Fwd: Autism research news from SFARI.org

February 14, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 20105694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: February 14, 2012 6:57:04 AM PSTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 14 February 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSSHANK2 study bolsters 'multi-hit' gene model of autismBrain imaging study links structure and function in face areaIN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Extra MeCP2 leads to anxiety in miceClinical research: Mice model Rett syndrome's heart symptomsCognition and behavior: Asperger brains similar across sexesTOOLBOXMicroscope reveals nanoscale detail in live mouse brainsBLOGLasting connectionsAutism in AfricaNEWSSHANK2 study bolsters 'multi-hit' gene model of autism By screening the genomes of hundreds of people with autism and analyzing the effects of newly identified mutations in cultured neurons, researchers have clarified the disorder's link to the SHANK2 gene. The results were published 9 February in PLoS Genetics.Read More >Brain imaging study links structure and function in face area Structural connections in the brain's face-processing region can be used to predict brain activity in response to faces, according to research published this month in Nature Neuroscience.Read More >IN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Extra MeCP2 leads to anxiety in mice Two genes may be responsible for autism symptoms in mice with extra copies of the Rett syndrome gene, according to a study published 8 January in Nature Genetics.Read More >Clinical research: Mice model Rett syndrome's heart symptoms Mice engineered to carry a Rett syndrome mutation only in neurons are prone to an irregular heartbeat that can lead to sudden death, according to a study published 14 December in Science Translational Medicine.Read More >Cognition and behavior: Asperger brains similar across sexes The brains of men and women with Asperger syndrome are more similar than are those of male and female controls, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Neuroradiology. The results lend support to the 'extreme male brain' theory of autism, the researchers say.Read More >TOOLBOXMicroscope reveals nanoscale detail in live mouse brains A new microscope allows researchers to capture the movement of tiny signal-receiving branches in the brains of adult mice at the nanoscale level. The results were published 3 February in Science.Read More >BLOGLasting connections What makes humans so different from our primate cousins? The answer may lie in unique patterns of gene expression soon after birth, primarily in genes required to form the junctions between neurons.Read More >Autism in Africa In Africa, children with autism tend to be diagnosed much later, and are more likely to be nonverbal, than their counterparts in the U.S., according to a new review.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

February 23, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: February 21, 2012 7:06:12 AM PSTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 21 February 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSInfants who develop autism show distinct brain connectivityHuman neuron model tests function of autism-linked genesVIEWPOINTMaternal anti-brain antibodies may play a role in autismIN BRIEFClinical research: Rates of autism rise based on birth yearCognition and behavior: MEG detects sound sensitivityGenetics: Autism, Tourette syndrome genes overlapTOOLBOXResearchers chart 3D structure of fruit fly chromosomesBLOGRobot renaissanceBrain gameNEWSInfants who develop autism show distinct brain connectivity The development of white matter tracts, the nerve bundles that join one brain region to another, is different in babies who go on to develop autism compared with those who do not, according to a study published 17 February in theAmerican Journal of Psychiatry.Read More >Human neuron model tests function of autism-linked genes Simulating neuronal development in culture with cells derived from human brain tissue offers a new way to study the function of autism-linked genes, according to research published in the February issue of Molecular Psychiatry.Read More >VIEWPOINTMaternal anti-brain antibodies may play a role in autism Maternal antibodies that attack fetal brain proteins could underlie some cases of autism, says immunologist Betty Diamond.Read More >IN BRIEFClinical research: Rates of autism rise based on birth year The likelihood of being diagnosed with autism has increased for children born each year since 1994, especially for individuals at the higher-functioning end of the autism spectrum, reports a study published 7 December in The International Journal of Epidemiology.Read More >Cognition and behavior: MEG detects sound sensitivity Brain imaging can detect acute sensitivity to sound in individuals with autism, according to a study published 25 January in Neurophysiology.Read More >Genetics: Autism, Tourette syndrome genes overlap Genes implicated in Tourette syndrome overlap with those involved in autism, according to an analysis of rare DNA duplications and deletions in people with the disorder, published in the March issue of Biological Psychiatry.Read More >TOOLBOXResearchers chart 3D structure of fruit fly chromosomes A new study reveals the three-dimensional structure of fruit fly chromosomes, which groups together active and inactive genes. The results were published 3 February in Cell.Read More >BLOGRobot renaissance Engineers have debuted several new robots to help children with autism, including a boy that can sense when it's touched, a female head that expresses a wide range of emotions and a low-cost fuzzy penguin that can track a child's eye movements.Read More >Brain game A new website invites the public to help map the 'connectome,' the pattern of connections among all the neurons in our brain.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

February 23, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: February 21, 2012 7:06:12 AM PSTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 21 February 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSInfants who develop autism show distinct brain connectivityHuman neuron model tests function of autism-linked genesVIEWPOINTMaternal anti-brain antibodies may play a role in autismIN BRIEFClinical research: Rates of autism rise based on birth yearCognition and behavior: MEG detects sound sensitivityGenetics: Autism, Tourette syndrome genes overlapTOOLBOXResearchers chart 3D structure of fruit fly chromosomesBLOGRobot renaissanceBrain gameNEWSInfants who develop autism show distinct brain connectivity The development of white matter tracts, the nerve bundles that join one brain region to another, is different in babies who go on to develop autism compared with those who do not, according to a study published 17 February in theAmerican Journal of Psychiatry.Read More >Human neuron model tests function of autism-linked genes Simulating neuronal development in culture with cells derived from human brain tissue offers a new way to study the function of autism-linked genes, according to research published in the February issue of Molecular Psychiatry.Read More >VIEWPOINTMaternal anti-brain antibodies may play a role in autism Maternal antibodies that attack fetal brain proteins could underlie some cases of autism, says immunologist Betty Diamond.Read More >IN BRIEFClinical research: Rates of autism rise based on birth year The likelihood of being diagnosed with autism has increased for children born each year since 1994, especially for individuals at the higher-functioning end of the autism spectrum, reports a study published 7 December in The International Journal of Epidemiology.Read More >Cognition and behavior: MEG detects sound sensitivity Brain imaging can detect acute sensitivity to sound in individuals with autism, according to a study published 25 January in Neurophysiology.Read More >Genetics: Autism, Tourette syndrome genes overlap Genes implicated in Tourette syndrome overlap with those involved in autism, according to an analysis of rare DNA duplications and deletions in people with the disorder, published in the March issue of Biological Psychiatry.Read More >TOOLBOXResearchers chart 3D structure of fruit fly chromosomes A new study reveals the three-dimensional structure of fruit fly chromosomes, which groups together active and inactive genes. The results were published 3 February in Cell.Read More >BLOGRobot renaissance Engineers have debuted several new robots to help children with autism, including a boy that can sense when it's touched, a female head that expresses a wide range of emotions and a low-cost fuzzy penguin that can track a child's eye movements.Read More >Brain game A new website invites the public to help map the 'connectome,' the pattern of connections among all the neurons in our brain.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

