Connectivity theory
Giant analysis reveals how autism-linked genes affect brain cell types
Genes that predispose people to autism account for a large portion of the neuronal and glial cell changes seen in those with the condition.
![Research illustration groups genes by their effects on brain cell types.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/fig-6a-1024x683.webp)
Giant analysis reveals how autism-linked genes affect brain cell types
Genes that predispose people to autism account for a large portion of the neuronal and glial cell changes seen in those with the condition.
Autism-linked mutation disrupts brain circuit to change social behavior
Therapies that target the circuit could boost social activity, new findings suggest.
Autism-linked mutation disrupts brain circuit to change social behavior
Therapies that target the circuit could boost social activity, new findings suggest.
Synaptic overgrowth, hyperconnectivity may define autism subtype
Model mice of the subtype also show hyperactivity in a signaling pathway called mTOR, bolstering the idea that distinct forms of autism have different biological roots and may require different treatment approaches.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/mTOR-844.jpg)
Synaptic overgrowth, hyperconnectivity may define autism subtype
Model mice of the subtype also show hyperactivity in a signaling pathway called mTOR, bolstering the idea that distinct forms of autism have different biological roots and may require different treatment approaches.
Brain stimulation improves memory in autism mouse models
Jolting a bundle of nerve fibers deep in the brain restores learning and memory in mice with mutations of the autism-linked gene CDKL5.
![Black CDKL5 mice in a lab setting--three mice in a cage.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/MouseBlack844.jpg)
Brain stimulation improves memory in autism mouse models
Jolting a bundle of nerve fibers deep in the brain restores learning and memory in mice with mutations of the autism-linked gene CDKL5.
Autism mouse models cluster by brain activity pattern
Four subtypes lend new support to the idea that there isn’t a single ‘hallmark’ type of brain connectivity in people with autism.
![Colorful image of a composite of multiple brain scans showing communication patterns in different regions.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ColorBrain844.jpg)
Autism mouse models cluster by brain activity pattern
Four subtypes lend new support to the idea that there isn’t a single ‘hallmark’ type of brain connectivity in people with autism.
‘Neurons on a chip’ reveal patterns across autism-linked conditions
Activity patterns of neuronal networks link different genetic subtypes of autism that have similar traits, according to new unpublished research.
![Neurons in red and green](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ChipNeurons-844.jpg)
‘Neurons on a chip’ reveal patterns across autism-linked conditions
Activity patterns of neuronal networks link different genetic subtypes of autism that have similar traits, according to new unpublished research.
Gene mutations point to overlaps in brain connectivity for autism, schizophrenia
People who have large mutations associated with autism and schizophrenia share atypical patterns of brain connectivity, according to a new study, especially between areas that process sensory information.
![Brain diagrams showing connectivity within different regions.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201130-FunctionalConnectivity-844.jpg)
Gene mutations point to overlaps in brain connectivity for autism, schizophrenia
People who have large mutations associated with autism and schizophrenia share atypical patterns of brain connectivity, according to a new study, especially between areas that process sensory information.
Slow, disorderly brain waves may flag autism in toddlers
Certain patterns of electrical activity in the brain may signal autism in children with tuberous sclerosis complex, a related genetic condition.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190923-TSC-844.jpg)
Slow, disorderly brain waves may flag autism in toddlers
Certain patterns of electrical activity in the brain may signal autism in children with tuberous sclerosis complex, a related genetic condition.
Autism mutation may disrupt brain structure by disabling mitochondria
Mice that lack a segment of chromosome 22 — a mutation associated with autism — have unusually sparse connections between brain regions.
![Mouse neurons in a grid show differences](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/20190612-MitochondriaDysfunction844.jpg)
Autism mutation may disrupt brain structure by disabling mitochondria
Mice that lack a segment of chromosome 22 — a mutation associated with autism — have unusually sparse connections between brain regions.
Communication in brain shows sex difference in autism
Autistic women show unusually strong connections, and autistic men unusually weak ones, between two brain regions.
![Illustration of cerebellum in human brain](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/20190529-Cerebellum844.jpg)
Communication in brain shows sex difference in autism
Autistic women show unusually strong connections, and autistic men unusually weak ones, between two brain regions.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Temperature tunes circadian timing in some desert mammals
Light has hogged all the attention in chronobiology research—but now, in camel, goat and mole rat experiments, temperature takes the lead.
![A man walks a dromedary camel down a hallway.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/camel-walking-1200-1024x692.webp)
Temperature tunes circadian timing in some desert mammals
Light has hogged all the attention in chronobiology research—but now, in camel, goat and mole rat experiments, temperature takes the lead.
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.
Opioid receptors may guide formation of gut nervous system in zebrafish
Fish lacking functional copies of the receptors have fewer enteric neurons than usual, but the findings await further validation.
![Research image of enteric neurons in zebrafish.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fig2D-fish-1200-1024x692.webp)
Opioid receptors may guide formation of gut nervous system in zebrafish
Fish lacking functional copies of the receptors have fewer enteric neurons than usual, but the findings await further validation.