Epigenetics
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.
![A diagram of green neurnons](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Green-neuron-art-1200-1024x692.webp)
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.
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.
![Research image of organoids in the forebrain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-head-size-autism-two-major-subtypes.png)
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.
Father’s genes may drive sociability in male monkeys
The findings in rhesus macaque monkeys may provide clues to sex differences in the heredity of social behavior in people.
![Photograph of a family of rhesus macaque monkeys.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1200-rhesus-macaque-social-functioning-autism.png)
Father’s genes may drive sociability in male monkeys
The findings in rhesus macaque monkeys may provide clues to sex differences in the heredity of social behavior in people.
Change of heart and mind: Autism’s ties to cardiac defects
Children with congenital heart disease have an increased likelihood of autism. Why?
![Illustration of half of a brain on the left and half of a heart on the right](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1200-trends-heart-defects-autism-1.jpg)
Change of heart and mind: Autism’s ties to cardiac defects
Children with congenital heart disease have an increased likelihood of autism. Why?
Genetic background sways effects of autism-linked mutation
Experiments offer clues to why certain mutations are associated with autism in some people and not others.
![Composite research image of organoids at several stages of development.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/844-PTEN-genetic-background-autism-linked-mutation-final-1.png)
Genetic background sways effects of autism-linked mutation
Experiments offer clues to why certain mutations are associated with autism in some people and not others.
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.
Autism-tied gene ZNF462 keeps developing neurons on track
The gene, linked to a little-known condition called Weiss-Kruszka syndrome, prevents embryonic stem cells from deviating from their neuronal destiny.
![Research image comparing neurons that lack the ZFP462 gene to wildtype neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ZFP462-844-lede.png)
Autism-tied gene ZNF462 keeps developing neurons on track
The gene, linked to a little-known condition called Weiss-Kruszka syndrome, prevents embryonic stem cells from deviating from their neuronal destiny.
Autism brain signature most pronounced in sensory areas
An analysis of 11 cortical regions shows anterior-to-posterior shifts in gene expression linked to autism.
![Pink geometric brain against a blue background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/844-autism-brain-signature-sensory-areas.jpg)
Autism brain signature most pronounced in sensory areas
An analysis of 11 cortical regions shows anterior-to-posterior shifts in gene expression linked to autism.
Genome scan spots common variant differences between autism and ADHD
Common variants in five regions of the genome may determine whether someone has one condition versus the other.
![Conceptual illustration of two DNA helixes with several overlapping portions showing common and differing genes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/844-genome-scan-variant-differences-ADHD-autism.jpg)
Genome scan spots common variant differences between autism and ADHD
Common variants in five regions of the genome may determine whether someone has one condition versus the other.
Largest-yet fragile X mutation in mice confirms model’s shortcomings
A 341-repeat mutation from a person with fragile X does not lead to the syndrome’s traits or function the same way in mice, highlighting a need for different animal models.
![A brown lab mouse perches on a researcher's hand.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/341-repeats-mice-mutations-methylation-fragile-x-844.jpg)
Largest-yet fragile X mutation in mice confirms model’s shortcomings
A 341-repeat mutation from a person with fragile X does not lead to the syndrome’s traits or function the same way in mice, highlighting a need for different animal models.
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.