SFN 2017
Billions of neuronal junctions make up new ‘synaptome’ map
Researchers have charted billions of synapses in the mouse brain and sorted them by type.
![Abnormalities in proteins at synapses are implicated in autism.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171115-Synaptome844.jpg)
Billions of neuronal junctions make up new ‘synaptome’ map
Researchers have charted billions of synapses in the mouse brain and sorted them by type.
Chromosome 16 deletion miswires brain in people, mice
Mice and people missing a copy of a chromosomal region called 16p11.2 show similar patterns of weak brain connections.
![eight brains with various sections highlighted](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/brain-2017UpdateClean.png)
Chromosome 16 deletion miswires brain in people, mice
Mice and people missing a copy of a chromosomal region called 16p11.2 show similar patterns of weak brain connections.
Human ‘mini-brains’ make themselves at home in mice
Spheres of brain cells derived from people and implanted into mouse brains recruit blood vessels and integrate with mouse neurons.
![Blood vessels seen at magnification.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Graft_Bloodstream_crop.jpg)
Human ‘mini-brains’ make themselves at home in mice
Spheres of brain cells derived from people and implanted into mouse brains recruit blood vessels and integrate with mouse neurons.
Takeaways from SfN 2017
After five days and more than 13,000 abstracts, the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C., has drawn to a close.
![Capitol building with reflections Washingtom DC, USA](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/iStock-636910304.jpg)
Takeaways from SfN 2017
After five days and more than 13,000 abstracts, the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C., has drawn to a close.
Social hormones alter monkey behavior in sex-specific ways
The hormones oxytocin and vasopressin promote social interactions in male monkeys but make female monkeys more aggressive than usual.
![monkeys hugging](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171115-OxytocinMonkeys844.jpg)
Social hormones alter monkey behavior in sex-specific ways
The hormones oxytocin and vasopressin promote social interactions in male monkeys but make female monkeys more aggressive than usual.
Drug cocktail curbs repetitive jumping in mice
A trio of drugs eases repetitive behaviors in mice by activating a brain region involved in motor control.
![jumping mouse in the wild](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171115-Jumping844.jpg)
Drug cocktail curbs repetitive jumping in mice
A trio of drugs eases repetitive behaviors in mice by activating a brain region involved in motor control.
In autism, food quirks show up in social brain areas
Young adults with autism who have intense sensitivity to taste show increased activation in social areas of the brain when they taste something sweet.
![child sticking tongue out and making a face while holding chopsticks](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171115-Taste844.jpg)
In autism, food quirks show up in social brain areas
Young adults with autism who have intense sensitivity to taste show increased activation in social areas of the brain when they taste something sweet.
Compound lets scientists see deep inside brains of living mice
A chemical that doctors use to create contrast on X-rays also yields clear images of neurons in the brains of living mice.
![Creating clear images of neurons in living animals may require clever chemistry.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/neuronvisualization844.jpg)
Compound lets scientists see deep inside brains of living mice
A chemical that doctors use to create contrast on X-rays also yields clear images of neurons in the brains of living mice.
Lab tests may pick up sensory sensitivity in autism
A person's ability to distinguish similar syllables by sight and sound correlates with how sensitive she is to sensory stimuli.
![child with headphones listening to a woman on television with doctor watching](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/audiovisual844.jpg)
Lab tests may pick up sensory sensitivity in autism
A person's ability to distinguish similar syllables by sight and sound correlates with how sensitive she is to sensory stimuli.
Mouse imaging study hints at how fragile X drug trial went wrong
The drug mavoglurant has no effect on a brain circuit involved in social behavior in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. That may explain its poor performance in people with the condition.
![Mapping the connections between brain regions in mice can reveal which ones are strengthened by a drug.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171115-Mavoglurant844-1.jpg)
Mouse imaging study hints at how fragile X drug trial went wrong
The drug mavoglurant has no effect on a brain circuit involved in social behavior in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome. That may explain its poor performance in people with the condition.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Brain ‘chimeroids’ reveal person-to-person differences rooted in genetics
These fusions created from multiple donors’ organoids may help scale up comparative brain research.
![Research image of a chimeroid.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chimeroid-Lede-1200-1024x692.webp)
Brain ‘chimeroids’ reveal person-to-person differences rooted in genetics
These fusions created from multiple donors’ organoids may help scale up comparative brain research.
Postdoc’s grad-school sleuthing raises questions about bee waggle-dance data
A journal has flagged two papers with expressions of concern, which note a co-author acknowledged errors.
![Picture of bees in flight.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Navigation-bee.1200-1024x692.webp)
Postdoc’s grad-school sleuthing raises questions about bee waggle-dance data
A journal has flagged two papers with expressions of concern, which note a co-author acknowledged errors.
Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.
![A research image of X chromosomes with Fragile X syndrome](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_FragileX-1024x683.webp)
Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.