News / Spectrum

Cerebellum structure; AMPA receptors; MAGEL2 gene

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 28 October.

By Jill Adams
29 October 2024 | 1 min read
comments
https://doi.org/10.53053/CFRT2162 https://doi.org/10.53053/CFRT2162 - opens a new tab Cite this article
  • Altered cerebellar and cortical structures in autistic children are related and may give rise to changes in functional connectivity with maturation. Spectrum has previously reported on cerebellum size and neurodevelopmental conditions. Molecular Psychiatry
  • Mice with diminished expression of the autism-linked gene SYNGAP1 in forebrain GABAergic interneurons show altered neural activity and social behaviors. Journal of Neuroscience
  • People with autism or schizophrenia have altered AMPA glutamate receptor density, according to a brain imaging study. Molecular Psychiatry
Research image of human brain scans against a black background.
Amped up: The density of AMPA glutamate receptors is higher (red) in some brain areas in autistic people, and lower (blue) in others, compared with non-autistic people.
  • Nearly all excitatory neurons in human cortical organoids are produced indirectly from intermediate progenitor cells. Cell Reports
  • Autistic people’s brain regions show an altered maturation pattern, which appears to be tied to clinical traits. JAMA Psychiatry
  • Mice missing the gene MAGEL2, a model of Prader-Willi syndrome, have heightened somatostatin activity in the lateral septum and altered sociability that can be mitigated by oxytocin and vasopressin. Cell Reports Medicine

Sign up for the weekly Spectrum newsletter.

Stay current with the latest advancements in autism research.

Recommended reading

Spectrum

New human brain atlas charts gene activity and chromosome accessibility, from embryo to adolescence

By Saima Sidik
30 January 2025 | 5 min read
Research image of regional structural differences in the brains of neurodiverse people.
Spectrum

Cortical myelination; early vocabulary; EEG in tuberous sclerosis

By Jill Adams
28 January 2025 | 2 min read
Research image of cells lacking microexon 4.
Spectrum

Protein aggregates gum up ‘master regulator’ of autism-linked genes

By Giorgia Guglielmi
23 January 2025 | 4 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Community

Protocol-sharing site aims to ease administrative burden of animal research

By Calli McMurray
29 January 2025 | 4 min read
By clicking to watch this video, you agree to our privacy policy.
Brain Inspired Microphone

David Robbe challenges conventional notions of time and memory

By Paul Middlebrooks
29 January 2025 | 98 min listen
Abstract illustration of a feminine face in structural flux.
Sex differences in the brain

Revisiting sex and gender in the brain

By Marija Kundakovic
28 January 2025 | 8 min read