SFN 2011

Recent articles

Imaging finds cerebellar changes in autism, other disorders

People with autism have structural changes in parts of the cerebellum that are distinct from those seen in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or dyslexia, according to an unpublished meta-analysis presented at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
17 November 2011 | 3 min read

Rett, autism mouse brains mimic human disorders

The brains of mice that model Rett syndrome are smaller than normal overall and have differences in specific regions similar to those seen in people with the disorder, according to unpublished research presented Wednesday at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

By Jessica Wright
17 November 2011 | 3 min read

Rat study suggests mechanism for infection-schizophrenia link

Altered function of a brain receptor may help explain the why infection during pregnancy raises the risk for schizophrenia in the offspring, according to an unpublished rat study presented at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
17 November 2011 | 3 min read

Researchers identify drug candidate for Angelman syndrome

Researchers have identified a compound that shows promise as a treatment for Angelman syndrome, a developmental disorder related to autism. The unpublished results were presented Tuesday at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

By Jessica Wright
17 November 2011 | 3 min read

Video: Birds do it for autism research

Studying bird species such as the zebra finch can help researchers understand language difficulties in autism, Stephanie White told SFARI.org in a video interview at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
17 November 2011 | 1 min read

Researchers map microRNAs in autism brains

Researchers have charted the expression of tiny pieces of RNA in postmortem brain tissue from people with autism, according to unpublished research presented Tuesday at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

By Virginia Hughes
17 November 2011 | 3 min read

Folate low in spinal fluid of children with autism, study says

A small fraction of young children with autism have low levels of folate, a B vitamin, in their cerebrospinal fluid, according to unpublished research presented at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

By Virginia Hughes
17 November 2011 | 3 min read
Image of drosophila.

Fruit flies pin down autism candidates

Looking at flies that express elevated levels of UBE3A, a gene that is duplicated in some people with autism, researchers have identified 81 proteins that may be linked to the disorder, according to unpublished results presented Tuesday at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

By Jessica Wright
17 November 2011 | 3 min read

Video test measures subtleties of social cognition

Social cognition tests using videos of actors performing emotional expressions and scenes can measure subtle impairments characteristic of high-functioning people with autism, according to unpublished research presented at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
16 November 2011 | 4 min read

MET variants influence connectivity in children with autism

Individuals who carry an autism-linked common variant in the MET gene have abnormally low brain connectivity, according to unpublished research presented at the 2011 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

By Virginia Hughes
16 November 2011 | 3 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Illustration of cranes attempting to assemble a structure out of very small black squares.

Reconstructing dopamine’s link to reward

The field is grappling with whether to modify the long-standing theory of reward prediction error—or abandon it entirely.

By Angie Voyles Askham
13 September 2024 | 18 min read
Illustration of cranes attempting to assemble a structure out of very small black squares.

Dopamine and the need for alternative theories

Some experimental findings are inconsistent with the dominant model of reward prediction error, highlighting the need for alternative testable and falsifiable models for dopamine function.

By Vijay Mohan K. Namboodiri
13 September 2024 | 7 min read
Illustration of several structures constructed out of small black squares, with scaffolding on some of the structures.

Does a new theory of dopamine replace the classic model?

My answer would be no, but the model poses challenges that will sharpen our understanding of dopamine and learning.

By Naoshige Uchida
13 September 2024 | 8 min read