Brain Gene Registry; neurite density; income disparities in autism diagnoses
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 29 April.
By
Jill Adams
30 April 2024 | 2 min read
![Research image of glutaminergic synapses on parvalbumin interneurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FigB-Spotted-1200.webp)
Missed connections: Mice missing the BMP2 gene (right panels) form fewer glutaminergic synapses onto parvalbumin interneurons than do controls (left panels).
- Altered transcription spurred by a variety of autism-linked genes often converges on a small number of developmental pathways, according to a preprint about cortical organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. bioRxiv
- Gene variants linked to autism are also linked to decreased neurite density in the brain, according to a preprint that used UK BioBank data. medRxiv
- Low-income families have a higher prevalence of autism diagnoses than do high-income families, according to an analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
- The U.K. Metropolitan Police are investigating advertisers hawking false claims about stem cell therapy for autism. BBC
- A new resource called the Brain Gene Registry contains genetic and phenotypic data from people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; its goal is to help researchers better characterize the links between genes and conditions such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Speech-processing difficulties in autistic children may be related to altered integration of auditory and visual stimuli, according to a preprint. bioRxiv
- Alterations in executive function in autistic children appear to contribute to the likelihood of having mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression or aggression. Autism
- Mental health conditions affect sleep quality in children with fragile X syndrome, which, in turn, affects daily functioning at school. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Different variants of the SCN2A gene, which are linked to autism and epilepsy, confer different effects on sodium channel function, and different clinical profiles. Brain
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![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ctrl-ASD-1200-1024x692.webp)
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