Autism News and Research

RSS

Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.

Researchers Unveil Revolutionary New Template of the Human Brain

The human brain is in charge of important processes such as perception, memory, language, reasoning, awareness, and emotions.

17 Jul 2024

Kainate Receptors: A Potential Target for Novel Cerebellar Therapies

The Institute of Neurosciences (IN), a collaborative center of the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) of Elche and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is leading a study in Tokyo, Japan, in conjunction with Keio University, which highlights the critical role one of the glutamate receptors plays in the proper functioning of the cerebellum's synapses.

11 Jul 2024

Understanding the Origins of Brain Disorders Through Neural Pruning

The brain does not store everything for eternity. Trillions of neurons need to be assembled or destroyed at specific times and locations as human brains come together.

2 Jul 2024

New Model Unveils Synaptic Mechanisms in Neurological Diseases

Newly released research from Colorado State University provides basic answers to questions regarding brain cellular connectivity that may be helpful in the development of therapies for neurological conditions like schizophrenia, epilepsy, and autism.

27 Jun 2024

CRISPR-Derived Protein Controls Exon Inclusion and Exclusion

The University of Toronto researchers have successfully and precisely controlled the process of RNA splicing by using CRISPR, a bacterial immune defense system.

25 Jun 2024

Breakthrough Imaging Reveals the Dynamics of the Brain's Fast-Acting Kainate Receptor

New groundbreaking images of one of the brain's fastest-acting proteins are providing critical clues that may lead to the development of targeted therapies to treat epilepsy and other brain disorders.

18 Jun 2024

Shaping the Brain: Experience-Dependent Plasticity in Development, Learning and Memory

Explore the groundbreaking work of Mark Bear, a leading figure in neuroscience, as he shares insights on synaptic plasticity, learning, and the future of neurological research.

12 Jun 2024

Study Finds Essential Role of Orco Protein in Ant Olfactory Neuron Survival and Social Interaction

While smell plays a considerable role in the social interactions of humans-;for instance, signaling fear or generating closeness-;for ants, it is vitally important.

10 Jun 2024

Comprehensive Analysis of Gene-Isoform Variation Unlocks Secrets of Brain Development

A team led by researchers at UCLA and the University of Pennsylvania has produced a first-of-its kind catalog of gene-isoform variation in the developing human brain.

24 May 2024

Mapping Neurodevelopmental Disease with High-Throughput In Vivo Perturb-seq

The brain is often referred to as a "black box"-;one that's difficult to peer inside and determine what's happening at any given moment.

21 May 2024

New Study Uncovers Direct Link Between Learning and Memory Impairment and Specific Gene

A gene previously associated with intellectual disability has been discovered to play a role in regulating learning and memory in mice.

9 May 2024

New Study Discovers Gene Associated with Epilepsy and Autism

A genetic mutation or variation in the SCN2A gene is known to cause infantile seizures, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability, among other moderate-to-severe impairments in movement, communication, feeding, and vision.

29 Apr 2024

Researchers Highlight Crucial Contributions of Astrocytes to Mental Health

The health and function of the brain depend on astrocytes, which are essential cells in the central nervous system. According to recent research, they affect behaviors and higher cognitive functions by controlling local neuronal activity.

22 Apr 2024

Understanding How the Human Forebrain Develops at the Cellular Level

A group of researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine led an investigation that offers new insight into the development of the human forebrain.

17 Apr 2024

RNA Modification Offers Hope for Treating Neurological Diseases

The research team led by Yongchao C. Ma, Ph.D., at the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, uncovered a fundamental biological mechanism that holds promise for the development of novel treatments for neurological disorders like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and autism, as well as various types of cancer.

5 Apr 2024

New Platform Reveals Individual Sensitivity to Disease-Causing Mutations

In humans, the exact same mutation in a specific gene can produce widely different outcomes. It's a bit like adding the same amount of salt to different recipes-;the effect on the finished dish can be quite different, depending on the mix of other ingredients.

4 Apr 2024

Key Insights into LAR-RPTP's Synaptic Regulation via Microexon Molecular Codes

The Synapse Diversity and Specificity Regulation Research Team (Director: Jaewon Ko) at DGIST (President Kunwoo Lee) reported on Tuesday the 27th that they have profiled the molecular code that constitutes brain neural circuits and discovered that it regulates specific excitatory synapse characteristics that contribute to memory of new object locations.

30 Mar 2024