genetic-heterogeneity-844.jpg)
Autism’s genetic heterogeneity evident in brain connectivity patterns
The results highlight the importance of subgrouping study participants based on their underlying genetics, the researchers say.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cracking the code of the extracellular matrix
Despite evidence for a role in plasticity and other crucial functions, many neuroscientists still view these proteins as “brain goop.” The field needs technical advances and a shift in scientific thinking to move beyond this outdated perspective.
![Colorful illustration of a latticework of proteins.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ECM-Molofsky-neuroscience-1200-1024x692.png)
Cracking the code of the extracellular matrix
Despite evidence for a role in plasticity and other crucial functions, many neuroscientists still view these proteins as “brain goop.” The field needs technical advances and a shift in scientific thinking to move beyond this outdated perspective.
Huntington’s disease gene variants past a certain size poison select cells
The findings—providing “the next step in the whole pathway”—help explain the disease’s late onset and offer hope that it has an extended therapeutic window.
![A repeated DNA strand extends farther from the left side of the image with each iteration.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1200-hungintons-disease-repeats-cell-death-neuroscience-1024x683.png)
Huntington’s disease gene variants past a certain size poison select cells
The findings—providing “the next step in the whole pathway”—help explain the disease’s late onset and offer hope that it has an extended therapeutic window.
X marks the spot in search for autism variants
Genetic variants on the X chromosome, including those in the gene DDX53, contribute to autism’s gender imbalance, two new studies suggest.
![Research image highlighting different brain regions.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1200-transmitter-neuroscience-DDX53-genetic-variants-1024x683.png)
X marks the spot in search for autism variants
Genetic variants on the X chromosome, including those in the gene DDX53, contribute to autism’s gender imbalance, two new studies suggest.