Michele Solis is a freelance writer based in Seattle, Washington.
Michele Solis
Freelance Writer
SFARI
From this contributor
Molecular mechanisms: Autism protein connects neurons
An autism-linked protein called CASPR2 promotes the development of dendrites, the bushy structures atop neurons that receive signals from other neurons, according to a study published 30 October in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Lowering CASPR2 levels leads to sparse dendrites and few synapses, the junctions between neurons.

Molecular mechanisms: Autism protein connects neurons
Molecular mechanisms: Stress pathway dysregulated in autism
Two studies report abnormalities in the system that mediates the body’s response to stress in two mouse models of autism-related diseases: Angelman syndrome and Rett syndrome. The results were published in the April issue of Human Molecular Genetics.

Molecular mechanisms: Stress pathway dysregulated in autism
Molecular mechanisms: Autism gene tied to neuronal wiring
An autism-linked protein helps wire neurons together, according to two studies published in late September.

Molecular mechanisms: Autism gene tied to neuronal wiring
Molecular mechanisms: MeCP2 loss ups signal strength
A study using action potentials, the electrical impulses that trigger signaling, shows that neurons lacking MeCP2, the Rett syndrome protein, have stronger neuronal signals compared with controls, according to a study published in the July Journal of Neurophysiology.

Molecular mechanisms: MeCP2 loss ups signal strength
Molecular mechanisms: Neuroligin-4 induces synapses in a dish
Neuroligin-4, a protein associated with autism, is located at synapses — the junctions between neurons — that inhibit signals in the brain, according to a study published in February in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The protein can also single-handedly induce neurons derived from human stem cells to form synapses, according to another study in the same issue.

Molecular mechanisms: Neuroligin-4 induces synapses in a dish
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Five things to know if your federal grant is terminated
If you want to appeal the decision, know the rules that govern terminations, as well as the specific rationale given in your notice, science policy experts say.

Five things to know if your federal grant is terminated
If you want to appeal the decision, know the rules that govern terminations, as well as the specific rationale given in your notice, science policy experts say.
It’s time to examine neural coding from the message’s point of view
In studying the brain, we almost always take the neuron’s perspective. But we can gain new insights by reorienting our frame of reference to that of the messages flowing over brain networks.
It’s time to examine neural coding from the message’s point of view
In studying the brain, we almost always take the neuron’s perspective. But we can gain new insights by reorienting our frame of reference to that of the messages flowing over brain networks.
Autism traits, mental health conditions interact in sex-dependent ways in early development
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 31 March.

Autism traits, mental health conditions interact in sex-dependent ways in early development
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 31 March.