CHD8
CRISPR gives autism-linked genes a boost, rescues functioning
A modified form of the gene-editing tool increases the expression of CHD8 and SCN2A, showing potential for autism therapies.
![Research image of two fluorescent-stained organoids.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fig1F-clean-1200-1024x692.webp)
CRISPR gives autism-linked genes a boost, rescues functioning
A modified form of the gene-editing tool increases the expression of CHD8 and SCN2A, showing potential for autism therapies.
Autism-related genes converge on microglia and dopamine in zebrafish
The findings add to the growing evidence that genes with disparate functions can play similar roles in brain development.
![Research image of zebrafish forebrains.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/844-lede.png)
Autism-related genes converge on microglia and dopamine in zebrafish
The findings add to the growing evidence that genes with disparate functions can play similar roles in brain development.
Chromatin remodeling tied to altered splicing in autism model
Exposing neurons to valproic acid, a well-known environmental risk factor for autism, disrupts their ability to generate different proteins from the same gene.
![Illustration of neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/844-autism-chromatin-remodeling-altered-splicing.jpg)
Chromatin remodeling tied to altered splicing in autism model
Exposing neurons to valproic acid, a well-known environmental risk factor for autism, disrupts their ability to generate different proteins from the same gene.
CHD8 mutation in 33 mouse strains yields range of traits
The findings put genetic background forward to help explain autism’s heterogeneity.
![A white mouse, brown mouse and black mouse stand inside a wooden circle against a blue background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/844-CHD8-mutation-autism-traits-mice.png)
CHD8 mutation in 33 mouse strains yields range of traits
The findings put genetic background forward to help explain autism’s heterogeneity.
Flexible genomic architecture undergoes major redesigns during cerebellum development
A new atlas reveals how the structural shake-ups within a cell’s genome differ by cell type and brain region over time.
![Three-dimensional structure of cells in the cerebellum.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/3D-Genome-autism-844.jpg)
Flexible genomic architecture undergoes major redesigns during cerebellum development
A new atlas reveals how the structural shake-ups within a cell’s genome differ by cell type and brain region over time.
Community Newsletter: Autism gene lists, genetic diversity in mouse models, an autism biomarker
This week, we’re bringing you some labors of love: a thread lamenting the autism field’s focus on gene lists, a study introducing genetic diversity in mouse models, and long-awaited results from a biomarker study.
![An illustration of two scientists carrying a larger-than-life DNA strand on their shoulders.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/844_CommNL_0904.jpg)
Community Newsletter: Autism gene lists, genetic diversity in mouse models, an autism biomarker
This week, we’re bringing you some labors of love: a thread lamenting the autism field’s focus on gene lists, a study introducing genetic diversity in mouse models, and long-awaited results from a biomarker study.
‘Double duty’ autism-linked genes upend conventional characterizations
What these genes do and how they affect autism depends on when in development they’re studied, despite what classic ‘gene ontology’ analyses say.
![Several strands of DNA with different openings at different points to show different functions for the same gene at different points in time](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/gene-timing-ontology-trends-autism-lede-844.jpg)
‘Double duty’ autism-linked genes upend conventional characterizations
What these genes do and how they affect autism depends on when in development they’re studied, despite what classic ‘gene ontology’ analyses say.
Heart anomalies abound in mouse models of autism
Of nine genetic models examined in a new study, all had some incidence of cardiac abnormalities. But the problems varied widely depending on the affected genes.
![Ultrasound in black and white shows a pattern.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CardiacAbnormalities844.jpg)
Heart anomalies abound in mouse models of autism
Of nine genetic models examined in a new study, all had some incidence of cardiac abnormalities. But the problems varied widely depending on the affected genes.
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 in early stages of development.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CHD8-haploinsufficiency-844.jpg)
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.
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.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/embargo_844.jpg)
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.
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.