News / Spectrum

X chromosome inactivation; motor difficulties in 16p11.2 duplication and deletion; oligodendroglia

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 6 May.

By Jill Adams
7 May 2024 | 2 min read
comments
https://doi.org/10.53053/CTVA8046 https://doi.org/10.53053/CTVA8046 - opens a new tab Cite this article
  • Three overarching patterns of gene transcription involved in brain development inform how autism and schizophrenia emerge from altered scripts. Nature Neuroscience
  • Mice missing the autism-linked gene SHANK3 show changes in the spatial and molecular organization of postsynaptic densities. Molecular Psychiatry
  • More brain cells in female mice have active X chromosomes from their mother (60 percent) than from their father (40 percent), which results in more fragile X syndrome-like behaviors in female offspring when gene variants are inherited maternally. Cell Reports
  • MECP2 gene variants that cause Rett syndrome lead to altered RNA polymerase interactions and DNA binding and, ultimately, decreased gene expression. Neuron
  • Inherited factors contribute to 87 percent of autism cases in boys and 75.7 percent in girls, suggesting differing underlying causes overall. JAMA Psychiatry
  • Gene variants that are associated with autism but have only moderate effects often co-occur with other moderate-effect-size genes, leading to large effects, according to a preprint. medRxiv
  • People with 16p11.2 deletions are more likely to have gross-motor impairments and less likely to have fine-motor impairments than people with 16p11.2 duplications. Autism Research
  • Oligodendroglia contribute to the myelination of neuronal axons in mice; but deletion of the autism-linked SCN2A gene alters this process and leads to hypersensitivity in auditory pathways, according to a preprint. bioRxiv
Research image of neuronal axons in mice.
Under covered: Loss of SCN2A in oligodendroglia (right panel) leads to thinner myelin sheathing and larger axon diameter compared with wildtype mice (left panel).
  • A coding system can automate measures of rate of speech and conversational turns in minimally verbal autistic children. Autism Research
  • In mice missing the SHANK3 gene, restoring HCN2 channel activity early in development ameliorates the sensory and sleep problems that are typical in this animal model of autism. Cell Reports Medicine

Sign up for the weekly Spectrum newsletter.

Stay current with the latest advancements in autism research.

Recommended reading

Seattle skyline.
Spectrum

Reporter’s notebook: Highlights from INSAR 2025

By Daisy Yuhas
15 May 2025 | 5 min read
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.
Spectrum

SHANK2 variants in people; and more

By Jill Adams
13 May 2025 | 1 min read
Fred Volkmar, in a blue shirt, in front of wall of framed certificates in his office, wearing a blue shirt.
Spectrum

How pragmatism and passion drive Fred Volkmar—even after retirement

By Claudia Wallis
8 May 2025 | 9 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Research image showing resting-state functional connectivity in the human red nucleus.
Brain imaging

‘Ancient’ brainstem structure evolved beyond basic motor control

By Sydney Wyatt
16 May 2025 | 5 min read
A researcher stands at the top of a staircase that leads to nowhere.
Funding

NIDA shutters diversity fellowship program, axes active awards

By Calli McMurray
14 May 2025 | 4 min read
Composite illustration of Ashley Bourke, Christian Cazares, Minerva Contreras, De-Shaine Murray, Fernanda Juarez Anaya, Maeghan Murie-Mazariegos and Maribel Patiño.
Q&A

‘We still exist’: How four neuroscience advocacy groups are navigating federal DEI funding cuts

By Paige Miranda
14 May 2025 | 2 min read