Macrocephaly
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Zebrafish point to new gene involved in brain overgrowth, autism
The gene, YTHDF2, has not previously been linked to autism.
![Three scans of zebrafish brains.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/844-lede-ashg-zebrafish-brain-overgrowth-gene-autism.png)
Zebrafish point to new gene involved in brain overgrowth, autism
The gene, YTHDF2, has not previously been linked to autism.
New diagnostic code for PTEN syndrome may spur research
The code may help scientists identify people with the autism-linked condition and recruit them into clinical trials.
![A woman in a lab coat types at a computer.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PTEN-syndrome-new-diagnostic-code-research-autism-844.jpg)
New diagnostic code for PTEN syndrome may spur research
The code may help scientists identify people with the autism-linked condition and recruit them into clinical trials.
Different forms of autism have opposite problems with brain precursor cells
The cells’ altered proliferation rates hint at ways to diagnose and potentially treat autism earlier.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/autism-brain-precursor-cells-844.png)
Different forms of autism have opposite problems with brain precursor cells
The cells’ altered proliferation rates hint at ways to diagnose and potentially treat autism earlier.
Novel gene linked to brain size in autistic people
The gene, YTHDF2, may be one of several that contribute to an autism subtype marked by an unusually big brain.
![Three views of zebrafish.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Megalencephaly-zebrafish-autism-844.jpg)
Novel gene linked to brain size in autistic people
The gene, YTHDF2, may be one of several that contribute to an autism subtype marked by an unusually big brain.
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.
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.