Fragile X syndrome
Recent articles
Targeting NMDA receptor subunit reverses fragile X traits in mice
The subunit acts as a “volume control” on signaling that shapes the density of dendritic spines, the new work suggests.

Targeting NMDA receptor subunit reverses fragile X traits in mice
The subunit acts as a “volume control” on signaling that shapes the density of dendritic spines, the new work suggests.
Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.

Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.
Noisy brain may underlie some of autism’s sensory features
Random fluctuations in neuronal activity are more variable in a fragile X mouse model than in wildtype mice.

Noisy brain may underlie some of autism’s sensory features
Random fluctuations in neuronal activity are more variable in a fragile X mouse model than in wildtype mice.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
‘Social touch’ responses in mice gauged with unprecedented control
A new tool could help decipher the brain circuits underlying aversion to social touch, which is common in people with autism.

‘Social touch’ responses in mice gauged with unprecedented control
A new tool could help decipher the brain circuits underlying aversion to social touch, which is common in people with autism.
Skewed signaling in striatum may spawn repetitive behaviors
Synaptic changes in the brain region could drive a core trait of fragile X syndrome, a new mouse study suggests.

Skewed signaling in striatum may spawn repetitive behaviors
Synaptic changes in the brain region could drive a core trait of fragile X syndrome, a new mouse study suggests.
Neuronal deafness to stress may add to protein surplus in fragile X
A protective pathway that pauses protein synthesis is muted in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, according to a new study.

Neuronal deafness to stress may add to protein surplus in fragile X
A protective pathway that pauses protein synthesis is muted in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, according to a new study.
Is excess brain fluid an early marker of autism?
Brain scans of hundreds of infants suggest that up to 80 percent of those with autism have unusual amounts of cerebrospinal fluid. Researchers are studying how this might contribute to the condition.

Is excess brain fluid an early marker of autism?
Brain scans of hundreds of infants suggest that up to 80 percent of those with autism have unusual amounts of cerebrospinal fluid. Researchers are studying how this might contribute to the condition.
Prenatal exposures; Angelman trial suspension; autistic adult well-being
This month’s issue of the Null and Noteworthy newsletter breaks down some negative results involving prenatal exposures, an experimental treatment for Angelman syndrome, and the role that age at autism diagnosis plays in subsequent outcomes, and more.

Prenatal exposures; Angelman trial suspension; autistic adult well-being
This month’s issue of the Null and Noteworthy newsletter breaks down some negative results involving prenatal exposures, an experimental treatment for Angelman syndrome, and the role that age at autism diagnosis plays in subsequent outcomes, and more.
Timing is key in treating sensory traits in fragile X
An experimental drug improves sensory sensitivities in fragile X model mice — but only if it's administered after certain brain circuits have formed, according to a new unpublished study.

Timing is key in treating sensory traits in fragile X
An experimental drug improves sensory sensitivities in fragile X model mice — but only if it's administered after certain brain circuits have formed, according to a new unpublished study.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Lions and tigers and bears: Long-lived zoo animals offer a promising venue to study mental health and neurodegenerative disorders
These animals’ lifestyles often mirror those of people, making them a more relevant milieu than lab mice for determining how environmental factors influence mental health and cognitive decline. Studying them could improve animal welfare in the process.

Lions and tigers and bears: Long-lived zoo animals offer a promising venue to study mental health and neurodegenerative disorders
These animals’ lifestyles often mirror those of people, making them a more relevant milieu than lab mice for determining how environmental factors influence mental health and cognitive decline. Studying them could improve animal welfare in the process.
Thanks to new technologies, neuroscientists have more direct access to the human brain than ever before
Model systems continue to offer us tremendous insight, but it’s time for basic researchers to train their sights on the human brain. If I were starting my career today, I would focus on human neurobiology.

Thanks to new technologies, neuroscientists have more direct access to the human brain than ever before
Model systems continue to offer us tremendous insight, but it’s time for basic researchers to train their sights on the human brain. If I were starting my career today, I would focus on human neurobiology.
Single-neuron recordings are helping to unravel complexities of human cognition
As this work begins to bear fruit, researchers “are becoming less afraid to ask very difficult questions that you can uniquely ask in people.”

Single-neuron recordings are helping to unravel complexities of human cognition
As this work begins to bear fruit, researchers “are becoming less afraid to ask very difficult questions that you can uniquely ask in people.”