February 23, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: February 21, 2012 7:06:12 AM PSTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 21 February 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSInfants who develop autism show distinct brain connectivityHuman neuron model tests function of autism-linked genesVIEWPOINTMaternal anti-brain antibodies may play a role in autismIN BRIEFClinical research: Rates of autism rise based on birth yearCognition and behavior: MEG detects sound sensitivityGenetics: Autism, Tourette syndrome genes overlapTOOLBOXResearchers chart 3D structure of fruit fly chromosomesBLOGRobot renaissanceBrain gameNEWSInfants who develop autism show distinct brain connectivity The development of white matter tracts, the nerve bundles that join one brain region to another, is different in babies who go on to develop autism compared with those who do not, according to a study published 17 February in theAmerican Journal of Psychiatry.Read More >Human neuron model tests function of autism-linked genes Simulating neuronal development in culture with cells derived from human brain tissue offers a new way to study the function of autism-linked genes, according to research published in the February issue of Molecular Psychiatry.Read More >VIEWPOINTMaternal anti-brain antibodies may play a role in autism Maternal antibodies that attack fetal brain proteins could underlie some cases of autism, says immunologist Betty Diamond.Read More >IN BRIEFClinical research: Rates of autism rise based on birth year The likelihood of being diagnosed with autism has increased for children born each year since 1994, especially for individuals at the higher-functioning end of the autism spectrum, reports a study published 7 December in The International Journal of Epidemiology.Read More >Cognition and behavior: MEG detects sound sensitivity Brain imaging can detect acute sensitivity to sound in individuals with autism, according to a study published 25 January in Neurophysiology.Read More >Genetics: Autism, Tourette syndrome genes overlap Genes implicated in Tourette syndrome overlap with those involved in autism, according to an analysis of rare DNA duplications and deletions in people with the disorder, published in the March issue of Biological Psychiatry.Read More >TOOLBOXResearchers chart 3D structure of fruit fly chromosomes A new study reveals the three-dimensional structure of fruit fly chromosomes, which groups together active and inactive genes. The results were published 3 February in Cell.Read More >BLOGRobot renaissance Engineers have debuted several new robots to help children with autism, including a boy that can sense when it's touched, a female head that expresses a wide range of emotions and a low-cost fuzzy penguin that can track a child's eye movements.Read More >Brain game A new website invites the public to help map the 'connectome,' the pattern of connections among all the neurons in our brain.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

February 28, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: February 28, 2012 6:59:47 AM PSTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 28 February 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSMajor errors in genome can be harmlessAutism in translation garners more research interestIN BRIEFCognition and behavior: Contaminant acts with autism geneGenetics: Different mutations lead to autism in same familyMolecular mechanisms: Study reveals new fragile X drug targetTOOLBOXStudy charts methylation patterns in developing brainBLOGAdult interventionMusic reignsNEWSMajor errors in genome can be harmless More than 250 genes in the human genome — about one percent of our genes — can be eliminated without serious health effects, according to research published last week in Science.Read More >Autism in translation garners more research interest Foreign-language translations of autism screening and diagnostic instruments are proliferating, but there is little research evaluating how well they work. Validation is necessary not only to ensure that children who have autism get the services they need, but also to accurately measure the disorder's prevalence in different countries, researchers say.Read More >IN BRIEFCognition and behavior: Contaminant acts with autism gene A commonly used flame retardant may lead to deficits in sociability, learning and memory in healthy female mice and those that model Rett syndrome, according to a study published 15 February in Human Molecular Genetics. The effects are different in Rett syndrome models compared with healthy mice, suggesting gene-environment interactions.Read More >Genetics: Different mutations lead to autism in same family Twin brothers who have autism carry a non-inherited duplication that overlaps with 16p11.2, a chromosomal region that has been associated with autism. Their brother, who also has autism, has a nearby deletion within 16p11.2, according to a study published 11 January in the European Journal of Human Genetics.Read More >Molecular mechanisms: Study reveals new fragile X drug target Researchers have identified a new mechanism that may underlie a runaway cell signaling pathway in fragile X syndrome. The results were published 22 January in Nature Neuroscience.Read More >TOOLBOXStudy charts methylation patterns in developing brain Researchers have charted patterns of DNA methylation — a chemical alteration to DNA that modifies gene expression — in the planning center of the brain from before birth to old age. The results were published 10 February in The American Journal of Human Genetics.Read More >BLOGAdult intervention A new meta-analysis shows that less than two percent of participants in studies of behavioral interventions for autism are adults.Read More >Music reigns Brain imaging studies of people with autism show that specific areas respond more strongly to song than do those of controls. The opposite is true when listening to speech.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

March 13, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: March 13, 2012 6:59:53 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 13 March 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSMore sensitive prenatal tests detect autism-linked variantsClinical trials for autism treatments go onlineDIRECTORS' COLUMNRAS pathway, a potentially unifying theory of autismIN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Autism protein forms aggregatesClinical research: Gut bacteria prevalent in autismCognition and behavior: Study probes speech processingTOOLBOXFruit fly reference helps link genes to traitsBLOGIn other wordsMinority delayNEWSMore sensitive prenatal tests detect autism-linked variants Prenatal genetic tests that can detect copy number variations, including those linked to autism, could raise tough questions for doctors and parents.Read More >Clinical trials for autism treatments go online A new clinical trial, conducted entirely online, could provide a model for how to quickly and efficiently test some potential treatments for autism.Read More >DIRECTORS' COLUMNRAS pathway, a potentially unifying theory of autism Dysregulation of the intracellular signaling pathway RAS, a risk factor for idiopathic autism, may provide a unifying theory of the disorder. Although this is not an altogether new hypothesis, several recent findings have strengthened the evidence for it considerably.Read More >IN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Autism protein forms aggregates DISC1, an autism-associated protein, can form large aggregates that deplete the amount of functional DISC1 in cells, according to a study published 14 February in Human Molecular Genetics.Read More >Clinical research: Gut bacteria prevalent in autism A certain type of bacteria is prevalent in the intestines of children who have both autism and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms but absent in controls, according to a study published 10 January in mBio.Read More >Cognition and behavior: Study probes speech processing Children with autism activate more brain regions than controls do when listening to tonal inflections in speech that convey meaning. The findings were published 19 December in Child Neuropsychology.Read More >TOOLBOXFruit fly reference helps link genes to traits Researchers have generated and sequenced almost 200 different strains of fruit flies, a widely used model organism, according to a study published 8 February in Nature. The resource they created, called the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel, will enable researchers to link genetic variants with aspects of fly biology and behavior.Read More >BLOGIn other words When children with autism make grammatical errors, is it due to a fundamental problem in language processing, or rather their difficulty understanding social interactions? Two new studies lend support to the latter idea.Read More >Minority delay Minority children tend to show more severe symptoms of autism early on, regardless of social class.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

March 13, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: March 13, 2012 6:59:53 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 13 March 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSMore sensitive prenatal tests detect autism-linked variantsClinical trials for autism treatments go onlineDIRECTORS' COLUMNRAS pathway, a potentially unifying theory of autismIN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Autism protein forms aggregatesClinical research: Gut bacteria prevalent in autismCognition and behavior: Study probes speech processingTOOLBOXFruit fly reference helps link genes to traitsBLOGIn other wordsMinority delayNEWSMore sensitive prenatal tests detect autism-linked variants Prenatal genetic tests that can detect copy number variations, including those linked to autism, could raise tough questions for doctors and parents.Read More >Clinical trials for autism treatments go online A new clinical trial, conducted entirely online, could provide a model for how to quickly and efficiently test some potential treatments for autism.Read More >DIRECTORS' COLUMNRAS pathway, a potentially unifying theory of autism Dysregulation of the intracellular signaling pathway RAS, a risk factor for idiopathic autism, may provide a unifying theory of the disorder. Although this is not an altogether new hypothesis, several recent findings have strengthened the evidence for it considerably.Read More >IN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Autism protein forms aggregates DISC1, an autism-associated protein, can form large aggregates that deplete the amount of functional DISC1 in cells, according to a study published 14 February in Human Molecular Genetics.Read More >Clinical research: Gut bacteria prevalent in autism A certain type of bacteria is prevalent in the intestines of children who have both autism and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms but absent in controls, according to a study published 10 January in mBio.Read More >Cognition and behavior: Study probes speech processing Children with autism activate more brain regions than controls do when listening to tonal inflections in speech that convey meaning. The findings were published 19 December in Child Neuropsychology.Read More >TOOLBOXFruit fly reference helps link genes to traits Researchers have generated and sequenced almost 200 different strains of fruit flies, a widely used model organism, according to a study published 8 February in Nature. The resource they created, called the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel, will enable researchers to link genetic variants with aspects of fly biology and behavior.Read More >BLOGIn other words When children with autism make grammatical errors, is it due to a fundamental problem in language processing, or rather their difficulty understanding social interactions? Two new studies lend support to the latter idea.Read More >Minority delay Minority children tend to show more severe symptoms of autism early on, regardless of social class.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

