Synapses
Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis
Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.
![Research image of excitatory synapses in the prefrontal cortex.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fig2BD3BD-1200-1024x692.webp)
Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis
Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.
Connectivity takes U-turn in people with rare autism-linked mutations
Patterns of brain connectivity shift during puberty in people with deletion of the 22q11.2 chromosomal region.
![Research image of brain activity](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1200_connectivity-1024x683.png)
Connectivity takes U-turn in people with rare autism-linked mutations
Patterns of brain connectivity shift during puberty in people with deletion of the 22q11.2 chromosomal region.
CRISPR gives autism-linked genes a boost, rescues functioning
A modified form of the gene-editing tool increases the expression of CHD8 and SCN2A, showing potential for autism therapies.
![Research image of two fluorescent-stained organoids.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fig1F-clean-1200-1024x692.webp)
CRISPR gives autism-linked genes a boost, rescues functioning
A modified form of the gene-editing tool increases the expression of CHD8 and SCN2A, showing potential for autism therapies.
Microglial overreaction to atypical neurons may drive autism
In mice and organoids lacking a neuronal protein, microglia prune synapses to excess.
![Research image of microglia in mice.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1200-microglia-pruning-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Microglial overreaction to atypical neurons may drive autism
In mice and organoids lacking a neuronal protein, microglia prune synapses to excess.
Synaptic protein’s shape-shifting skills propel plasticity
SYNGAP supports learning without tapping its eponymous “GAP” enzymatic activity, according to a new study.
Synaptic protein’s shape-shifting skills propel plasticity
SYNGAP supports learning without tapping its eponymous “GAP” enzymatic activity, according to a new study.
Autism-linked perturbations converge on cell skeleton and RNA-binding proteins
The findings solidify the idea that autism-linked mutations affect brain activity by way of several key shared mechanisms.
![A research image of autism-linked genes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/v2-1200-spectrum-autism-genes-microtubules-1024x683.webp)
Autism-linked perturbations converge on cell skeleton and RNA-binding proteins
The findings solidify the idea that autism-linked mutations affect brain activity by way of several key shared mechanisms.
What goes up must come down: New marker flags decreased neural activity
Phosphorylation of the metabolic enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase inversely correlates with neural activity, offering scientists a tool to study inhibition for the first time.
![A research image of a mouse brain under anesthesia](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-marker-of-inhibiton-landscape-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x683.webp)
What goes up must come down: New marker flags decreased neural activity
Phosphorylation of the metabolic enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase inversely correlates with neural activity, offering scientists a tool to study inhibition for the first time.
Top autism-linked genes join forces to shape synaptic plasticity
The protein products of ANK2 and SCN2A interact to regulate dendritic excitability.
![A research image of neuronal dendrites in mice.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-spectrum-autism-transmitter-neuroscience-gene-convergence-Scn2a-Ank2-1024x683.webp)
Top autism-linked genes join forces to shape synaptic plasticity
The protein products of ANK2 and SCN2A interact to regulate dendritic excitability.
Noisy brain may underlie some of autism’s sensory features
Random fluctuations in neuronal activity are more variable in a fragile X mouse model than in wildtype mice.
![Two hands hold a mouse.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-spectrum-autism-neuroscience-transmitter-endogenous-noise-mice-neurons-1024x683.webp)
Noisy brain may underlie some of autism’s sensory features
Random fluctuations in neuronal activity are more variable in a fragile X mouse model than in wildtype mice.
Immune-activation model mice escape infantile amnesia, retain early memories
Male pups born to mothers treated with immune-stimulating molecules show autism-like behaviors and, unlike wildtype animals, do not lose memories formed during early life.
![A research image of a mouse brain](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-spectrum-neuroscience-autism-transmitter-infantile-amnesia-copy-1024x683.webp)
Immune-activation model mice escape infantile amnesia, retain early memories
Male pups born to mothers treated with immune-stimulating molecules show autism-like behaviors and, unlike wildtype animals, do not lose memories formed during early life.
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.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
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.
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.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
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.
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.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
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.