SFN 2008

Recent articles

Size of infant’s amygdala predicts language ability

A child's language ability correlates with the volume of his or her amygdala ― the small, deep brain region that is strongly associated with emotion processing ― according to an unpublished five-year longitudinal study presented Wednesday afternoon at the Society for Neuroscience meeting.

By Virginia Hughes
21 November 2008 | 4 min read

Beyond mirror neurons

High-functioning children with autism may understand another personʼs intention when, for example, that person reaches for a glass of water ― a simple, goal-directed task ― without help from the mirror neuron system, according to research reported Tuesday at the Society for Neuroscience meeting.

By Kelly Rae Chi
20 November 2008 | 2 min read

Finding the right (synaptic) partners

Researchers are narrowing in on a pool of genes that may be involved in helping neurons find their targets, according to unpublished work presented today in a poster session at the Society for Neuroscience meeting.

By Kelly Rae Chi
19 November 2008 | 2 min read

A drug that lasts for days

A new slow-release form of the drug risperidone ― an antipsychotic given to people with schizophrenia, autism and other psychiatric conditions ― lasts in the blood days instead of hours, according to research presented today at the Society for Neuroscience meeting.

By Kelly Rae Chi
19 November 2008 | 2 min read

microRNAs in mental illness

Some small fragments of RNA, called microRNAs, are under-expressed in people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder compared with controls, according to unpublished research based on postmortem brain tissue presented this morning at the Society for Neuroscience meeting.

By Virginia Hughes
19 November 2008 | 3 min read

Pathways to plasticity

The molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity ― the ability of neurons to change the strength of their connections ― can vary across different inhibitory neural circuits as much as they can vary across excitatory neural circuits, according to research presented this morning at the Society for Neuroscience meeting.

By Kelly Rae Chi
18 November 2008 | 2 min read

Lithium’s effect on fragile X mice

Lithium treatment reverses some of the behavioral and brain-cell abnormalities in mouse models of fragile X syndrome ― an inherited form of mental retardation that includes learning deficits, aggressiveness, and social withdrawal ― according to research presented today at the Society for Neuroscience meeting.

By Virginia Hughes
18 November 2008 | 2 min read

Creating stem cells to study autism

A team of scientists is reprogramming adult stem cells generated from tiny skin samples of people with autism to form nerve cells, creating a powerful research tool for the disorder.

By Virginia Hughes
18 November 2008 | 2 min read

Clinical trial planned for Rett syndrome treatment

Treatment with the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) greatly improves the health of mouse models of Rett syndrome ― a regressive genetic disorder that causes mental retardation, respiratory problems, and autistic features ― according to unpublished researched presented Monday at the Society for Neuroscience conference in Washington, D.C.

By Virginia Hughes
18 November 2008 | 3 min read

Altering epigenetic changes

Targeting epigenetic mechanisms may offer potential new therapies for people with developmental disorders including autism, researchers said today at the Society for Neuroscience meeting.

By Kelly Rae Chi
17 November 2008 | 2 min read

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