March 13, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: March 13, 2012 6:59:53 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 13 March 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSMore sensitive prenatal tests detect autism-linked variantsClinical trials for autism treatments go onlineDIRECTORS' COLUMNRAS pathway, a potentially unifying theory of autismIN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Autism protein forms aggregatesClinical research: Gut bacteria prevalent in autismCognition and behavior: Study probes speech processingTOOLBOXFruit fly reference helps link genes to traitsBLOGIn other wordsMinority delayNEWSMore sensitive prenatal tests detect autism-linked variants Prenatal genetic tests that can detect copy number variations, including those linked to autism, could raise tough questions for doctors and parents.Read More >Clinical trials for autism treatments go online A new clinical trial, conducted entirely online, could provide a model for how to quickly and efficiently test some potential treatments for autism.Read More >DIRECTORS' COLUMNRAS pathway, a potentially unifying theory of autism Dysregulation of the intracellular signaling pathway RAS, a risk factor for idiopathic autism, may provide a unifying theory of the disorder. Although this is not an altogether new hypothesis, several recent findings have strengthened the evidence for it considerably.Read More >IN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Autism protein forms aggregates DISC1, an autism-associated protein, can form large aggregates that deplete the amount of functional DISC1 in cells, according to a study published 14 February in Human Molecular Genetics.Read More >Clinical research: Gut bacteria prevalent in autism A certain type of bacteria is prevalent in the intestines of children who have both autism and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms but absent in controls, according to a study published 10 January in mBio.Read More >Cognition and behavior: Study probes speech processing Children with autism activate more brain regions than controls do when listening to tonal inflections in speech that convey meaning. The findings were published 19 December in Child Neuropsychology.Read More >TOOLBOXFruit fly reference helps link genes to traits Researchers have generated and sequenced almost 200 different strains of fruit flies, a widely used model organism, according to a study published 8 February in Nature. The resource they created, called the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel, will enable researchers to link genetic variants with aspects of fly biology and behavior.Read More >BLOGIn other words When children with autism make grammatical errors, is it due to a fundamental problem in language processing, or rather their difficulty understanding social interactions? Two new studies lend support to the latter idea.Read More >Minority delay Minority children tend to show more severe symptoms of autism early on, regardless of social class.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

March 20, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: March 20, 2012 6:59:58 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 20 March 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSBone marrow transplant alleviates Rett symptoms in miceImaging study reveals insula disruption in syndromeVIEWPOINTHow do we measure autism severity?IN BRIEFClinical research: Joint attention can predict autism outcomeCognition and behavior: Brain changes tied to autism severityGenetics: Autism linked to two mutations in same geneTOOLBOXAutism mutations lead to scores of symptoms in rodentsBLOGIncidental findingsTummy troublesNEWSBone marrow transplant alleviates Rett symptoms in mice A bone marrow transplant from healthy mice to those lacking the MeCP2 protein, which causes Rett syndrome, extends lifespan and alleviates symptoms of the disorder, according to research published online 18 March in Nature.Read More >Imaging study reveals insula disruption in syndrome A detailed brain imaging study of people with syndrome, a developmental disorder characterized by a highly sociable personality, has found a series of structural, functional and connectivity deficits that converge on a part of the brain called the insula. The findings were published online 12 March in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Read More >VIEWPOINTHow do we measure autism severity? Accurately measuring the severity of autism remains a challenge for the field. The answer may lie in using more than one approach that varies depending on whether it is being applied in a clinical or research context, says Raphael Bernier.Read More >IN BRIEFClinical research: Joint attention can predict autism outcome How easy it is to engage the attention of a child with autism by gazing or pointing at an object may predict how well he or she will be able to function as an adult, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.Read More >Cognition and behavior: Brain changes tied to autism severity Adults with autism have regional differences in brain volume in areas that play a role in social behavior and communication compared with controls, according to a large study published in the February issue of Archives of General Psychiatry. The differences correlate with the severity of autism symptoms, the study also shows.Read More >Genetics: Autism linked to two mutations in same gene Two mutations in an autism-associated gene, neurexin-1, may have combined to cause autism in one man, whereas family members with only one of the two mutations have other neurological disorders, according to a study published 15 February in the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B.Read More >TOOLBOXAutism mutations lead to scores of symptoms in rodents Mutations in more than 100 autism-associated genes lead to shared neurobiological deficits in mice, including alterations in the shape of their brains and changes to the electrical properties of neurons, according to a study published 20 February in Molecular Autism.Read More >BLOGIncidental findings A survey asks clinical geneticists what type of incidental findings should be returned to people who have their genomes sequenced.Read More >Tummy troubles A new study suggests that children with both autism and gastrointestinal disorders have poorer language and social skills than those with autism alone.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

April 5, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: April 3, 2012 7:10:40 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 3 April 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSAnalysis of new diagnostic criteria for autism sparks debateBrain imaging reveals simple organization for neural wiresVIEWPOINTIn defense of childhood disintegrative disorderIN BRIEFGenetics: Rare, common autism variants may function togetherMolecular mechanisms: Extra MeCP2 affects brain signalingClinical research: Signs of autism emerge in infancyTOOLBOXResearchers make neurons from blood cellsBLOGRising ratesUncommon testingNEWSAnalysis of new diagnostic criteria for autism sparks debate A new analysis of proposed changes to the diagnostic criteria for autism suggests that the revision could exclude a substantial number of people with high-functioning autism. But critics say the study is fundamentally flawed.Read More >Brain imaging reveals simple organization for neural wires Rather than a tangled bowl of spaghetti, the neural wiring in the brain is arranged in an orderly fashion, like a woven piece of cloth, according to research published today in the journal Science.Read More >VIEWPOINTIn defense of childhood disintegrative disorder Childhood disintegrative disorder represents a distinct entity within the autism spectrum and it should remain a separate diagnostic category, says Pelphrey.Read More >IN BRIEFGenetics: Rare, common autism variants may function together Researchers have mapped networks of genes expressed at the same time and place in the brain and shown that rare and common autism-linked mutations are likely to function in the same pathways. The results were published 8 March in PLoS Genetics.Read More >Molecular mechanisms: Extra MeCP2 affects brain signaling Mice with an extra copy of MeCP2, the Rett syndrome gene, have impaired signaling between neurons in the hippocampus, a brain region that plays an important role in memory, according to a study published 29 February in The Journal of Neuroscience.Read More >Clinical research: Signs of autism emerge in infancy Warning signs of autism, such as deficits in social ability and fine motor skills, are apparent as early as 6 months of age, according to a large longitudinal study published in the March issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Read More >TOOLBOXResearchers make neurons from blood cells Researchers have generated neurons from the blood cells of individuals with autism, according to a study published 7 March in Neuroscience Letters.Read More >BLOGRising rates A new report from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention finds that autism rates have risen 23 percent since 2009, from 1 in 110 children to 1 in 88.Read More >Uncommon testing A new study published in the Journal of Genetic Counseling confirms the relative infrequency of genetic testing for autism.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

