SFN GC 2021
Lost sleep sparks lasting social problems in SHANK3 mice
Sleep disruption early in life has long-lasting consequences for mice missing a copy of the autism-linked gene SHANK3.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SHANK3-844.jpg)
Lost sleep sparks lasting social problems in SHANK3 mice
Sleep disruption early in life has long-lasting consequences for mice missing a copy of the autism-linked gene SHANK3.
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.
Oxytocin alters brain activity to boost sociability in mice missing autism gene
Infusions of the hormone oxytocin may make mice that model autism more social by normalizing their brain activity patterns.
![Scans of mouse brain slices showing differences in oxytocin levels](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CNTNAP-oxytocin-844.jpg)
Oxytocin alters brain activity to boost sociability in mice missing autism gene
Infusions of the hormone oxytocin may make mice that model autism more social by normalizing their brain activity patterns.
Community newsletter: All about SfN Global Connectome
We dove into what people on social media thought about the SfN Global Connectome 2021 conference -- and its virtual format.
![human brain lights up with connections within a network](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SFNGC2021-844.jpg)
Community newsletter: All about SfN Global Connectome
We dove into what people on social media thought about the SfN Global Connectome 2021 conference -- and its virtual format.
Highlights, missed opportunities: SfN by the tweets
Participants video chatted and tweeted their way through the Society for Neuroscience’s three-day virtual conference this week.
![Brain pattern with people gathering](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/REAXBlog-844.jpg)
Highlights, missed opportunities: SfN by the tweets
Participants video chatted and tweeted their way through the Society for Neuroscience’s three-day virtual conference this week.
Autistic children may have trouble predicting movements
Autistic children may have a harder time catching a ball than non-autistic children do, possibly because they are less able to predict its trajectory.
![girl about to catch a ball](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Motor-844.jpg)
Autistic children may have trouble predicting movements
Autistic children may have a harder time catching a ball than non-autistic children do, possibly because they are less able to predict its trajectory.
Study hints at microbiome differences in children with autism
Children with autism may have a subtly different set of bacteria in their gut than their non-autistic siblings do.
![SEM of faecal bacteria.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/microbiome-844.jpg)
Study hints at microbiome differences in children with autism
Children with autism may have a subtly different set of bacteria in their gut than their non-autistic siblings do.
Autism protein may shape neuronal firing patterns
Cells with excess UBE3A, an autism-linked protein, have atypical firing properties that can be corrected by limiting the protein's levels, according to new research.
![Illustration of firing neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/iPSC-neurons-844.jpg)
Autism protein may shape neuronal firing patterns
Cells with excess UBE3A, an autism-linked protein, have atypical firing properties that can be corrected by limiting the protein's levels, according to new research.
Inability to attend to cues may cause sensory challenges in fragile X mice
Sensory problems in people with fragile X syndrome may stem from hyperactive neurons, a mouse model study suggests.
![Mouse on gray background looks at something out of frame.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/FMRI1Mice844.jpg)
Inability to attend to cues may cause sensory challenges in fragile X mice
Sensory problems in people with fragile X syndrome may stem from hyperactive neurons, a mouse model study suggests.
Malfunctioning neurons mute sound processing in mouse model of Rett syndrome
Female mice missing a copy of the autism-linked gene MECP2 in a specific set of inhibitory neurons have a hard time heeding pups’ calls and herding litters.
![Mouse with her pup](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/MethylCpG-844.jpg)
Malfunctioning neurons mute sound processing in mouse model of Rett syndrome
Female mice missing a copy of the autism-linked gene MECP2 in a specific set of inhibitory neurons have a hard time heeding pups’ calls and herding litters.
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.
![](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.