SFN 2022
Recent articles
Single gene insufficient to account for dup15q, Angelman traits
UBE3A, a key gene associated with both autism-linked conditions, can explain most — but not all — of the syndromes’ atypical neuronal properties.
Single gene insufficient to account for dup15q, Angelman traits
UBE3A, a key gene associated with both autism-linked conditions, can explain most — but not all — of the syndromes’ atypical neuronal properties.
Excess of ‘don’t eat me’ cell signals may drive brain enlargement in autism
The signal, called CD47, is disrupted in autistic people who have a larger-than-average head.
![Geometric black-and-white brain model over a grid.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/autism-dont-eat-me-cells-brain-enlargement-844-1.png)
Excess of ‘don’t eat me’ cell signals may drive brain enlargement in autism
The signal, called CD47, is disrupted in autistic people who have a larger-than-average head.
Autism’s sex bias tied to glial, immune cell gene expression
The function of microglia and astrocytes in the brain may mediate the intersection of sex-differential biology and autism biology.
![Light micrograph of microglia cells stained with Rio Hortega’s silver carbonate method.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Prenatal-brain-microglia-autism-844.jpg)
Autism’s sex bias tied to glial, immune cell gene expression
The function of microglia and astrocytes in the brain may mediate the intersection of sex-differential biology and autism biology.
Shared brain structure, connectivity hint at autism subgroups
Using imaging methods to sort mouse models of autism may help identify subtypes of autistic people with similar underlying biology.
![Grid of nine mri scans of mouse brains.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/844-sfn22-shared-brain-structure-connectivity-subgroups-autism.png)
Shared brain structure, connectivity hint at autism subgroups
Using imaging methods to sort mouse models of autism may help identify subtypes of autistic people with similar underlying biology.
Organoids identify potential therapies, circuit flaws for autism-linked syndromes
Brain cell clusters serve as drug screens and reveal connectivity differences for autism-linked conditions, two new models show.
![Image of organoids modeling CDKL5 deficiency disorder.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/844-sfn22-organoids.png)
Organoids identify potential therapies, circuit flaws for autism-linked syndromes
Brain cell clusters serve as drug screens and reveal connectivity differences for autism-linked conditions, two new models show.
Subtyping autism using fMRI: A quick take at SfN with Marco Pagani
Pagani used mouse models to connect autism etiologies to brain connectivity alterations and then found similar alterations in people with idiopathic forms of the condition.
Subtyping autism using fMRI: A quick take at SfN with Marco Pagani
Pagani used mouse models to connect autism etiologies to brain connectivity alterations and then found similar alterations in people with idiopathic forms of the condition.
Zebrafish social behavior swims into mainstream
New studies bolster the idea that zebrafish models can say something meaningful about social behavior in autism.
Zebrafish social behavior swims into mainstream
New studies bolster the idea that zebrafish models can say something meaningful about social behavior in autism.
Brain’s memory center flags autistic adults at risk for cognitive decline
Brain scans of the hippocampus reveal autistic people who are at increased risk of cognitive problems as they get older.
![An older woman with gray hair sits on a couch and speaks with a clinician.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/844-autism-memory-cognitive-decline-aging.jpg)
Brain’s memory center flags autistic adults at risk for cognitive decline
Brain scans of the hippocampus reveal autistic people who are at increased risk of cognitive problems as they get older.
Autism genes converge on disruptions in social brain circuit
The circuit linking the prefrontal cortex and part of the thalamus is impaired in mice raised in social isolation and in mice with mutations in the FMR1 or TSC2 genes.
![Two white mice socialize.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Thalamus-brain-mice-autism-844.jpg)
Autism genes converge on disruptions in social brain circuit
The circuit linking the prefrontal cortex and part of the thalamus is impaired in mice raised in social isolation and in mice with mutations in the FMR1 or TSC2 genes.
Screening zebrafish autism models: A quick take at SfN with Ellen Hoffman
Zebrafish with mutations in 10 different autism-linked genes show a range of unique and shared phenotypes.
Screening zebrafish autism models: A quick take at SfN with Ellen Hoffman
Zebrafish with mutations in 10 different autism-linked genes show a range of unique and shared phenotypes.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.