April 12, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: April 10, 2012 8:07:42 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 10 April 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSNoncoding gene linked to autismHundreds of genes involved in autism, sequencing studies sayIN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Autism gene modulates connectivityClinical research: Gestation period affects autism symptomsCognition and behavior: Corpus callosum smaller in autismTOOLBOXResearchers map gene expression in the monkey brainBLOGGenetics firstBlocking bulliesNEWSNoncoding gene linked to autism Researchers have identified a noncoding RNA, a genetic message that is not translated into a protein, that may be involved in autism. The discovery, published 4 April in Science Translational Medicine, came from examining a region on chromosome 5 that has been previously linked to the disorder.Read More >Hundreds of genes involved in autism, sequencing studies say The largest set of exome sequencing studies of children with autism and their families to date has identified a handful of genes that may increase risk of the disorder, according to research published in Nature.Read More >IN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Autism gene modulates connectivity Neurons lacking PTEN, an autism-associated gene also involved in cancer, are hyperconnected to both near and distant brain cells, according to a study published 1 February in The Journal of Neuroscience.Read More >Clinical research: Gestation period affects autism symptoms Both premature and post-term babies develop more severe symptoms of autism than those born close to their due dates, according to a study published 16 March in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.Read More >Cognition and behavior: Corpus callosum smaller in autism Children with autism have a smaller corpus callosum, a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain, compared with controls, and this difference persists over two years of development, according to a study published 18 February in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.Read More >TOOLBOXResearchers map gene expression in the monkey brain Researchers have used gene expression data to create a map of the layers within the neocortex, a brain region involved in sensory perception, motor control and language, of rhesus macaques. The results were published 22 March in Neuron.Read More >BLOGGenetics first Launched in September 2010, the Simons Variation in Individuals Project takes a 'genetics first' approach to the study of autism by studying a large group of people with the same genetic event: deletion or duplication of the 16p11.2 chromosomal region.Read More >Blocking bullies Children with autism are bullied three times more than their typically developing siblings, according to research from the Interactive Autism Network.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

April 19, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: April 17, 2012 6:59:58 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 17 April 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSMassive effort planned to map visual brain in miceStudy finds grammar tics in children with autismWORKSHOP REPORTWorkshop report: Regression in autismIN BRIEFClinical research: Drug improves quality of life with autismCognition and behavior: Language defect identified in autismGenetics: Language gene may regulate autism, schizophreniaTOOLBOXSoftware profiles social interactions between miceBLOGMaternal obesityTracing touchNEWSMassive effort planned to map visual brain in mice A ten-year initiative announced last month by the Institute for Brain Science aims to catalog the development, structure and function of neural circuits in the brain at an unprecedented level of detail.Read More >Study finds grammar tics in children with autism Children with autism don't follow certain grammatical rules, according to one of the few studies of the disorder from the field of linguistics, published online 21 March in Applied Psycholinguistics.Read More >WORKSHOP REPORTWorkshop report: Regression in autism On 13 February, SFARI hosted a workshop to explore whether children with regression are a unique subgroup within the autism spectrum, and concluded that most children with autism show a gradual decline in skills rather than an abrupt loss of abilities.Read More >IN BRIEFClinical research: Drug improves quality of life with autism Aripiprazole, a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat irritability in children with autism, may also improve their overall health-related quality of life, according to a retrospective analysis of two clinical trials. The results were published 21 March in Clinical Therapeutics.Read More >Cognition and behavior: Language defect identified in autism Children who have both autism and intellectual disability may understand fewer words than their speaking skills suggest, which is not the case for typically developing children or those with intellectual disability alone. The results were published 21 February in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.Read More >Genetics: Language gene may regulate autism, schizophrenia FOXP2, a protein linked to language development that regulates the expression of some autism-associated genes, also dampens expression of DISC1, mutations in which have been linked to both schizophrenia and autism. The results were published 20 March in Human Molecular Genetics.Read More >TOOLBOXSoftware profiles social interactions between mice A computerized video analysis tool can simultaneously track two mice and catalog their social interactions. The results were published 4 March Nature Methods.Read More >BLOGMaternal obesity A new study, published in the journal Pediatrics, made headlines this past week by suggesting that motherhood obesity may increase the risk of autism in children.Read More >Tracing touch People with autism have a different brain response to different textures, according to a study that is part of a growing effort to measure the sensory difficulties associated with the disorder.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

April 24, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: April 24, 2012 6:59:53 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 24 April 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSGene expression altered in postmortem autism brainsGiant imaging study identifies genes that govern brain sizeIN BRIEFGenetics: Environment modulates autism symptoms in miceCognition and behavior: Reward circuit abnormal in autismMolecular mechanisms: Serotonin regulation linked to autism TOOLBOXChili pepper protein can alter behavior of miceBLOGRate debateNew diagnosticNEWSGene expression altered in postmortem autism brains Postmortem brain tissue from people with autism shows differences in the expression of genes involved in a number of molecular pathways, including those that control cortical patterning, programmed cell death and differentiation, according to research published last month in PLoS Genetics.Read More >Giant imaging study identifies genes that govern brain size The largest brain imaging study ever performed has identified candidate genes that influence brain size and general intelligence, according to research published 15 April in Nature Genetics.Read More >IN BRIEFGenetics: Environment modulates autism symptoms in mice Mutant mice with autism-like behaviors have fewer behavioral impairments when provided with toys, exercise wheels and contact with other mice, than do those that live in typical laboratory cages, according to a study published 5 April in Human Molecular Genetics.Read More >Cognition and behavior: Reward circuit abnormal in autism The reward center of the brain is less active in children with autism compared with controls in response both to praise and monetary rewards, according to a study published 11 April in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience.Read More >Molecular mechanisms: Serotonin regulation linked to autism An autism-associated variant in a gene that regulates the chemical messenger serotonin leads to abnormal serotonin regulation and autism-like behaviors in mice. The results were published 3 April in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Read More >TOOLBOXChili pepper protein can alter behavior of mice By manipulating the location of a protein that detects capsaicin, the molecule responsible for the burn in hot chili peppers, researchers can activate subpopulations of neurons and alter the behavior of mice. The results were published 20 March in Nature Communications.Read More >BLOGRate debate Do rising rates of autism point to a true increase in prevalence or simply reflect a growing awareness and thus diagnosis of the disorder?Read More >New diagnostic Parents searching for a genetic diagnosis for their child with autism now have a new option: a test that analyzes 62 different genes linked to syndromic autism, meaning cases of the disorder caused by mutation of a single gene.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

