18 September 2012

A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative

NEWS Model reveals new links between autism and fragile X Autism risk gene found to alter brain wiring VIEWPOINT Insights for autism from Williams syndrome IN BRIEF Clinical research: Infertility does not raise risk of autism Molecular mechanisms: Rett syndrome gene regulates RNA Cognition and behavior: Regression marks autism syndrome TOOLBOX Video technology reveals autism gait is symmetrical BLOG Crystal ball Missing support

NEWS

Model reveals new links between autism and fragile X

Mice that lack the autism-linked gene neuroligin-3 show similar deficits in neuronal connections to those seen in fragile X syndrome, an inherited form of mental retardation, according to research published 13 September in Science. Restoring the gene in adolescent mice reverses the problem, suggesting a potential pathway for treatment. Read More >

Autism risk gene found to alter brain wiring

MET, a leading candidate gene for autism risk, influences the strength of connections between brain regions involved in social behaviors, and this effect is especially prominent in people with the disorder. The findings are from a large study using several imaging techniques, published 6 September in Neuron. Read More >

VIEWPOINT

Insights for autism from Williams syndrome

Studying the well-characterized Williams syndrome could help researchers understand autism and discover new therapeutic targets, says Andreas MeyerLindenberg.

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IN BRIEF

Clinical research: Infertility does not raise risk of autism

Undergoing fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization, does not increase the risk of having a child with autism, according to two epidemiology studies published this July.

Read More >

Molecular mechanisms: Rett syndrome gene regulates RNA

MeCP2, the gene mutated in people with Rett syndrome, may regulate rates of RNA production in developing neurons, according to a study published 3 August in Stem Cells.

Read More >

Cognition and behavior: Regression marks autism syndrome

Characteristic symptoms of Phelan-McDermid syndrome a disorder caused by the loss of the 22q13.3 chromosomal region may include bipolar disorder and a sudden loss of skills during adulthood, according a study published in June in Molecular Syndromology.

Read More >

TOOLBOX

Video technology reveals autism gait is symmetrical

Researchers have used a motion-capture system to show that children with autism do not rely on one side of the body more than the other when walking. Their findings were published in the 2012 issue of Autism Research Treatment.

Read More >

BLOG

Crystal ball
Want to predict your future? An algorithm promises to foretell your success in five years time.

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Missing support
Despite the growing number of young adults with autism, few studies have looked at how best to support these teens as they transition into adulthood.

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