Astrocytes
‘SNAP’ dance of astrocytes and neurons falls out of step with age, disease
The findings add to growing evidence that astrocytes are star players in cognition.
‘SNAP’ dance of astrocytes and neurons falls out of step with age, disease
Dispute erupts over role of sticky proteins in astrocytes
But multiple independent researchers say they are not convinced by its results, which fail to confirm high-profile findings from 2017.
Dispute erupts over role of sticky proteins in astrocytes
Latest ‘prime-editing’ tools tackle delivery, safety issues
The gene-editing advances make it easier to target specific tissues in mice and detect off-target effects.
Latest ‘prime-editing’ tools tackle delivery, safety issues
Astrocytes fuel erratic firing in fragile X neurons
A shift in astrocyte secretions may explain the atypical firing patterns of neurons derived from people with fragile X syndrome.
Astrocytes fuel erratic firing in fragile X neurons
Beyond the bench: At school with Verónica Martínez Cerdeño
Spectrum caught up with the University of California, Davis professor about her passion for volunteering in underserved schools, birding and fossil-hunting.
Beyond the bench: At school with Verónica Martínez Cerdeño
Organoids identify potential therapies, circuit flaws for autism-linked syndromes
Brain cell clusters serve as drug screens and reveal connectivity differences for autism-linked conditions, two new models show.
Organoids identify potential therapies, circuit flaws for autism-linked syndromes
Mouse studies cast astrocytes as stars of sensory perception
Data from two separate research teams suggest the cells are key to sensory hypersensitivity in fragile X syndrome.
Mouse studies cast astrocytes as stars of sensory perception
How star cells’ secretions may stunt neurons: Q&A with Nicola Allen
Non-neuronal brain cells called astrocytes secrete proteins that seem to hamper the growth of neurons in people with autism-related syndromes. These proteins could be new drug targets, Allen says.
How star cells’ secretions may stunt neurons: Q&A with Nicola Allen
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
Glial cells star in autism-linked gene expression analysis
Many genes linked to autism are switched on in the brain's glia, cells that help neurons develop and synapses form.
Glial cells star in autism-linked gene expression analysis
Explore more from The Transmitter
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.
Cocaine, morphine commandeer neurons normally activated by food, water in mice
Confirming a long-held hypothesis, repeated exposure to the drugs alters neurons in the nucleus accumbens, the brain’s reward center, and curbs an animal’s urge for sustenance.
Cocaine, morphine commandeer neurons normally activated by food, water in mice
Confirming a long-held hypothesis, repeated exposure to the drugs alters neurons in the nucleus accumbens, the brain’s reward center, and curbs an animal’s urge for sustenance.
X chromosome inactivation; motor difficulties in 16p11.2 duplication and deletion; oligodendroglia
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 6 May.
X chromosome inactivation; motor difficulties in 16p11.2 duplication and deletion; oligodendroglia
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 6 May.