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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: intellectual disability

January 2021
DNMT3A protein attaches a methyl group tag onto the DNA base cytosine.

Autism-related conditions converge on same loss of DNA tags

by  /  20 January 2021

Mutations in the autism-linked gene DNMT3A lead to the behaviors and gene-expression changes seen in different neurodevelopmental conditions.

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3D glasses viewing a group fo people.

The promise of scientific partnerships with people on the spectrum

by  /  14 January 2021

Five collaborations involving autistic scientists and experts are advancing autism research, from lending support for theories of the condition to shoring up trials of new treatments.

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Two top autism genes may have a mechanism in common

by  /  13 January 2021

Mutations in two genes linked to autism and intellectual disability boost the immune response and cause synapse dysfunction.

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neurons in mice

Sensory perception, cell signals disrupted in people and mice missing autism gene

by  /  13 January 2021

People and mice with only one working copy of the autism gene SYNGAP1 may have trouble processing sights and sounds.

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December 2020
Micrograph of nerve cells being targeted by CRISPR enzyme to activate the silenced gene in Angelman syndrome

Hot topics in autism research, 2020

by  /  23 December 2020

The Spectrum team highlights five topics that distinguished autism research in 2020: diversity in data, gene therapies, subtyping, social circuitry and the ‘autism gene’ debate.

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Stylized DNA molecule

Mutations in the same exon linked to similar autism traits

by  /  17 December 2020

People with autism who carry DNA variants in the same protein-coding region of a gene have more similar cognitive abilities and behaviors than those who carry mutations in different regions of the same gene.

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Depressed teenager sitting on floor in darkened hallway.

Co-occurring psychiatric conditions put autistic people at risk for self-harm

by  /  11 December 2020

Autistic people are at an increased risk for intentional self-harm and death by suicide, but co-occurring psychiatric conditions may drive those behaviors.

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Paper DNA with one torn base to signify a point mutation.

Analysis links 98 genes to neurodevelopmental conditions

by  /  10 December 2020

Genetic sequences from nearly 53,000 people with autism, developmental delay or intellectual disability reveal strong ties to 98 genes.

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Cells transporting NCKAP1 protein in and out of nucleus

Rare variants tied to neuronal migration, autism traits

by  /  4 December 2020

Many people with mutations in the NCKAP1 gene have autism or autism traits, according to a new study spanning seven countries.

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November 2020
MRIs show changes over time

Big brain may mark subtype of autism

by  /  27 November 2020

Autistic boys with large brains in early childhood still have large brains in adolescence, challenging the long-standing idea that brain enlargement in autism is temporary.

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