Spoken version

an image of a neuron
Spectrum Microphone

Neurons struggle to spike without fragile X gene

FMR1 loss impairs sodium channels, hindering mouse neurons from generating the electrical signals needed to transmit information.

By Laura Dattaro
17 February 2023 | 3 min read
Research image of cell bodies of rett-like neurons, some of which were treated with epigenome editors.
Spectrum Microphone

Epigenome edits unmute MECP2 in Rett-like neurons

The approach removes methyl tags from the gene and shields it from other silencing factors without changing the gene itself, raising hopes for a new treatment.

By Nora Bradford
16 February 2023 | 5 min read
Research image shows elevated expression of certain genes, shown in pink and green, along with expected gene expression, shown in blue.
Spectrum Microphone

Autism-linked MYT1L mutations prompt ‘identity crisis’ in budding brain cells

Both human and mouse progenitor cells with the alterations struggle to become neurons and instead express genes that are typically active only in muscle or the heart.

By Laura Dattaro
14 February 2023 | 5 min read
Research image of the protein CHD2.
Spectrum Microphone

Autism-linked chromatin regulators may moonlight as microtubule influencers

Five autism-linked genes widely known as chromatin regulators appear to also shape the cell’s internal skeleton.

By Alla Katsnelson
8 February 2023 | 4 min read
Illustration of neurons.
Spectrum Microphone

Chromatin remodeling tied to altered splicing in autism model

Exposing neurons to valproic acid, a well-known environmental risk factor for autism, disrupts their ability to generate different proteins from the same gene.

By Giorgia Guglielmi
7 February 2023 | 5 min read
Spectrum Microphone

Fishing for protein partners nets clues to autism

Connections between 13 autism-linked proteins and their binding partners in excitatory neurons implicate a new molecular pathway.

By Holly Barker
6 February 2023 | 5 min read
A white mouse, brown mouse and black mouse stand inside a wooden circle against a blue background.
Spectrum Microphone

CHD8 mutation in 33 mouse strains yields range of traits

The findings put genetic background forward to help explain autism’s heterogeneity.

By Peter Hess
3 February 2023 | 5 min read
Headshot of Johnny Matson, former editor-in-chief of Research in Developmental Disabilities and Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Spectrum Microphone

Prolific autism researcher has two dozen papers retracted

Elsevier’s retractions focus on peer review and conflicts of interest.

By Shaena Montanari
2 February 2023 | 6 min read
A photograph of a person preparing for an fMRI scan
Brain imaging Microphone

Head motion mars most fMRI results, even after correction

A new measure shows how greatly movement influences associations between traits and brain activity, revealing abundant false positives and false negatives.

By Jef Akst
30 January 2023 | 7 min listen

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.

By Laura Dattaro
26 July 2024 | 7 min read

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.

By Cathleen O’Grady
25 July 2024 | 8 min read

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.

By Angie Voyles Askham
24 July 2024 | 6 min read