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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: stem cells

December 2020
Brain organoid with multiple stains; red and green, to indicate cells.

New method probes genes’ function in brain organoids

by  /  16 December 2020

A screening technique tests how inactivated genes affect spheres of cultured brain cells; it could shed light on autism-linked mutations.

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October 2020
neurons in green.

Brain organoids reveal neuronal flaws in syndrome tied to autism

by  /  12 October 2020

Neurons derived from people with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome show deficits in calcium signaling and electrical activity, pointing to possible therapeutic targets.

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June 2020

Study finds little evidence to back cord-blood therapy for autism

by  /  11 June 2020

An infusion of umbilical cord blood does not improve social skills in autistic children, according to results from the largest, most rigorous test of the therapy for autism to date.

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January 2020
Micrograph of brain organoid in green and red

Spheres of brain cells may offer crystal ball for autism’s origins

by  /  24 January 2020

Researchers have monitored the active genome in brain organoids over the course of nearly two years — and may find clues to autism’s roots.

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neurons firing in black and white

Brain organoids may shed light on seizures in Angelman syndrome

by  /  22 January 2020

The mutation that causes Angelman syndrome makes neurons hyperexcitable, which may explain the frequent seizures that most people with the syndrome have.

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December 2019
Illustration of a storefront with stem cell treatments

In case you missed them: Spectrum’s standout stories from 2019

by  /  23 December 2019

Here are seven Spectrum stories from this year that deserve a close look.

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umbilical cord and placenta

U.S. agency warns company marketing ‘stem cells’ for autism

by  /  12 December 2019

Two agency letters put California-based Liveyon on warning and alert the public to the risks associated with stem-cell based therapies for autism.

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November 2019
Micrograph of mouse brain showing transplanted human microglia

Chimeric mouse model aids study of brain’s immune cells

by  /  15 November 2019

A new technique allows researchers to transplant human microglia into mouse brains and better study the association between these cells and autism.

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October 2019
Group of four organoid images

Mass-produced organoids hint at diversity of autism

by  /  23 October 2019

Researchers have analyzed thousands of brain organoids derived from six autistic people, gaining the potential to rapidly screen drugs.

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Brain ‘organoids’ point to new drug target for fragile X syndrome

by  /  18 October 2019

New findings hint at why drugs that work in mouse models of fragile X syndrome have not been effective in people.

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