Excitatory signaling
Brain ‘chimeroids’ reveal person-to-person differences rooted in genetics
These fusions created from multiple donors’ organoids may help scale up comparative brain research.
![Research image of a chimeroid.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chimeroid-Lede-1200-1024x692.webp)
Brain ‘chimeroids’ reveal person-to-person differences rooted in genetics
These fusions created from multiple donors’ organoids may help scale up comparative brain research.
Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis
Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.
![Research image of excitatory synapses in the prefrontal cortex.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fig2BD3BD-1200-1024x692.webp)
Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis
Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.
Opioid receptors may guide formation of gut nervous system in zebrafish
Fish lacking functional copies of the receptors have fewer enteric neurons than usual, but the findings await further validation.
![Research image of enteric neurons in zebrafish.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fig2D-fish-1200-1024x692.webp)
Opioid receptors may guide formation of gut nervous system in zebrafish
Fish lacking functional copies of the receptors have fewer enteric neurons than usual, but the findings await further validation.
RNA drug corrects calcium signaling in chimeric model of Timothy syndrome
The drug, tested in rats that have human neurons, could enter clinical testing as early as next year, researchers say.
![Research image of antisense oligonucleotides.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/TimothySyndrome1200-1024x692.webp)
RNA drug corrects calcium signaling in chimeric model of Timothy syndrome
The drug, tested in rats that have human neurons, could enter clinical testing as early as next year, researchers say.
Autism-linked perturbations converge on cell skeleton and RNA-binding proteins
The findings solidify the idea that autism-linked mutations affect brain activity by way of several key shared mechanisms.
![A research image of autism-linked genes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/v2-1200-spectrum-autism-genes-microtubules-1024x683.webp)
Autism-linked perturbations converge on cell skeleton and RNA-binding proteins
The findings solidify the idea that autism-linked mutations affect brain activity by way of several key shared mechanisms.
Vast diversity of human brain cell types revealed in trove of new datasets
The collection offers a glimpse into differences in cell composition — across people and brain regions — that may shape neural function.
![Research image of various types of cells.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CellCensus_1200.jpg)
Vast diversity of human brain cell types revealed in trove of new datasets
The collection offers a glimpse into differences in cell composition — across people and brain regions — that may shape neural function.
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.
![A research image of a mouse hippocampus](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1200-DYRK1A-autism.webp)
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.
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.
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.
![Research image of neurons in mice.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-striatum-signaling-repetitive-behaviors-autism.png)
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.
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.
![Research images of protein synthesis in mice.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1200-final-neuronal-deafness-fragile-x-protein-surplus-autism-1.png)
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.
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.