May 1, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: May 1, 2012 7:00:14 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 1 May 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSStudies highlight promise of fragile X treatmentLarge sequencing study ties autism genes to fragile XVIEWPOINTSocial motivation, reward and the roots of autismIN BRIEFCognition and behavior: Autism, antisocial brains differMolecular mechanisms: Stress pathway dysregulated in autismClinical research: Study suggests four autism subgroupsTOOLBOXResearchers engineer mice lacking microRNAsBLOGFast-forwardWhy oh YNEWSStudies highlight promise of fragile X treatment A promising approach to treating fragile X syndrome could benefit people even after the critical window of early brain development, and alleviate core symptoms of autism, according to two studies published this month.Read More >Large sequencing study ties autism genes to fragile X Children with autism carry twice as many new and damaging genetic mutations as typically developing children, according to a new study published in Neuron. The researchers also identified intriguing genetic links between autism and fragile X syndrome.Read More >VIEWPOINTSocial motivation, reward and the roots of autism Social impairments in autism are likely a consequence of deficits in social motivation that start early in life and have profound developmental consequences, says psychologist Schultz.Read More >IN BRIEFCognition and behavior: Autism, antisocial brains differ Autism and antisocial disorder are separate conditions, with distinct differences in underlying brain structure, according to a neuroimaging study of the general population. The results were published 4 April in The Journal of Neuroscience.Read More >Molecular mechanisms: Stress pathway dysregulated in autism Two studies report abnormalities in the system that mediates the body's response to stress in two mouse models of autism-related diseases: Angelman syndrome and Rett syndrome. The results were published in the April issue ofHuman Molecular Genetics.Read More >Clinical research: Study suggests four autism subgroups Individuals with autism may belong to one of four groups with discrete sets of symptoms, the most distinct of which includes immune system abnormalities accompanied by sleep problems and sensory sensitivity. The results were published in the April issue of Autism Research.Read More >TOOLBOXResearchers engineer mice lacking microRNAs Researchers are developing a resource that will allow scientists to engineer mice lacking one of 162 microRNAs — non-coding regions of the genome that regulate gene expression. The results were published 19 April in Cell Reports.Read More >BLOGFast-forward In the last three years, autism researchers have gone from sequencing single genes to whole exomes, as highlighted at the Translational Neuroscience Symposium in Switzerland last week.Read More >Why oh Y New research on children with extra sex chromosomes points to the Y chromosome's role in autism.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

May 14, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: May 8, 2012 6:59:50 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 8 May 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSDebate over quality of adult-derived stem cells rages onChromosome exchanges reveal new autism-related genesIN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Growth factor altered in autism brainsClinical research: Autism development follows distinct pathsGenetics: Study further implicates rare CNVs in autismTOOLBOXBlood biomarkers can help diagnose schizophreniaBLOGComplex caseBiased searchNEWSDebate over quality of adult-derived stem cells rages on As the use of induced pluripotent stem cells grows, researchers are searching for ways to make them behave more predictably.Read More >Chromosome exchanges reveal new autism-related genes Large-scale swapping of genetic material between chromosomes may play an important role in autism, according to a study published 27 April in Cell.Read More >IN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Growth factor altered in autism brains The brains of individuals with autism have higher-than-typical levels of the precursor to a neuronal growth factor called BDNF, according to a study published in the April issue of the Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology. The results suggest a mechanism for altered brain development in autism.Read More >Clinical research: Autism development follows distinct paths A fraction of children with autism show significant improvements in social and communication skills over time compared with their peers with the disorder, according to a study published 2 April in Pediatrics.Read More >Genetics: Study further implicates rare CNVs in autism Individuals with autism are more likely than controls to have small, rare duplications or deletions of stretches of DNA in genes that play a role in dampening signals in the brain, according to a study published 2 April inMolecular Autism.Read More >TOOLBOXBlood biomarkers can help diagnose schizophrenia A biological signature in the blood could be used to aid the early diagnosis of schizophrenia, according to a study published 12 April in Molecular Psychiatry.Read More >BLOGComplex case Multiple levels of complexity make it challenging to develop drugs to treat autism.Read More >Biased search Publication bias is making antidepressants look like a better option for treating autism than they really are, according to a study published last week inPediatrics.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

May 17, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: May 15, 2012 11:59:57 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 15 May 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSBetter tools needed to assess clinical trialsDefects in carnitine metabolism may underlie autismQ & AQ & A with Fombonne: Are autism's rising rates real?IN BRIEFCognition and behavior: Language links differ in autism brainsGenetics: SHANK1 mutations found in men with autismCognition and behavior: Drug improves memory in autismTOOLBOXSponges made from RNA can knock down gene expressionBLOGTrials and tribulationsCompensatory mechanismsNEWSBetter tools needed to assess clinical trials The past few years have seen an unprecedented number of clinical trials for experimental drugs to treat autism-related disorders, most notably for fragile X syndrome. But as the trials progress, scientists are calling for better methods to measure the drugs' effectiveness.Read More >Defects in carnitine metabolism may underlie autism A genetic defect in the synthesis of carnitine, a molecule that is essential for proper mitochondrial function, might slightly increase risk for autism in some children, according to research published 8 May in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Read More >Q & AQ & A with Fombonne: Are autism's rising rates real? Child psychiatrist and epidemiologist Fombonne digs through the latest report on the prevalence of autism, suggesting reasons for the apparent increase in the disorder's rates.Read More >IN BRIEFCognition and behavior: Language links differ in autism brains The bundles of nerve fibers that connect two regions important for language are abnormal in the brains of children with autism, according to a study published 5 April in the American Journal of Neuroradiology.Read More >Genetics: SHANK1 mutations found in men with autism Researchers have identified deletions in SHANK1 — the third member of a gene family that is closely linked to autism — in five men with the disorder, they reported 4 May in the American Journal of Human Genetics. This is the first study linking SHANK1 mutations to people with autism.Read More >Cognition and behavior: Drug improves memory in autism Propranolol, a drug used to treat heart disease and anxiety, might improve memory and attention deficits in autism, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.Read More >TOOLBOXSponges made from RNA can knock down gene expression Researchers have created sponge-like assemblies of hundreds of thousands of short fragments of RNA, which can be used to dampen the expression of certain genes, according to a study published 26 February in Nature Materials.Read More >BLOGTrials and tribulations Clinical trials for fragile X drugs should include a behavioral therapy component, says a parent of a child with the disorder.Read More >Compensatory mechanisms Identifying genetic and other factors that protect children at risk of autism from developing the disorder could provide new avenues for treatment.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

