
You’ve heard a lot about CRISPR technology to manipulate gene expression.  But what have scientists actually learned?  Well, the cells in which DNA is manipulated could come from different animal models, including frogs and mice.  These model systems are used to track brain development, sex differences, and the downstream effects of convergence of genetic manipulations of autism relevant genes on brain cells.  They can be used, as one study demonstrated, to examine protective or resilience factors in the brain.  This week we talk to Helen Willsey, PhD, at UCSF to hear about her research about manipulating genes in frog eggs and what it says about the female protective effect.



https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33497602/



https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33243861/

Ribbit…Ribbit… frogs are the new mouse of ASD research

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Did you miss the ASF 2024 Day of Learning and can’t wait for the videos to be posted?  This is a 17 minute brief summary of what was discussed, but unfortunately, with no visuals.  Don’t just listen to the podcast, watch the videos when they are posted.  Also included in this podcast is a shoutout to the Profound Autism Summit which brought together hundreds of advocates around those who need 24/7 care for their lives.  The link to their advocacy page is here:  https://www.votervoice.net/ProfoundAutism/campaigns/112917/respond 

The 2024 Day Of Learning Quickie


This podcast has not covered transition from adolescence to adulthood in the past, probably because there has not been a lot of research in this area.  Luckily, recently there has been a surge of investigations and scientifically – supported interventions and recommendations for individuals who are transitioning to adulthood.  This podcast reviews the latest in where the gaps are and identified some (of many) areas that need further research.  Here are the references that will be helpful.  







https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38493400/



https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38501189/



https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38423723/



https://www.autismspeaks.org/tool-kit/transition-tool-kit

The Trouble with Transitions


This week’s podcast will be an interview with Matt Cicoria from the podcast Behavioral Observations.  We discuss the meaning of the words “Profound Autism” and why a blanket term  of “autism spectrum disorder” may not be helping anyone on the spectrum.  If you are in the Boston area on April 5th, please attend the Profound Autism Summit, link here:  https://www.profoundautismsummit.org









“What is Profound Autism?” with Matt from the podcast Behavioral Observations


Last week in North Carolina, the Meeting on Language in Autism was held, with 3 days of amazing presentations and lots of productive discussions about how language and speech develops and how people with autism communicate.  This podcast describes the origins of language development and how intervention during toddlerhood can promote lifelong language abilities.  To learn more about the meeting go to www.mola.org and to see the Autism Navigator, go to www.autismnavigator.org.









Missed the Meeting on Language in Autism?  Listen to this podcast


This podcast provides updates on studies that help with prediction of an autism diagnosis – which is important for preparing for the future and for intervening early.  First, a study that uses environmental factors to create an equation for the probability of a diagnosis following a combination of of non-genetic factors only which does a fairly good, but not perfect, job at predicting a diagnosis.  Second, a study that looks at the accuracy of a machine that predicts autism from eye gaze as early as 9 months of age and with only a 2 minute test.  This one wasn’t as accurate as the one that takes longer and tests older kids, but it’s a first step.  No ONE thing does a perfect job at predicting a diagnosis – it’s going to be a combination of things, tested over time and multiple times that will be most helpful at predicting a diagnosis.  Both studies are open access!







https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10904522/pdf/fpsyt-15-1291356.pdf



https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/38429348/  

Ribbit…Ribbit… frogs are the new mouse of ASD research

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