An examination of the cousins of autistic children in Denmark, described in a new preprint, sheds light on the direct and indirect effects that maternal genetics may have on autism likelihood. Even without genetic data, “using family designs, we can still probe questions about the role of genetics in certain epidemiological associations,” says study investigator […]
Primate model: Macaques carrying a single copy of a SHANK3 variant, an animal model of Phelan-McDermid syndrome, display more repetitive behaviors and altered sociability than do control monkeys, according to a new paper. The investigators used a deep-learning model to analyze behavioral output from seven monkeys carrying the SHANK3 variant and eight wildtype monkeys. Monkeys […]
Unraveled ties: Researchers used a novel method to disentangle some of the multitude of maternal factors—genetic and environmental—that influence autism likelihood in children. In their preprint, investigators analyzed maternal cousin pairs in a Danish national birth registry. Direct genetic effects, such as epilepsy and personality disorders, were shared with the mother’s siblings of either sex, […]
Opposite day: Neurodevelopmental conditions may arise from disruptions in the systems-level maturation of neuronal circuits, according to a new preprint. The investigators compared the effects of SYNGAP1 haploinsufficiency in mice with the effects of SYNGAP1 disruption in cortical excitatory neurons. The former induced two altered and opposing patterns of neuronal activity in the cortex, whereas […]
Astrocytes in the hypothalamus and the lateral septum regulate oxytocin and drive social behaviors in mice, according to two preprints posted in February. The findings offer a potential link between glial cell signaling and social difficulties associated with autism. In the lateral septum, astrocytes respond to oxytocin to regulate social fear in mice—and these processes […]
Social support: Oxytocin’s effects on social behavior depend on ongoing social motivation and brain activity in two regions known to contribute to social reward, according to a new study in rhesus macaques. When these monkeys showed socially motivated behavior—sharing juice—an injection of oxytocin directly into the basolateral amygdala extended the duration of that prosocial state […]
Kettle of fish: More than two dozen strains of zebrafish with autism-linked gene variants share overlapping developmental pathways that lead to differences in social behavior, brain activity patterns and brain size, according to a new study. Molecular drivers of the differences include altered function in neuropeptide signaling, neuronal maturation and cell proliferation, which the authors […]
Illustration by Laurenne Boglio Social media in the autism space this week served up a helpful cheat sheet of standout research tweets to catch up on — plus an easier way to consume preprints. “Mixtures matter,” tweeted Giuseppe Testa, professor of molecular biology at Università Statale in Milan, Italy, about the effects of endocrine disruption […]
Illustration by Laurenne Boglio As Null and Noteworthy enters its second year, I’m refocusing on its purpose — and I came across the perfect tweet to express it, courtesy of University of Westminster psychologist Samuel Westwood: Am I doing it right? pic.twitter.com/SpnVEpnfT0 — Sam Westwood (@westwoodsam1) January 28, 2022 Fortunately, many replications and null findings […]
research summary Cells expressing the oxytocin receptor gene variant A218T, which is implicated in autism, are altered in their receptor activity and regulation of other genes, including 429 autism-related genes. Molecular Psychiatry Autistic children and adolescents have unusual electroencephalographic features during sleep that may affect memory consolidation. sleep A parent-led intervention for young children with […]
Multiple hits: Combinations of genetic variants can affect autism traits by altering the expression of other genes. Westend61 / Getty Images Rare genetic variants that alter the expression of genes in the brain contribute to autism in people who also have a rare autism-related mutation, according to a new study. The results help explain how […]
“I think it really came from this idea that dogs should be separated from the best parts of the house – they shouldn’t be in the kitchen, dining room, couch, or bed,” said Dr. Horowitz. “For some reason there is a feeling that we need to maintain our dominance over them by having full ownership […]