May 22, 2012

Thanks, SarafOwner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: May 22, 2012 7:10:32 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 22 May 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSEuropean consortium strives to spur autism drug developmentFish study links chromosome 16 genes to head sizeCONFERENCE NEWS: International Meeting for Autism Research 2012Early data suggest antibiotic helps treat fragile X syndromeWhy it's good to share your dataLong-term project charts methylation patterns in pregnancyGiving fathers oxytocin boosts levels in babies(For all reports from the 2012 International Meeting for Autism Research, click here)IN BRIEFGenetics: Mutations at neuronal junctions linked to autismClinical research: Early interventions improve languageMolecular mechanisms: SHANK2, SHANK3 mouse brains differTOOLBOXNew technique helps locate source of brain imaging signalsBLOGShrinking brainsPersonalizing medicineNEWSEuropean consortium strives to spur autism drug development A $38.7 million project in the European Union — the largest single grant for autism research in the world — aims to bring together academic labs and pharmaceutical companies to speed the move from basic to clinical research.Read More >Fish study links chromosome 16 genes to head size By creating genetically engineered fish, two independent groups have identified genes in an autism hotspot on chromosome 16 that influence head size and brain development.Read More >CONFERENCE NEWS: International Meeting for Autism Research 2012(For all reports from the 2012 International Meeting for Autism Research, click here)Early data suggest antibiotic helps treat fragile X syndrome Preliminary results from a placebo-controlled trial of the antibiotic minocycline in children with fragile X syndrome suggest the drug alleviates some aspects of the disorder, according to research presented Friday at the International Meeting for Autism Research in Toronto.Read More >Why it's good to share your data Autism researchers need to build a culture of data-sharing. That's the message that Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), wanted to convey Friday at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) in Toronto.Read More >Long-term project charts methylation patterns in pregnancy By studying pregnant women who already have a child with autism, researchers hope to understand how epigenetic changes — those that affect gene expression but don't directly alter DNA — during pregnancy influences risk of the disorder.Read More >Giving fathers oxytocin boosts levels in babies Two new studies on the so-called 'trust hormone' oxytocin, presented today at the International Meeting for Autism Research in Toronto, suggest new avenues for using the drug to treat autism.Read More >IN BRIEFGenetics: Mutations at neuronal junctions linked to autism Researchers have identified four new mutations in the autism-linked gene neurexin-1 in individuals who have autism and severe intellectual disability, they reported 3 April in Neurobiology of Disease.Read More >Clinical research: Early interventions improve language Toddlers with autism who receive behavioral interventions that improve joint attention — engaging and following others' focus — have better language ability five years later than do controls, according to a study published in May in theJournal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Read More >Molecular mechanisms: SHANK2, SHANK3 mouse brains differ Mice lacking the autism-associated gene SHANK2 show autism-like behaviors similar to those seen in mice lacking SHANK3, another member of the same gene family. But SHANK2 and SHANK3 mice have distinct alterations at neuronal junctions, according to a report published 29 April in Nature.Read More >TOOLBOXNew technique helps locate source of brain imaging signals Combining functional magnetic resonance imaging of rat brains with a technique that uses light to detect neuronal activity can help researchers hone in on the source of the activity, according to a study published 6 May in Nature Methods.Read More >BLOGShrinking brains Long-term treatment with antipsychotic drugs and mood stabilizers can change the structure of the brain.Read More >Personalizing medicine A pilot project highlights how adult stem cells could be used to test and select personalized therapies.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

May 31, 2012

Thanks, SarafPresident, Foggy Coast Ventures, Inc.Owner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: May 29, 2012 8:04:20 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 29 May 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSFunding agency seeks success in 'fast-fail' clinical trialsNew report finds DSM-5 criteria unlikely to exclude manyVIEWPOINTPopulation-based studies key for assessing autism prevalenceCONFERENCE NEWS: International Meeting for Autism Research 2012In autism, head growth patterns vary by gender(For all reports from the 2012 International Meeting for Autism Research, click here)IN BRIEFClinical research: Autism accompanied by many conditionsMolecular mechanisms: Mutant mice show signs of autismCognition and behavior: High IQ linked to anxiety in autismTOOLBOXRobot replaces neuroscientists in techniqueBLOGSocial gamesRinse and repeatNEWSFunding agency seeks success in 'fast-fail' clinical trials A new initiative launched by the National Institute of Mental Health aims to redefine clinical trials for autism by funding short, biomarker-based studies that will allow investigators to quickly rule out ineffective compounds.Read More >New report finds DSM-5 criteria unlikely to exclude many Contrary to previous studies, preliminary results from field trials of the new criteria for diagnosing autism suggest it will capture people on the high-functioning end of the spectrum.Read More >VIEWPOINTPopulation-based studies key for assessing autism prevalence Studies of autism prevalence should screen a representative sample of all individuals in the population, even those with no indications of the disorder, says epidemiologist Young-Shin Kim.Read More >CONFERENCE NEWS: International Meeting for Autism Research 2012(For all reports from the 2012 International Meeting for Autism Research, click here)In autism, head growth patterns vary by gender Girls diagnosed with autism have slower brain growth in the first year of their life than typically developing children, whereas boys' brains grow at the same rate as those of typical children, according to a population-based study in Norway.Read More >IN BRIEFClinical research: Autism accompanied by many conditions Health records of more than 14,000 people with autism show that they are more likely than the general population to suffer from a number of conditions, including immune disorders and gut problems. The results, published 12 April in PLoS One, suggest that doctors should carefully monitor their overall health.Read More >Molecular mechanisms: Mutant mice show signs of autism Mice that are unable to produce a carbohydrate molecule that regulates cell growth show behaviors that resemble the core deficits of autism, according to a study published 27 March in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Read More >Cognition and behavior: High IQ linked to anxiety in autism A high intelligence quotient, a good understanding of social skills, and aggressiveness may all contribute to anxiety in children with autism, according to a study published 14 March in The Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Read More >TOOLBOXRobot replaces neuroscientists in technique A robot can replace researchers in performing a painstaking technique that records neuronal signals in live animal brains, according to a study published 6 May in Nature Methods.Read More >BLOGSocial games Multiplayer games can help researchers identify differences in social behavior in people with autism.Read More >Rinse and repeat Researchers typically use only one 'cohort,' a group of about three dozen mice, for a given set of experiments. When others repeat the experiments with a different set of animals, sometimes the results hold up, and sometimes they don't.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

June 14, 2012

Thanks, SarafPresident, Foggy Coast Ventures, Inc.Owner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: June 12, 2012 7:33:04 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 12 June 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSImaging studies question connectivity theory of autism'Baby sibs' struggle to integrate audio, visual speech cuesQ & AQ & A with Luca Santarelli: Targeting neuronal connections IN BRIEFCognition and behavior: Brain scans probe joint attentionGenetics: 2q21.1 variations link autism, attention deficitClinical research: Long-term studies track autism's trajectoryTOOLBOXRadio waves turn on gene expressionBLOGCounting conditionsValproate fateNEWSImaging studies question connectivity theory of autism Three independent studies presented in May at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) in Toronto suggest that much of the brain in people with autism looks the same as that of controls. The results contradict the so-called connectivity theory of autism, which holds that the brains of people with the disorder have weak long-range functional connections.Read More >'Baby sibs' struggle to integrate audio, visual speech cues Infants at high risk for autism have difficulty integrating information from different senses, such as vision and hearing, a new study suggests.Read More >Q & AQ & A with Luca Santarelli: Targeting neuronal connections Luca Santarelli, head of neuroscience at Roche, explains why he is optimistic that pharmaceutical companies can overcome the obstacles in autism drug development.Read More >IN BRIEFCognition and behavior: Brain scans probe joint attention Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, researchers have for the first time identified brain regions activated by joint attention, the process in which two people direct their attention to the same object, person or topic of conversation. The findings appeared 16 April in Human Brain Mapping.Read More >Genetics: 2q21.1 variations link autism, attention deficit Researchers have found deletions and duplications of a small piece of chromosome 2 in individuals with autism, developmental delay, epilepsy or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Read More >Clinical research: Long-term studies track autism's trajectory Two studies published over the past month followed individuals with autism at various ages and showed that they gain developmental skills differently than controls do.Read More >TOOLBOXRadio waves turn on gene expression The heat produced by radio waves can interact with metallic nanoparticles bound to temperature-sensitive ion channels in cells, allowing researchers to remotely alter gene expression in live animals, according to a study published 4 May in Science.Read More >BLOGCounting conditions A tool designed to detect psychiatric disorders in people with autism may produce more accurate estimates of co-occurring conditions.Read More >Valproate fate A new rat study shows that the precise timing of early valproate exposure, an autism risk factor, can have a big influence on behavior later in development.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010Sent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

