11 September 2012

A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative

NEWS Rett syndrome-linked gene maintains neuronal connections Dietary supplement may treat rare form of autism IN BRIEF Genetics: Chromosomal syndrome narrowed to single gene Clinical research: Schizophrenia in family ups risk of autism Molecular mechanisms: Drug corrects excitable mouse brains TOOLBOX Device helps record neuronal activity in moving rats BLOG Guest blog: Premature ideas Candid Camera

NEWS

Rett syndrome-linked gene maintains neuronal connections

A gene linked to some types of Rett syndrome is needed for the stability of connections between neurons, according to research published 4 September in Nature Cell Biology.

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Dietary supplement may treat rare form of autism

Researchers have uncovered a rare, genetic form of autism caused by mutations that speed up the breakdown of certain amino acids. The findings, published 6 Septemberin Science, suggest that nutritional supplements may alleviate symptoms of the disorder in people with these mutations.

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IN BRIEF

Genetics: Chromosomal syndrome narrowed to single gene

Symptoms associated with a deletion of the 15q13.3 chromosomal region could result from the loss of a single gene, CHRNA7, according to a study published 9 July in Clinical Genetics.

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Clinical research: Schizophrenia in family ups risk of autism

A family history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder increases the risk of autism, according to an epidemiological study published 2 July in the Archives of General Psychiatry. The results suggest that these disorders share underlying mechanisms.

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Molecular mechanisms: Drug corrects excitable mouse brains

A compound called baclofen restores the balance between different types of brain signals and alleviates autism-like behaviors in mice, according to a study published 17 July in Translational Psychiatry. A similar drug called arbaclofen is in clinical trials as a treatment for autism and fragile X syndrome.

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TOOLBOX

Device helps record neuronal activity in moving rats

A new device allows researchers to identify the precise source of an emitted brain signal measured in freely moving rats, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of Neurophysiology.

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BLOG

Guest blog: Premature ideas

A New York Times opinion column on 25 August suggested that at least some cases of autism could be considered inflammatory disorders. But this theory is still in its infancy.

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Candid Camera
Home videos suggest that babies later diagnosed with autism gesture differently than typically developing babies or those with other developmental disorders.

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