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Recent articles
The cloudy connection between fragile X and cancer
People with the autism-linked syndrome lack a protein implicated in several cancers, but it’s unclear whether — or how — they are protected from malignancies.
![Illustration of a binocular microscope with an X Chromosome in one eyepiece and cancer cells in the other.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fragile-x-cancer-link-autism-844.jpg)
The cloudy connection between fragile X and cancer
People with the autism-linked syndrome lack a protein implicated in several cancers, but it’s unclear whether — or how — they are protected from malignancies.
Autism model mice develop typical social and motor behaviors after drug treatment
The drug suppresses an overactive signaling pathway implicated in tuberous sclerosis complex.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Tsai844.jpg)
Autism model mice develop typical social and motor behaviors after drug treatment
The drug suppresses an overactive signaling pathway implicated in tuberous sclerosis complex.
Cracking autism’s sleep conundrum
Sleep problems may contribute to or derive from autism traits — or both. After decades of work, researchers are beginning to uncover the biological connections between the two conditions, revealing new paths to potential treatments.
![Conceptual illustration of child sleeping under blanket with multiple EEG waves overlaid on top and a window on left showing it is daytime and window on right showing nighttime.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/SleepTrends-1-844.jpg)
Cracking autism’s sleep conundrum
Sleep problems may contribute to or derive from autism traits — or both. After decades of work, researchers are beginning to uncover the biological connections between the two conditions, revealing new paths to potential treatments.
Molecular overlap links tuberous sclerosis, fragile X
Brain cells from the cerebellums of mice that model tuberous sclerosis show dampened levels of proteins controlled by FMRP, the protein missing in fragile X syndrome.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TSC1-844b.jpg)
Molecular overlap links tuberous sclerosis, fragile X
Brain cells from the cerebellums of mice that model tuberous sclerosis show dampened levels of proteins controlled by FMRP, the protein missing in fragile X syndrome.
Extra proteins alter microglia and behavior in mice
The overproduction of proteins in brain cells called microglia causes social impairments, cognitive deficits and repetitive behavior in male mice, a new study has found.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/SynapesMicroglia844.jpg)
Extra proteins alter microglia and behavior in mice
The overproduction of proteins in brain cells called microglia causes social impairments, cognitive deficits and repetitive behavior in male mice, a new study has found.
Brain’s motor hub plays unsung role in social skills, cognition
Long known as the director of movement, the cerebellum may also coordinate social and cognitive abilities, including those central to autism.
![Illustration showing the human brain with neurons made out of flower shapes and the cerebellum highlighted in gold and yellow.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20200306-Cerebellum-844-copy.jpg)
Brain’s motor hub plays unsung role in social skills, cognition
Long known as the director of movement, the cerebellum may also coordinate social and cognitive abilities, including those central to autism.
Studies of tuberous sclerosis may shed light on biology of autism
Tuberous sclerosis provides a unique opportunity to understand autism because about half of people with that single-gene condition also have autism.
![row of babies playing with toys that look like genome sequence](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190921-TSC-Sahin-844.jpg)
Studies of tuberous sclerosis may shed light on biology of autism
Tuberous sclerosis provides a unique opportunity to understand autism because about half of people with that single-gene condition also have autism.
Trial results temper hopes of tumor drug for treating autism
A drug that treats tumors and epilepsy in people with tuberous sclerosis complex does not boost their intelligence or ease autism traits.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/20190829-Everolimus-844.jpg)
Trial results temper hopes of tumor drug for treating autism
A drug that treats tumors and epilepsy in people with tuberous sclerosis complex does not boost their intelligence or ease autism traits.
Cerebellum’s role in autism may depend on timing
Two studies published in the past two months provide new clues to when and how the cerebellum contributes to autism.
![Purkinje neurons glow red in this section.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/20181129-SensitiveCerebellar-844.jpg)
Cerebellum’s role in autism may depend on timing
Two studies published in the past two months provide new clues to when and how the cerebellum contributes to autism.
Family ties: Sabatini brothers crack codes that may underlie autism
David and Bernardo Sabatini, brothers born just a year and a half year apart, invent their way to answering big questions about autism.
![Two scientists standing in a lab.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/20180829-Sabatinis-844.jpg)
Family ties: Sabatini brothers crack codes that may underlie autism
David and Bernardo Sabatini, brothers born just a year and a half year apart, invent their way to answering big questions about autism.
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.