Genes
Recent articles
Mutation in top autism-linked gene may alter eye reflex
The discovery could help clinicians diagnose children who carry mutations in the gene, called SCN2A, and gauge their responses to potential therapies.
![A slice of a cerebellum.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-lede-cerebellar-plasticity-autism-1024x692.png)
Mutation in top autism-linked gene may alter eye reflex
The discovery could help clinicians diagnose children who carry mutations in the gene, called SCN2A, and gauge their responses to potential therapies.
Some social issues in DYRK1A model mice stem from faulty inhibitory circuits
Alterations in inhibitory circuits and difficulties in social recognition characterize mice missing one copy of DYRK1A, a gene linked to autism.
![A research image of a mouse hippocampus](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1200-DYRK1A-autism.webp)
Some social issues in DYRK1A model mice stem from faulty inhibitory circuits
Alterations in inhibitory circuits and difficulties in social recognition characterize mice missing one copy of DYRK1A, a gene linked to autism.
UBE3A’s link to synaptic pruning bolstered by fly study
Increasing or reducing the levels of the UBE3A gene, which is associated with autism and autism-related syndromes, results in altered patterns of synaptic pruning — a process that snips away brain cell connections.
![Research image of presynapses on sensory neurons in fruit flies.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-UBE3A-autism-synaptic-pruning-fly-study.png)
UBE3A’s link to synaptic pruning bolstered by fly study
Increasing or reducing the levels of the UBE3A gene, which is associated with autism and autism-related syndromes, results in altered patterns of synaptic pruning — a process that snips away brain cell connections.
Head size parts autism into two major subtypes
An imbalance in the number of excitatory neurons in early brain development may account for the difference.
![Research image of organoids in the forebrain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-head-size-autism-two-major-subtypes.png)
Head size parts autism into two major subtypes
An imbalance in the number of excitatory neurons in early brain development may account for the difference.
Skewed signaling in striatum may spawn repetitive behaviors
Synaptic changes in the brain region could drive a core trait of fragile X syndrome, a new mouse study suggests.
![Research image of neurons in mice.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-striatum-signaling-repetitive-behaviors-autism.png)
Skewed signaling in striatum may spawn repetitive behaviors
Synaptic changes in the brain region could drive a core trait of fragile X syndrome, a new mouse study suggests.
Father’s genes may drive sociability in male monkeys
The findings in rhesus macaque monkeys may provide clues to sex differences in the heredity of social behavior in people.
![Photograph of a family of rhesus macaque monkeys.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1200-rhesus-macaque-social-functioning-autism.png)
Father’s genes may drive sociability in male monkeys
The findings in rhesus macaque monkeys may provide clues to sex differences in the heredity of social behavior in people.
New test taps nose pokes as a proxy for social motivation in mice
Over one hour, a particularly motivated mouse poked its nose 350 times into a hole in the test chamber in the hopes of meeting a playmate.
![Position heatmaps of mice performing a behavioral assay.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1200-social-motivation-assay-autism.png)
New test taps nose pokes as a proxy for social motivation in mice
Over one hour, a particularly motivated mouse poked its nose 350 times into a hole in the test chamber in the hopes of meeting a playmate.
Abundant motor proteins disrupt cries in FOXP2 mice
Knocking down the gene that codes for the proteins normalizes the vocalizations.
![Research image of neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1200-lede-foxp2-autism.png)
Abundant motor proteins disrupt cries in FOXP2 mice
Knocking down the gene that codes for the proteins normalizes the vocalizations.
‘Gain-of-function’ mutation spawns autism traits
The mutation increases the activity of an autism-linked protein and leads to social difficulties and other behavioral differences in mice.
![Research image of interneurons in the outer layer of a human brain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1200-6c-UBE3A-autism.png)
‘Gain-of-function’ mutation spawns autism traits
The mutation increases the activity of an autism-linked protein and leads to social difficulties and other behavioral differences in mice.
‘VIP’ interneurons may drive autism traits in Dravet syndrome
The inhibitory cells misfire and contribute to social difficulties in mice that model the syndrome.
![A brown mouse looks away from a white mouse in a cage to its left.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1200-interneuron-autism-dravet.jpg)
‘VIP’ interneurons may drive autism traits in Dravet syndrome
The inhibitory cells misfire and contribute to social difficulties in mice that model the syndrome.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Assembloids illuminate circuit-level changes linked to autism, neurodevelopment
These complex combinations of organoids afford a closer look at how gene alterations affect certain brain networks.
Assembloids illuminate circuit-level changes linked to autism, neurodevelopment
These complex combinations of organoids afford a closer look at how gene alterations affect certain brain networks.
Rajesh Rao reflects on predictive brains, neural interfaces and the future of human intelligence
Twenty-five years ago, Rajesh Rao proposed a seminal theory of how brains could implement predictive coding for perception. His modern version zeroes in on actions.
Rajesh Rao reflects on predictive brains, neural interfaces and the future of human intelligence
Twenty-five years ago, Rajesh Rao proposed a seminal theory of how brains could implement predictive coding for perception. His modern version zeroes in on actions.
In memoriam: Yves Frégnac, influential and visionary French neuroscientist
Frégnac, who died on 18 October at the age of 73, built his career by meeting neuroscience’s complexity straight on.
![Portrait of Yves Fregnac](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Fregnac-obit-1200-featured-1024x692.png)
In memoriam: Yves Frégnac, influential and visionary French neuroscientist
Frégnac, who died on 18 October at the age of 73, built his career by meeting neuroscience’s complexity straight on.