SFARI Gene
Recent articles
‘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.
Plethora of protein-making machines in neurons may underlie fragile X
An overabundance of ribosomes drives an imbalance of proteins produced from long and short genetic transcripts in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/protein-making-machines-fragile-x_844.png)
Plethora of protein-making machines in neurons may underlie fragile X
An overabundance of ribosomes drives an imbalance of proteins produced from long and short genetic transcripts in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome.
Evolutionary approach reveals impact of missense variants in autism
Cross-species comparisons can help make sense of subtle genetic variants in people with autism and identify hundreds of new genes that may contribute to the condition.
![researchers analyzing a big change in a DNA helix](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20210708-Missense844.jpg)
Evolutionary approach reveals impact of missense variants in autism
Cross-species comparisons can help make sense of subtle genetic variants in people with autism and identify hundreds of new genes that may contribute to the condition.
New ranking system flags clinically relevant ‘autism genes’
A novel method to evaluate the strength of the evidence linking autism to specific genes could reveal which ones are most useful to screen for.
![Computer screen reflection in spectacles of DNA profile, close up of face](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ASDGeneList844.jpg)
New ranking system flags clinically relevant ‘autism genes’
A novel method to evaluate the strength of the evidence linking autism to specific genes could reveal which ones are most useful to screen for.
‘Antisocial’ bees point to ancient roots for some autism genes
Honey bees that fail certain social tests have genetic profiles similar to those of people with autism.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170919-RobinsonBees1120Crop2.jpg)
‘Antisocial’ bees point to ancient roots for some autism genes
Honey bees that fail certain social tests have genetic profiles similar to those of people with autism.
Family groups play key role in advancing autism research
Families need more support from researchers in order for their heroic efforts to be optimally effective.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/SandersVP1120.jpg)
Family groups play key role in advancing autism research
Families need more support from researchers in order for their heroic efforts to be optimally effective.
Control centers for genes rife with autism-linked DNA blips
DNA sequences called enhancers — which boost the expression of genes from within or outside them — are enriched for genetic variants linked to autism, suggests a new study. The finding may help researchers understand how variants outside genes contribute to autism.
![Spectrum from The Transmitter.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/tt-old-image-replacement-article-thumbnail-1024x683.png)
Control centers for genes rife with autism-linked DNA blips
DNA sequences called enhancers — which boost the expression of genes from within or outside them — are enriched for genetic variants linked to autism, suggests a new study. The finding may help researchers understand how variants outside genes contribute to autism.
Gene networks offer entry point to unraveling autism
By mapping the connections between autism genes, researchers are finding clues to the disorder’s origins. The key, they say, is to begin without bias.
![Spectrum from The Transmitter.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/tt-old-image-replacement-article-thumbnail-1024x683.png)
Gene networks offer entry point to unraveling autism
By mapping the connections between autism genes, researchers are finding clues to the disorder’s origins. The key, they say, is to begin without bias.
No ‘ideal’ tissue for gene expression studies of autism
Researchers should investigate a broad spectrum of human- and animal-derived tissues to fully capture the complexity of autism, say Michael Talkowski and James Gusella.
![Spectrum from The Transmitter.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/tt-old-image-replacement-article-thumbnail-1024x683.png)
No ‘ideal’ tissue for gene expression studies of autism
Researchers should investigate a broad spectrum of human- and animal-derived tissues to fully capture the complexity of autism, say Michael Talkowski and James Gusella.
Noncoding gene linked to autism
Researchers have identified a noncoding RNA, a genetic message that is not translated into a protein, that may be involved in autism. The discovery, published 4 April in Science Translational Medicine, came from examining a region on chromosome 5 that has been previously linked to the disorder.
![Spectrum from The Transmitter.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/tt-old-image-replacement-article-thumbnail-1024x683.png)
Noncoding gene linked to autism
Researchers have identified a noncoding RNA, a genetic message that is not translated into a protein, that may be involved in autism. The discovery, published 4 April in Science Translational Medicine, came from examining a region on chromosome 5 that has been previously linked to the disorder.
Explore more from The Transmitter
NeuroAI and the hidden complexity of agency
As we attempt to build autonomous artificial-intelligence systems, we're discovering that a capability we take for granted in animals may be much more complex than we imagined.
![Image of squirrels on a branch.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NeuroAI-Agency-Zador-1200-1024x692.png)
NeuroAI and the hidden complexity of agency
As we attempt to build autonomous artificial-intelligence systems, we're discovering that a capability we take for granted in animals may be much more complex than we imagined.
Plaque levels differ in popular Alzheimer’s mouse model depending on which parent’s variants are passed down
5XFAD model mice that inherit two disease-related genes from their fathers have double the plaques seen in those with maternal inheritance, a new study shows.
Plaque levels differ in popular Alzheimer’s mouse model depending on which parent’s variants are passed down
5XFAD model mice that inherit two disease-related genes from their fathers have double the plaques seen in those with maternal inheritance, a new study shows.
‘Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s,’ an excerpt
In his new book, published today, investigative journalist Charles Piller tells the story of the scientific misconduct that shook Alzheimer’s disease research to its core, and the neuroscientist who helped to expose it.
![The word Doctored spelled out on pills.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Pillar-Doctored-1200V2-1024x692.png)
‘Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s,’ an excerpt
In his new book, published today, investigative journalist Charles Piller tells the story of the scientific misconduct that shook Alzheimer’s disease research to its core, and the neuroscientist who helped to expose it.