Autism-linked genes expressed in thalamus make an impact, and more

Deep focus: Subcortical brain structures contribute to autism more than previously appreciated, according to two new preprints. One study used single-cell RNA sequencing to identify altered gene expression and found that excitatory neurons in the thalamus and hypothalamus are particularly enriched in autism-linked genes, along with cortical regions. The other study used a different method of transcriptomic analysis to further highlight the abundance of autism-linked genes in the thalamus. These results add to work that The Transmitter reported on late last year highlighting the importance of looking beyond the cortex for brain regions and neural pathways that play a role in autism. 

Autism research spotted this week: 

• “Translatome profiling reveals opposing alterations in inhibitory and excitatory neurons of fragile X mice and identifies EPAC2 as a therapeutic target” Neuron 
• “Multimodal imaging reveals resilient memory networks in carriers of pathogenic ARID1B variants” Translational Psychiatry
• “Emergence of long- and short-range functional connectivity shapes neonatal brain gradients” bioRxiv
• “Endogenous retrovirus-derived RNA-DNA hybrids induce microglial synaptic pruning in autism models” Neuron
• “Autism-like phenotypes and increased NMDAR2D expression in mice with KDM5B histone lysine demethylase deficiency” Science Advances
• “The hidden architecture of brain structural variability in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: A multi-site study” medRxiv
• “Targeting UBE3A and downstream estrogen receptor-β signaling to restore oligodendroglial homeostasis in Angelman syndrome” bioRxiv
  See also: “How oligodendrocytes may shape autism”
• “Short naps, long hours: How autism clinics squeeze Medicaid dollars out of preschoolers” The New York Times
  See also: “Private equity harms autism service market” and  “Head of company that accredits autism service providers resigns after article retraction”