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Cerebellar SHANK3; telehealth coaching for caregivers; psychedelics

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the last two weeks of December.

By Jill Adams
2 January 2025 | 2 min read
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https://doi.org/10.53053/AICH8288 https://doi.org/10.53053/AICH8288 - opens a new tab Cite this article
  • Administering valproic acid to pregnant mice changed the expression of 7,300 genes in fetal pups’ brains, including genes linked to autism or brain development. Translational Psychiatry
  • Mice missing the autism-linked gene SHANK3 show motor deficits and repetitive and anxiety-like behaviors that are more prominent in adult than in juvenile mice and are paralleled by altered neuronal activity in the cerebellum. Molecular Autism
  • Researchers in South Africa report how they adapted an autism-caregiver coaching program for delivery by telehealth. Spectrum covered the program before the COVID-19 pandemic forced this adaptation. Autism
Research image of a mossy fiber terminal in the cerebellar granule cell layer.
Moss garden: SHANK3 is expressed around mossy fiber terminals—carrying type 1 (pink) or type 2 (blue) glutamate transporters—in the cerebellar granule cell layer.
  • Psychedelic drugs such as MDMA and psilocybin appeared to relieve social anxiety in autistic people in preliminary trials. Spectrum reported on the evidence to date in 2022. Science
  • Newborn mice carrying FMR1 variants show normal social vocalization if their dams were treated with bumetanide while pregnant. After puberty, however, the same mice show reduced social interactions. Genomic Psychiatry
  • “As the number of autistic adults continues to rise, and increasing numbers of autistic adults seek out clinical and community services, high-quality research and clinical services focused on this population should be a priority for psychological science and practice.” American Psychologist

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