Sensory hypersensitivity; FAM53C protein; genomic database from Mexico

Functional brain connectivity does not appear to differ between infants who have autistic siblings and those who do not, according to a small study. Molecular Autism
Scientist Simone Brixius-Anderko writes about getting diagnosed with autism at age 41 and learning to be honest with others and compassionate with herself. eLife
Individual susceptibility to toxins can be assessed using brain organoids comprising cells from different people, according to a preprint. bioRxiv
A previously unrecognized protein called FAM53C regulates the intracellular functions of the protein DYRK1A, an interaction that plays key roles in autism and Down syndrome. Life Science Alliance
A new database documents genome-wide associations from more than 6,000 people across Mexico and shows significant differences from databases dominant in European ancestries. Nature
Transcriptomes from early cortical development reveal hundreds of thousands of unique isoforms, which may inform research on the genetics of neurodevelopmental conditions, according to a preprint. bioRxiv
Young people with autism or anxiety tend to react more strongly to tactile and auditory stimuli than their peers without either condition do. Journal of Neuroscience Research
Changes in trafficking of proteins throughout cells — a process regulated by cell-surface receptors in the VPS10P family — may contribute to neurodevelopmental conditions. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

Telling tails: Beagles with SHANK3 mutations wag their tails less and have higher blood cortisol levels than wildtype beagles.
Two former colleagues have written a biographical memoir about the late autism research pioneer Michael Rutter. Spectrum published a remembrance in 2021, shortly after his death. Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society
Mice missing the SCN1B gene, a model of Dravet syndrome, display altered neuronal activity, including intrinsic excitability and synaptic integration. Journal of Neuroscience
Genetic analysis that reveals autism-linked de novo mutations often leaves parents of autistic children confused about future reproduction — their own and their child’s. Journal of Community Genetics
Researchers propose the “triple empathy problem” to explain poor communication between autistic people and their health-care providers. Autism
Sensory hypersensitivity in mice missing the FMR1 gene, a model of fragile X syndrome, is linked to altered activity of VIP-containing neurons. Journal of Neuroscience
Beagles carrying variants of the autism-linked SHANK3 gene display anxiety and social inhibition. Molecular Psychiatry
The Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics has announced a new partnership with the University of Pennsylvania to develop a novel gene therapy. Cureangelman.org