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Society for Neuroscience 2012

SFN 2012

Robotic tool profiles patterns of neurons

by  /  19 October 2012
Researchers have launched a $4.3 million five-year collaborative effort to profile thousands of types of neurons in the brain, detailing their shape, signaling patterns and gene expression. The project was presented in a poster session Tuesday at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.
SFN 2012

Movement patterns may distinguish autism subgroups

by  /  19 October 2012
Analysis of the movement patterns of people with autism suggests a new approach to classifying the disorder, as well as opportunities for individualized treatment, according to research presented at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.
SFN 2012

Fragile X syndrome can be treated in adulthood

by  /  19 October 2012
Activating the expression of FMR1, the gene mutated in fragile X syndrome, in adult mice reverses symptoms of the syndrome, according to a poster presented Monday at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.
October 2012
SFN 2012

Cognitive test highlights flexibility deficits in autism

by  /  19 October 2012

A new cognitive test demonstrates the difficulties people with autism have with flexible thinking, according to a poster presented Wednesday at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

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SFN 2012

Study implicates ‘pleasure circuit’ in Angelman syndrome

by  /  18 October 2012

Mice that model Angelman syndrome, an autism-related disorder, are more motivated to earn rewards than controls are, according to unpublished results presented Wednesday at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

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SFN 2012

Imaging techniques capture real-world social interaction

by  /  18 October 2012

Three new approaches to brain imaging, presented Tuesday at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans, allow researchers to probe how the brain responds to social situations.

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SFN 2012

Researchers swing toward monkey models of autism

by  /  18 October 2012

Researchers in Japan have completed the first step in creating transgenic monkey models of autism, according to a poster presented Wednesday at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

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SFN 2012

Prenatal antibodies boost brain stem cells in mice

by  /  18 October 2012

Prenatal exposure to antibodies collected from the mothers of children with autism boosts stem cell proliferation in the brains of mice, according to two studies presented at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

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SFN 2012

Stem cell study identifies early issues in Rett syndrome

by  /  17 October 2012

Neural stem cells derived from people with Rett syndrome show early signs of dysfunction, according to unpublished research presented at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting.

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SFN 2012

Video: The importance of listening with the eyes

by  /  17 October 2012

Eyes and ears work together to help us communicate with others. In a video interview with SFARI.org, Sophie Molholm explains that this process goes awry in children with autism.

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SFN 2012

SHANK3 mice comparisons reveal array of differences

by  /  17 October 2012

Different mutations in the autism-linked SHANK3 gene lead to distinct glitches at the synapse, the junction between neurons, according to unpublished research presented Tuesday at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

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SFN 2012

New test probes real-world aspects of theory of mind

by  /  17 October 2012

A new way to evaluate theory of mind, the ability to imagine what others are thinking or feeling, shows promise for teasing apart the different aspects of this complex mental process, according to a poster presented Tuesday at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

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SFN 2012

Video: Playing with light to manipulate the brain

by  /  17 October 2012

In a video interview at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, Edward Boyden discusses new tools his lab is developing to refine optogenetics techniques.

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