INSAR 2022
Recent articles
Psychiatric conditions hospitalize almost one in three autistic women by age 25
The findings, based on Swedish national registry data, suggest a critical need to expand mental health services for autistic people.
![Woman sits on a hospital bed and looks out of a window.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/844_Depression-Gender-Autism.jpeg)
Psychiatric conditions hospitalize almost one in three autistic women by age 25
The findings, based on Swedish national registry data, suggest a critical need to expand mental health services for autistic people.
Sleepy mice with autism-linked mutation struggle to fall asleep
Mice with a mutated copy of SHANK3 fail to establish normal sleep patterns during development.
![Lab mice (Mus musculus), tribe Balbc, three 13 day old babies with eyes still closed, laying side by side](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SHANK3-Mice-Sleep-Development-Autism_844.jpeg)
Sleepy mice with autism-linked mutation struggle to fall asleep
Mice with a mutated copy of SHANK3 fail to establish normal sleep patterns during development.
Modified CRISPR tool boosts UBE3A levels in mice
A deactivated form of the gene editor restores UBE3A expression in mice and human neurons without cutting the genome. It may hold promise for future Angelman gene therapies.
![A woman in a white lab coat uses a micropipette](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/844_Gene-Therapy-Angelman-Autism.jpg)
Modified CRISPR tool boosts UBE3A levels in mice
A deactivated form of the gene editor restores UBE3A expression in mice and human neurons without cutting the genome. It may hold promise for future Angelman gene therapies.
Structural brain changes foretell language skills in autistic infants
Increased white-matter maturation tracks with stronger language abilities later in childhood, but the relationship with cortical thickness is less clear.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Microstructure-fiber-autism-844.jpg)
Structural brain changes foretell language skills in autistic infants
Increased white-matter maturation tracks with stronger language abilities later in childhood, but the relationship with cortical thickness is less clear.
Researchers publish new dataset on minimally verbal autistic people
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published the first repository of vocalizations from minimally verbal autistic people. Those with few or no spoken words still produce a range of phonemes, or units of sound, that may serve as developmental markers or intervention targets.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/844_Minimally-Verbal-Autism.jpeg)
Researchers publish new dataset on minimally verbal autistic people
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published the first repository of vocalizations from minimally verbal autistic people. Those with few or no spoken words still produce a range of phonemes, or units of sound, that may serve as developmental markers or intervention targets.
Fever doesn’t ease challenging traits in most autistic children
The findings contradict a previous study, whose design may have been biased to find an effect.
![Child in dark room with thermometer showing 100.8.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Fever-Health-tracking-autism-844.jpg)
Fever doesn’t ease challenging traits in most autistic children
The findings contradict a previous study, whose design may have been biased to find an effect.
Autistic LGBTQ+ people report frequent mental health problems
The co-occurring conditions may stem from the heightened stress people in minority communities experience.
![Young woman sitting alone at window in the shadows.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/LGBTQ-mental-health-autism-844.jpg)
Autistic LGBTQ+ people report frequent mental health problems
The co-occurring conditions may stem from the heightened stress people in minority communities experience.
Novel gene linked to brain size in autistic people
The gene, YTHDF2, may be one of several that contribute to an autism subtype marked by an unusually big brain.
![Three views of zebrafish.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Megalencephaly-zebrafish-autism-844.jpg)
Novel gene linked to brain size in autistic people
The gene, YTHDF2, may be one of several that contribute to an autism subtype marked by an unusually big brain.
Clinicians lack confidence in diagnostic interviews with Black mothers
Implicit biases might be to blame, and the discrepancy persists across clinics, regardless of maternal education, family income and a child’s IQ score.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/ADOS-racial-disparity-844.jpg)
Clinicians lack confidence in diagnostic interviews with Black mothers
Implicit biases might be to blame, and the discrepancy persists across clinics, regardless of maternal education, family income and a child’s IQ score.
INSAR Community Newsletter: Tweets & murmurs from Day Three
We are covering the talks in Austin, Texas, this week, plus what the research community is talking about online, in the Lone Star Ballroom and around town.
![Speech bubble formed by a network of communication](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/02FINAL-1-scaled.jpg)
INSAR Community Newsletter: Tweets & murmurs from Day Three
We are covering the talks in Austin, Texas, this week, plus what the research community is talking about online, in the Lone Star Ballroom and around town.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.