SFN 2022

Recent articles

Single gene insufficient to account for dup15q, Angelman traits

UBE3A, a key gene associated with both autism-linked conditions, can explain most — but not all — of the syndromes’ atypical neuronal properties.

By Angie Voyles Askham
21 March 2023 | 6 min read
Geometric black-and-white brain model over a grid.

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.

By Peter Hess
22 November 2022 | 4 min read
Light micrograph of microglia cells stained with Rio Hortega’s silver carbonate method.

Autism’s sex bias tied to glial, immune cell gene expression

The function of microglia and astrocytes in the brain may mediate the intersection of sex-differential biology and autism biology.

By Angie Voyles Askham
22 November 2022 | 3 min read
Grid of nine mri scans of mouse brains.

Shared brain structure, connectivity hint at autism subgroups

Using imaging methods to sort mouse models of autism may help identify subtypes of autistic people with similar underlying biology.

By Angie Voyles Askham
21 November 2022 | 4 min read
Image of organoids modeling CDKL5 deficiency disorder.

Organoids identify potential therapies, circuit flaws for autism-linked syndromes

Brain cell clusters serve as drug screens and reveal connectivity differences for autism-linked conditions, two new models show.

By Peter Hess
21 November 2022 | 3 min read
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Subtyping autism using fMRI: A quick take at SfN with Marco Pagani

Pagani used mouse models to connect autism etiologies to brain connectivity alterations and then found similar alterations in people with idiopathic forms of the condition.

By Spectrum
18 November 2022 | 1 min watch

Zebrafish social behavior swims into mainstream

New studies bolster the idea that zebrafish models can say something meaningful about social behavior in autism.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
17 November 2022 | 6 min read
An older woman with gray hair sits on a couch and speaks with a clinician.

Brain’s memory center flags autistic adults at risk for cognitive decline

Brain scans of the hippocampus reveal autistic people who are at increased risk of cognitive problems as they get older.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
17 November 2022 | 4 min read
Two white mice socialize.

Autism genes converge on disruptions in social brain circuit

The circuit linking the prefrontal cortex and part of the thalamus is impaired in mice raised in social isolation and in mice with mutations in the FMR1 or TSC2 genes.

By Peter Hess
17 November 2022 | 4 min read
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Screening zebrafish autism models: A quick take at SfN with Ellen Hoffman

Zebrafish with mutations in 10 different autism-linked genes show a range of unique and shared phenotypes.

By Spectrum
16 November 2022 | 2 min watch

Explore more from The Transmitter

Double-duty neurons in primary olfactory cortex pick up on more than just scent

The cells recognize not only odors, such as bananas and black licorice—but also images and words associated with those smells, according to single-neuron recordings from 17 people.

By Angie Voyles Askham
9 October 2024 | 7 min read

How neuroscience comics add KA-POW! to the field: Q&A with Kanaka Rajan

The artistic approach can help explain complex ideas frame by frame without diluting the science, Rajan says.

By Olivia Gieger
9 October 2024 | 7 min read

Former Columbia University psychiatrist committed research misconduct, says federal watchdog

Bret Rutherford, whose research was halted following a suicide in a clinical trial, falsely reported participant eligibility, according to the U.S. Office of Research Integrity.

By Brendan Borrell, Ellie Kincaid
8 October 2024 | 3 min read