Macrocephaly
Recent articles
CRISPR gives autism-linked genes a boost, rescues functioning
A modified form of the gene-editing tool increases the expression of CHD8 and SCN2A, showing potential for autism therapies.
![Research image of two fluorescent-stained organoids.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fig1F-clean-1200-1024x692.webp)
CRISPR gives autism-linked genes a boost, rescues functioning
A modified form of the gene-editing tool increases the expression of CHD8 and SCN2A, showing potential for autism therapies.
Head size parts autism into two major subtypes
An imbalance in the number of excitatory neurons in early brain development may account for the difference.
![Research image of organoids in the forebrain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-head-size-autism-two-major-subtypes.png)
Head size parts autism into two major subtypes
An imbalance in the number of excitatory neurons in early brain development may account for the difference.
Genetic background sways effects of autism-linked mutation
Experiments offer clues to why certain mutations are associated with autism in some people and not others.
![Composite research image of organoids at several stages of development.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/844-PTEN-genetic-background-autism-linked-mutation-final-1.png)
Genetic background sways effects of autism-linked mutation
Experiments offer clues to why certain mutations are associated with autism in some people and not others.
CHD8 mutation in 33 mouse strains yields range of traits
The findings put genetic background forward to help explain autism’s heterogeneity.
![A white mouse, brown mouse and black mouse stand inside a wooden circle against a blue background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/844-CHD8-mutation-autism-traits-mice.png)
CHD8 mutation in 33 mouse strains yields range of traits
The findings put genetic background forward to help explain autism’s heterogeneity.
Excess of ‘don’t eat me’ cell signals may drive brain enlargement in autism
The signal, called CD47, is disrupted in autistic people who have a larger-than-average head.
![Geometric black-and-white brain model over a grid.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/autism-dont-eat-me-cells-brain-enlargement-844-1.png)
Excess of ‘don’t eat me’ cell signals may drive brain enlargement in autism
The signal, called CD47, is disrupted in autistic people who have a larger-than-average head.
Zebrafish point to new gene involved in brain overgrowth, autism
The gene, YTHDF2, has not previously been linked to autism.
![Three scans of zebrafish brains.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/844-lede-ashg-zebrafish-brain-overgrowth-gene-autism.png)
Zebrafish point to new gene involved in brain overgrowth, autism
The gene, YTHDF2, has not previously been linked to autism.
New diagnostic code for PTEN syndrome may spur research
The code may help scientists identify people with the autism-linked condition and recruit them into clinical trials.
![A woman in a lab coat types at a computer.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PTEN-syndrome-new-diagnostic-code-research-autism-844.jpg)
New diagnostic code for PTEN syndrome may spur research
The code may help scientists identify people with the autism-linked condition and recruit them into clinical trials.
Different forms of autism have opposite problems with brain precursor cells
The cells’ altered proliferation rates hint at ways to diagnose and potentially treat autism earlier.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/autism-brain-precursor-cells-844.png)
Different forms of autism have opposite problems with brain precursor cells
The cells’ altered proliferation rates hint at ways to diagnose and potentially treat autism earlier.
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.
Organoids show how mutations in top autism gene may lead to brain overgrowth in people
The loss of CHD8, a top autism gene, speeds up the production of certain neurons and leads to overgrowth in spheres of cultured brain cells.
![organoids in early stages of development.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CHD8-haploinsufficiency-844.jpg)
Organoids show how mutations in top autism gene may lead to brain overgrowth in people
The loss of CHD8, a top autism gene, speeds up the production of certain neurons and leads to overgrowth in spheres of cultured brain cells.
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.