9 October 2012

A Newsletter from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative

NEWS Study supports 'two-hit' model for developmental delay Researchers uncover new drug target for fragile X CONFERENCE NEWS New technologies may aid early detection of autism Automated analyses may improve study of social deficits Allen Institute aims to mass-produce stem cells

IN BRIEF Genetics: RNA improvisations altered in autism Clinical research: Israeli study shows high autism prevalence Molecular mechanisms: Autism gene linked to fragile X traits TOOLBOX Short screening tool flags children with autism BLOG Quiet Care Guest blog: Speedy mice

NEWS

Study supports 'two-hit' model for developmental delay

A comprehensive analysis of large deletions and duplications of DNA bolsters the idea that some cases of developmental delay and autism result from a combination of two damaging hits to the genome, according to research published 12 September in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Researchers uncover new drug target for fragile X

Deleting an enzyme that regulates protein synthesis reverses some of the molecular and behavioral deficits in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, according to research published 2 October in Neuron.

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CONFERENCE NEWS

New technologies may aid early detection of autism

Emerging technologies and software may help assess the subtle behaviors, such as gaze or social gestures, that go awry in children with autism, researchers said on 28 September at the Engineering and Autism conference.

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Automated analyses may improve study of social deficits

Sophisticated eye-tracking tools and other technologies are making it easier to record and analyze social interactions, and may help researchers study social deficits in children with autism. Researchers debuted some of these tools 28 September at the Engineering and Autism conference in Los Angeles.

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Allen Institute aims to mass-produce stem cells

The nonprofit Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle plans to make neurons from stem cells derived from people with a number of different disorders. The resource, described 25 September at a conference in New York, will be available to all scientists.

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IN BRIEF

Genetics: RNA improvisations altered in autism

RNA editing, which creates multiple forms of a protein, is common among proteins involved in neuronal signaling, and may be abnormal in people with autism, according to a study published 7 August in Molecular Psychiatry.

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Clinical research: Israeli study shows high autism prevalence

A new study finds that 48 of every 10,000 children in Israel have autism. This rate, published 27 July in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, is higher than previous estimates for Israel, but lower than the reported U.S. prevalence.

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Molecular mechanisms: Autism gene linked to fragile X traits

Deleting CYFIP1, a gene within a region linked to Angelman syndrome and autism, in mice leads to symptoms reminiscent of fragile X syndrome, according to a study published 10 August in PLoS One.

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TOOLBOX

Short screening tool flags children with autism

A subset of questions on two behavioral screens can distinguish children with autism from those with other developmental disorders, according to a study published 23 August in Autism.

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BLOG

Quiet Care
Adapting the hospital environment to suit the needs of children with autism can cut down how long the children spend there and how often they return, suggests a study in the 2012 issue of Autism Research and Treatment.

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Guest blog: Speedy mice

Amphetamines and other compounds with stimulant properties may improve social behaviors in a subset of individuals who have autism with hyperactivity, says Jill Silverman.

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