June 21, 2012

Thanks, SarafPresident, Foggy Coast Ventures, Inc.Owner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: June 19, 2012 6:59:37 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 19 June 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSAutism research may require tens of thousands of samplesLoss of autism brain samples highlights need for donationsSPECIALMicroglia IN BRIEFGenetics: Analysis identifies new autism candidate regionsClinical research: Genetic variant improves effects of oxytocinMolecular mechanisms: Language neurons small in autismTOOLBOX'Tomato' red molecule reports on neuronal activityBLOGMicrobial worldSensory experienceNEWSAutism research may require tens of thousands of samples Rare variants make up the vast majority of human genetic variation, according to two independent papers published in May in Science. That means that genetic studies of complex diseases such as autism are likely to require tens of thousands of participants.Read More >Loss of autism brain samples highlights need for donations A freezer malfunction that damaged a third of the largest collection of autism brain tissue points to the dire need for more donations, a better system for eliciting them, and a coordinated effort for storing and distributing tissue.Read More >SPECIALMicroglia A collection of articles from SFARI.org highlights how microglia, the brain's immune cells, may play a role in autism and in shaping neuronal connections.Read More >IN BRIEFGenetics: Analysis identifies new autism candidate regions An analysis of large duplications and deletions of DNA has identified new candidate genes for autism in pathways linked to the disorder. The results were published 22 May in Human Molecular Genetics.Read More >Clinical research: Genetic variant improves effects of oxytocin Men with a common autism-linked variant of CD38, a gene that regulates levels of the 'trust hormone' oxytocin, benefit more from the hormone than do those with other variants, according to a study published in the May issue ofNeuropsychopharmacology.Read More >Molecular mechanisms: Language neurons small in autism Neurons that activate signals in a brain region important for language and imitation are smaller in the brains of individuals with autism than in those of controls, according to a study published 31 March in Acta Neuropathology.Read More >TOOLBOX'Tomato' red molecule reports on neuronal activity A pH-sensitive red fluorescent molecule allows researchers to simultaneously monitor two different types of neuronal activity, according to a study published 27 May in Nature Neuroscience.Read More >BLOGMicrobial world New tools developed as part of the Human Microbiome Project could help researchers understand the role of microbes in autism.Read More >Sensory experience A Dutch multimedia project attempts to convey how people with autism experience the world.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010Sent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

June 28, 2012

Thanks, SarafPresident, Foggy Coast Ventures, Inc.Owner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: June 26, 2012 7:44:25 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 26 June 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSSHANK2 mouse models show opposite brain signalingRett protein in adult brain key for survivalVIEWPOINTFocus on function may help unravel autism's complex genetics GUEST BLOGAlison Singer: The case for brain donation IN BRIEFClinical research: Fever during pregnancy linked to autismMolecular mechanisms: Alzheimer's protein linked to autismCognition and behavior: Context affects repetitive behaviorTOOLBOXWhole-brain circuits light up in fish brainsBLOGDrug mergerEpigenetic ageNEWSSHANK2 mouse models show opposite brain signaling Two new strains of mice carrying different mutations in the SHANK2 gene show similar autism-like behaviors but opposing effects on brain signaling, according to two independent studies published 14 June in Nature.Read More >Rett protein in adult brain key for survival The gene missing or mutated in Rett syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, is critical for the survival of adult mice, according to a study published 31 May inHuman Molecular Genetics.Read More >VIEWPOINTFocus on function may help unravel autism's complex genetics To find the pathogenic mutations in complex disorders such as autism, researchers may need to conduct sophisticated analyses of the genetic functions that are disrupted, says geneticist Aravinda Chakravarti.Read More >GUEST BLOGAlison Singer: The case for brain donation We can't get back the tissue lost in the Harvard freezer malfunction, but we can try to create something positive from this tragic event, says Alison Singer.Read More >IN BRIEFClinical research: Fever during pregnancy linked to autism An untreated fever during pregnancy more than doubles the risk that the child will develop autism, according to a study published 5 May in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.Read More >Molecular mechanisms: Alzheimer's protein linked to autism Amyloid-beta, the small protein that forms plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease, is more prevalent in postmortem brains from individuals with autism than in those from controls, according to a study published 2 May in PLoS One.Read More >Cognition and behavior: Context affects repetitive behavior Repetitive behaviors are often motivated by anxiety when children with autism and intellectual disability transition from one task to the next, but they are linked to a desire for attention when the children have free time, according to a study published in May in the Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities.Read More >TOOLBOXWhole-brain circuits light up in fish brains A new approach allows researchers to visualize individual neurons in the small, clear brains of larval zebrafish as they interact with their surroundings, according to a study published 9 May in Nature.Read More >BLOGDrug merger Seaside Therapeutics, a small biotech, and Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche have announced a partnership to develop drugs for fragile X syndrome and autism.Read More >Epigenetic age Normal aging triggers dramatic changes to the epigenome, the set of chemical tags that turn genes on and off, according to a new study.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010Sent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

July 5, 2012

Thanks, SarafPresident, Foggy Coast Ventures, Inc.Owner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: July 3, 2012 7:00:07 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 3 July 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSAngelman mice show impaired inhibition of brain signalsLack of DNA modification creates hotspots for mutationsIN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Fragile X granules function at synapsesCognition and behavior: gene linked to social anxietyGenetics: Deletions in neurexin-1 linked to seizuresTOOLBOXWheel-running test assesses autism behaviors in miceBLOGService impactNEWSAngelman mice show impaired inhibition of brain signals Mice lacking a functional copy of UBE3A, the gene missing or mutated in people with the rare developmental disorder Angelman syndrome, show less inhibitory activity than controls do, according to research published 7 June inNeuron.Read More >Lack of DNA modification creates hotspots for mutations The absence of a chemical alteration called methylation on some stretches of DNA makes them especially prone to mutations, according to a paper published in PLoS Genetics in May.Read More >IN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Fragile X granules function at synapses FMRP, the protein missing in people with fragile X syndrome, localizes in clusters of proteins at neuronal junctions that relay sensory and motor information, according to a study published 23 April in The Journal of Comparative Neurology.Read More >Cognition and behavior: gene linked to social anxiety The duplication of a chromosomal region missing in people with syndrome is associated with separation anxiety, according to a study published 8 June in The American Journal of Human Genetics.Read More >Genetics: Deletions in neurexin-1 linked to seizures Deletions in the second half of the autism-linked gene neurexin-1 are associated with seizures and large head size, according to a study published 23 May in the European Journal of Human Genetics.Read More >TOOLBOXWheel-running test assesses autism behaviors in mice Researchers can evaluate core features of autism, such as social deficits and stereotyped behaviors, by watching how mice used to running on a wheel react when the wheel is broken, according to a study published 24 May in Behavioral Brain Research.Read More >BLOGService impact A report from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network analyzes the impact that the proposed changes to diagnostic criteria for autism are likely to have on people with the disorder.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010Sent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

