Michele Solis

Freelance Writer
SFARI

Michele Solis is a freelance writer based in Seattle, Washington.

From this contributor

Spectrum

By Michele Solis

28 November 2012

2 min read

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.

Spectrum

Molecular mechanisms: Autism protein connects neurons

By Michele Solis

28 November 2012 | 2 min read

Spectrum

By Michele Solis

27 April 2012

2 min read

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.

Spectrum

Molecular mechanisms: Stress pathway dysregulated in autism

By Michele Solis

27 April 2012 | 2 min read

Spectrum

By Michele Solis

21 October 2011

2 min read

Molecular mechanisms: Autism gene tied to neuronal wiring

An autism-linked protein helps wire neurons together, according to two studies published in late September.

Spectrum

Molecular mechanisms: Autism gene tied to neuronal wiring

By Michele Solis

21 October 2011 | 2 min read

Spectrum

By Michele Solis

3 August 2011

2 min read

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.

Spectrum

Molecular mechanisms: MeCP2 loss ups signal strength

By Michele Solis

3 August 2011 | 2 min read

Spectrum

By Michele Solis

23 March 2011

2 min read

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.

Spectrum