SFARI | Category: Uncategorized

Confocal microscopy image of neurons in the nucleus accumbens of a mouse.

Acetylcholine Helps Dopamine Reward Hard Work

An image comparing the presence of ZBTB18 mRNA and ZBTB18 protein in germinal-zone cells shows that whilst RNA is detectable, the protein is not.

Protein Levels, Not Just Transcripts, Hold Clues to Autism

A little boy with Autism and his sister sitting playing together laughing and being happy, smiling and cute.

Age at Autism Diagnosis Linked to Distinct Genetic Profiles

Recent SFARI-funded research challenges the idea that autism represents a single condition driven by a uniform set of genetic risk factors. Instead, the results support a developmental framework in which distinct constellations of polygenic influences are linked to different diagnostic timelines.

An image of control neurons in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of fetal macaque showing their many dendrites, compared to immature neurons that have few dendrites.

Multimodal Approach Reveals How Autism-Linked Genes Shape Primate Prefrontal Cortex Development

SFARI-funded research finds that RAPGEF4 is a key molecular regulator orchestrating prefrontal cortical maturation in primates.

Simons Foundation Announces 2024 Class of Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Fellows

The Simons Foundation is pleased to announce the newest recipients of its Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN). The 75 talented undergraduates will gain hands-on research experience and contribute to neuroscience research.

Lead image for the announcement of the recipients of the 2023 Pilot Awards.

2023 Summer Pilot Awards Announced

SFARI is pleased to announce that it intends to fund 14 grants in response to the 2023 Summer Pilot Award request for applications.

Image from research by Juergen Knoblich.

Two studies using brain organoids reveal cell-type-specific changes during the early stages of human forebrain neuronal development in autism

Two studies by different research groups — one led by Flora Vaccarino and the other by Juergen Knoblich — used brain organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells of people with autism and showed how transcriptional alterations affecting certain cell types during human brain development could contribute to the early emergence of ASD.

Simons Searchlight gathers families and researchers for conference on CSNK2A1– and SETBP1–related conditions

On August 4, 2022, SFARI and Simons Searchlight helped to host two scientific workshops focused on neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) that are linked to mutations in the CSNK2A1 and SETBP1 genes. Meeting in Baltimore, the workshops were held in conjunction with a family conference that gathered together people with these conditions and their family members.

Clinical trial of arbaclofen for 16p11.2 deletion has launched

Clinical Research Associates, L.L.C., an affiliate of the Simons Foundation, has recently launched a randomized controlled trial to test the safety, tolerability and efficacy of arbaclofen in 16p11.2 BP4-BP5 deletion syndrome.

SFARI April 2022 announcements: Autism Rat Models Consortium awardees announced, Autism BrainNet Appreciation Award recipients and more

This issue of the SFARI newsletter includes: (1) SFARI Autism Rat Models Consortium awardees announced, (2) 2022 Autism BrainNet Appreciation Award recipients announced, (3) INSYNC-AS inaugural meeting discusses the therapeutic landscape for Angelman syndrome, (4) Highlights of SFARI-funded research, (5) SFARI Supplement to Enhance Equity and Diversity — Request for applications, (6) SPARK Research Match Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity — Request for applications.