Link discovered between touch of individuals with autism, their social difficulties
The sense of touch may play a more crucial role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than previously assumed. The main findings of the research show that individuals with ASD may have difficulties to determine which tactile sensations belong to the action of someone else. Ref. Source 1d.
Common medication restores social deficits in autism mouse model
Reducing the function of the autism-associated gene Pcdh10 leads to impairments in social behavior, according to a study. Reducing Pcdh10 function also disrupted the structure and function of circuitry in the amygdala, a brain region implicated in the behavior symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Ref. Source 6i.
Specific brain circuit tied to sociability in mice. Social behavior in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder normalized when investigators triggered the release of a specific signaling substance, serotonin, in a single part of the animals' brains, according to a new study. Source 5r.
Newly discovered gene mutation reduces fear and anxiety, and increases social interaction. Researchers have discovered of a new type of gene mutation that reduces fear and anxiety, and increases social interaction. The researchers employed gene manipulation technology to remove the P4h-tm gene from the mouse genome and found an unexpected change in mouse behavior. P4h-tm knockout mice showed striking courage and a lack of learned helplessness compared to congenic wild-type mice with a functional P4h-tm gene. Source 7m.
Infants later diagnosed with autism seldom initiate joint attention. A new study shows that infants who are later diagnosed with autism react adequately when others initiate joint attention, but seldom actively seek to establish such episodes themselves. This finding provides support for the view that children with autism have reduced social motivation already as infants. Source 2o.