July 19, 2012

Thanks, SarafPresident, Foggy Coast Ventures, Inc.Owner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner USD-COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: July 17, 2012 7:27:49 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 17 July 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSGeneticists join forces for autism sequencing pushCONFERENCE NEWSMaternal antibodies may affect brain size in autismIN BRIEFGenetics: Language disorder gene linked to autismClinical research: New test yields accurate severity scoresMolecular mechanisms: FMRP target linked to cognitive skillsTOOLBOXExpression data links gene candidates to autismBLOGCost comparisonHistoric diagnosisNEWSGeneticists join forces for autism sequencing push Researchers have launched an effort to yoke together disparate gene sequencing projects in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., aiming to double the number of known autism-related genes in the next three to four years.Read More >CONFERENCE NEWSMaternal antibodies may affect brain size in autism The action of certain maternal antibodies on the fetal brain may underlie the large brain size seen in some children with autism, according to preliminary findings from both monkey and human studies presented 3 July at a conference in Boston.Read More >IN BRIEFGenetics: Language disorder gene linked to autism A girl with autism has a spontaneous deletion in CMIP, a gene associated with specific language impairment, providing another genetic link between the two disorders. The case study was published 11 June in Autism Research.Read More >Clinical research: New test yields accurate severity scores Calibrated severity score, a test based on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, provides a measure of autism symptoms that is independent of age and language ability, according to a study published 24 May in Autism Research.Read More >Molecular mechanisms: FMRP target linked to cognitive skills The protein missing in people with fragile X syndrome may activate the expression of a signaling protein dubbed NOS1 during prenatal development of brain regions involved in language and social skills, according to a study published 11 May in Cell.Read More >TOOLBOXExpression data links gene candidates to autism Identifying genetic variants that affect the expression of other genes can enhance traditional gene association analyses and highlight candidate risk factors for autism, according to a study published 16 May in Molecular Autism.Read More >BLOGCost comparison Early intensive behavioral therapy could save more than a million dollars over the lifetime of an individual with autism.Read More >Historic diagnosis Childhood disintegrative disorder may be the longest-lived of childhood psychiatric diagnoses. Austrian educator Theodor Heller described it more than 100 years ago, while working in a school for disabled children he had founded with his father. That reign may soon come to an end.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010Sent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

July 26, 2012

Thanks, SarafPresident, Foggy Coast Ventures, Inc.Owner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner USD-COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: July 24, 2012 6:57:52 AM PDTTo: Reply-To: Simons Foundation 24 July 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSElectrical activity identifies infants at risk of autismVIEWPOINTInsights for autism from tuberous sclerosis complexPROFILE : Searching for early signs of autismIN BRIEFClinical research: Autism diagnosis stable over timeMolecular mechanisms: Mock virus alters offspring's brainCognition and behavior: Maternal infection linked to anxietyTOOLBOXRadio implants help study social interactions in miceBLOGGene therapyCost comparisonNEWSElectrical activity identifies infants at risk of autism Two new studies of the brain's electrical activity bring the autism field one step closer to a physiological measure that can detect the disorder and predict who will go on to develop it.Read More >VIEWPOINTInsights for autism from tuberous sclerosis complex Studying tuberous sclerosis provides researchers with a unique opportunity to find a common pathway among the various genetic causes of autism, says neurologist Mustafa Sahin.Read More >PROFILE : Searching for early signs of autism , who famously showed that social deprivation damages the developing brain, is analyzing brain waves in babies to study how different genetic risk factors might lead to autism.Read More >IN BRIEFClinical research: Autism diagnosis stable over time Nearly all children diagnosed with autism retain their diagnosis when screened again at 8 years of age, according to a population-based study of more than 1,000 children, published in June in the Journal of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics.Read More >Molecular mechanisms: Mock virus alters offspring's brain Pregnant rats exposed to a virus give birth to offspring with significantly altered levels of three proteins important for brain development, according to a study published 9 June in Molecular Brain.Read More >Cognition and behavior: Maternal infection linked to anxiety Offspring born to pregnant rats with an activated immune system emit more distress calls when they receive electrical shocks than do controls, according to a study published 9 June in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.Read More >TOOLBOXRadio implants help study social interactions in mice Radio sensors that track multiple frequencies from devices implanted into mice allow researchers to track the animals' social behavior, according to a report published 12 June in the Journal of Neuroscience Methods.Read More >BLOGGene therapy Delicate dosage issues are just one complication of developing gene therapy for neurodevelopmental disorders.Read More >Cost comparison Early intensive behavioral therapy could save more than a million dollars over the lifetime of an individual with autism.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010Sent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

August 2, 2012

Thanks, SarafPresident, Foggy Coast Ventures, Inc.Owner/Editor of sList Newsletterwww.sList.comsList@...5694 Mission Center Rd., PMB 436San Diego, CA 92108Winner USD-COMPASS Family Center STAR Award, 2011Winner 10News Leadership Award, 2010

Begin forwarded message:Subject: Autism research news from SFARI.orgDate: July 31, 2012 7:01:38 AM PDTTo: 31 July 2012 • A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research InitiativeNEWSResearchers grapple with mixed results from cognitive studiesTuberous sclerosis gene loss triggers autism-like featuresCONFERENCE NEWS: Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation 2012Scientists track adult regression in autism-related syndromeIn Phelan-McDermid, motor neurons show irregularities IN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Autism gene regulates neuron shapeCognition and behavior: Fragile X carriers show autism signsGenetics: Study ties three immune genes to autismTOOLBOXSimple worms could help unravel complex human brainsBLOGParent perspectiveMusic's meaningNEWSResearchers grapple with mixed results from cognitive studies Some studies have suggested that people with autism have deficits in executive function — a set of complex mental processes involved in everyday life. But these results may instead reflect their difficulties imagining what other people are thinking, according to a provocative new hypothesis.Read More >Tuberous sclerosis gene loss triggers autism-like features Losing one or both copies of TSC1, one of the two genes responsible for tuberous sclerosis complex, in specific cells of the cerebellum can trigger several autism-like behaviors in mice, according to research published 1 July inNature.Read More >CONFERENCE NEWS: Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation 2012Scientists track adult regression in autism-related syndrome Several scientists at the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation's annual meeting focused on the wide range of symptoms, including a sudden loss of motor and cognitive skills, that seem to crop up in adults with the disorder.Read More >In Phelan-McDermid, motor neurons show irregularities Motor neurons derived from individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a rare autism-related disorder, form abnormal connections with muscle cells. The unpublished research was presented 26 July at a meeting of the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation in Orlando.Read More >IN BRIEFMolecular mechanisms: Autism gene regulates neuron shape TAOK2, a gene in the autism-associated 16p11.2 chromosomal region, is part of a signaling pathway that builds neuronal connections during development, according to a study published 10 June in Nature Neuroscience.Read More >Cognition and behavior: Fragile X carriers show autism signs Women who have a milder version of the fragile X mutation, which can lead to the full mutation in their children, have some features of autism, according to a study published 12 June in the American Journal of Medical Genetics.Read More >Genetics: Study ties three immune genes to autism Common variants in three genes involved in the immune system are more likely to crop up in people with autism than in typical controls, according to a study published 9 June in Molecular Autism.Read More >TOOLBOXSimple worms could help unravel complex human brains The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans may serve as a useful model to study synapses, the junctions between neurons, according to a study published 18 June in PLoS One.Read More >BLOGParent perspective Parents enroll their children in genetic research studies because of the opportunities to meet other families in the same situation, take control of their circumstances, and validate the medical nature of their child's condition, according to a report published 11 July in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.Read More >Music's meaning People with autism respond emotionally to music, they just have trouble expressing it, according to a study in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.Read More >160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010 • • sfari.orgSent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010Sent to valerieslist@... — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Simons Foundation · 160 5th Ave · Floor 7 · New York, NY 10010

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