SFN 2015
Neuron tag may shield synapses from brain’s pruning shears
A protective molecular tag on neurons can prevent microglia, the brain’s immune cells, from trimming away their connections with other neurons.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151018SfNDontEatMe-1120.jpg)
Neuron tag may shield synapses from brain’s pruning shears
Three autism mouse models marked by defects in same circuit
Problems with social interactions stem from faulty wiring of a single circuit spanning distant brain regions, results from three mouse models of autism suggest.
![mouse with a sensor connected to brain](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151022SFNCircuitDefects-844.jpg)
Three autism mouse models marked by defects in same circuit
Network analysis gives clues to other ailments in autism
Genes linked to autism are associated with a variety of other ailments, including cancer, heart conditions, autoimmune disorders and gut problems.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151020-Network-844.jpg)
Network analysis gives clues to other ailments in autism
Maternal immune molecule triggers autism symptoms in male mice
Rare antibodies taken from the blood of women who have a child with autism cause brain structure changes and autism-like symptoms in male mice.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/20151021SFNMaternalAntibodiesv2-844.jpg)
Maternal immune molecule triggers autism symptoms in male mice
Over-synched brains trigger out-of-step social behavior
People with autism show excessively synchronized activity between brain regions while conversing with others.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151022SFNConversationSynchrony-844.jpg)
Over-synched brains trigger out-of-step social behavior
Male mice more vulnerable to tilt of gut-brain axis
Early disruption of the microbes that inhabit the gut can alter a mouse’s sociability long term.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151022SFNGutBrainLink-844.jpg)
Male mice more vulnerable to tilt of gut-brain axis
For autism mouse models, gender matters
The mutation that leads to Angelman syndrome may affect the brains of female mice more severely than those of male mice.
Autism model reveals brain processes behind ‘super’ skills
Structural changes in the connections between neurons may underlie the enhanced learning and motor skills of a mouse model of autism.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151021SFNMecP2Duplicationv3-844.jpg)
Autism model reveals brain processes behind ‘super’ skills
One form of immune gene tracks with autism traits
A variant in a gene that regulates immune responses is more common in children with autism than in those without this disorder.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151021-SwedishSNP-844.jpg)
One form of immune gene tracks with autism traits
Prairie vole study digs up link between Prozac, oxytocin
Prairie vole pups exposed to the antidepressant fluoxetine in the womb show autism-like behaviors and lose some receptors for oxytocin and vasopressin.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20151021SSRIPrairieVolesv2-844.jpg)
Prairie vole study digs up link between Prozac, oxytocin
Explore more from The Transmitter
Pinning down ‘profound autism’ for reliable research: Q&A with Matthew Siegel
A clear and actionable definition for the term could enhance research and improve care, Matthew Siegel says.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1200-lede-siegel-qa-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Pinning down ‘profound autism’ for reliable research: Q&A with Matthew Siegel
A clear and actionable definition for the term could enhance research and improve care, Matthew Siegel says.
2024 Kavli Prize awarded for research on face-selective brain areas
Studies by Nancy Kanwisher, Winrich Freiwald and Doris Tsao revealed how the brains of humans and other primates identify faces and helped establish an understanding of brain specialization.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/KavliPrize-1200-rearranged-1024x692.webp)
2024 Kavli Prize awarded for research on face-selective brain areas
Studies by Nancy Kanwisher, Winrich Freiwald and Doris Tsao revealed how the brains of humans and other primates identify faces and helped establish an understanding of brain specialization.
At the end of the earth with Paul-Antoine Libourel
The French researcher’s accomplishments working with chinstrap penguins in the Antarctic highlight the importance of recording sleep in the wild.
![A photograph of Paul-Antoine Libourel](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Lede-Libourel-1200-1024x692.webp)
At the end of the earth with Paul-Antoine Libourel
The French researcher’s accomplishments working with chinstrap penguins in the Antarctic highlight the importance of recording sleep in the wild.