In comparing gene expression profiles and SNP risk across psychiatric disorders, Michael Gandal, Daniel Geschwind and colleagues found that shared genetic risk manifests in alterations in gene networks.
Research Highlights
Highlights of SFARI-funded papers, selected by the SFARI science team.
Using a mouse lacking brain-localized NHE9, Edwards shows that pH gradients affect neuronal communication and autism-like behaviors.
Alternations in network communication, not synaptic dysfunction, linked to behavioral alterations in fragile X syndrome
Assessing network and synaptic communication in the hippocampus of behaving Fmr-1 null mice, André Fenton and colleagues showed altered network communication linked to behavioral alterations in fragile X syndrome.
Male, but not female, 16p11.2 deletion mice show deficits in reward learning
By assessing the 16p11.2 deletion autism mouse model, Ted Abel and colleagues uncover male-specific vulnerabilities in striatal signaling and reward function.
Two studies highlight the utility of carrier-derived iPSC-derived neurons for the study of neurodevelopmental disorders
Lauren Weiss and Erik Ullian report on two studies using carrier-derived iPSC neurons to elucidate cellular phenotypes associated with 16p11.2 CNVs and a BRAF RASopathy mutation.
Genomic patterns of de novo mutation in simplex autism
Evan Eichler and Robert Darnell provide deep whole genome sequencing of 516 families with idiopathic autism, providing insights into the complex etiology of simplex autism.