autism tagged posts

Salk researchers have turned the skin cells of people with autism spectrum disorder into neurons. These cells show specific defects compared with those neurons derived from healthy people, including diminished ability to form excitatory connections with other neurons (indicated by red and green dots in the neuron). Credit: Salk Institute

The brains of some people with autism spectrum disorder grow faster than usual early on in life, often before diagnosis. A new study co-led by Salk Institute scientists has employed a cutting-edge stem cell technique to unravel the mechanisms driving the mysterious phenomenon of excess brain growth, which affects as many as 30% of people with autism...

Representation of the long/short polymorphism of the 5-HTT gene and the release, reception and recycling of serotonin in neurons. Adapted from Canli and Lesch

Stress during pregnancy has been linked to several conditions, including some instances of autism spectrum disorder. Now, researchers at the Uni of Missouri School of Medicine have observed a variant of a stress-sensitive gene and exposure to stress during pregnancy among two groups of mothers of children with autism. The researchers believe the finding could be a step toward helping identify women who have greater risks for having children with autism when exposed to stressors during a specific time window during pregnancy.

“Autism was thought to be largely a genetic disorder, but previous research has shown that environmental influ...

Image: Based upon conserved snoRNA sequence elements, this large population of guide RNAs has been divided into two major families designated the box C/D and the box H/ACA snoRNAs. The primary function of the box C/D snoRNAs is to guide 2′-O-methylation of targeted rRNA nucleotides while the box H/ACA snoRNAs direct the conversion of specific uridine residues to pseudouridine.

Scientists have discovered unexpected functions of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) that explain the cause of some genetic diseases and cancers. However, it is not clear how the change in snoRNA expression could lead to these diseases. Using RNA sequencing and molecular biology techniques, researchers found snoRNAs not only modify ribosomes, but can also regulate alternative splicing...

While folate deficiency is bad for developing fetus, excessive amounts could also be harmful. The researchers found that if a new mother has a very high level of folate right after giving birth ie > 4X what is considered adequate – the risk that her child will develop an autism spectrum disorder doubles. Very high vitamin B12 levels in new moms are also potentially harmful, tripling the risk that her offspring will develop an autism spectrum disorder. If both levels are extremely high, the risk that a child develops the disorder increases 17.6X. Folate, a B vitamin, is found naturally in fruits and vegetables, while the synthetic version, folic acid, is used to fortify cereals and breads in the United States and in vitamin supplements.

Folate is essential in cell growth and promotes neuro...