Using optogenetics, neurobiologists traced a stimulating physical touch from the skin all the way to the reward center of the brain for the first time.
Mitochondria fragment and fuse to meet the energetic needs of the cell. Research shows that poorly regulated mitochondrial dynamics contribute to conditions such as autism.
Mitochondria aren’t just the bean-shaped powerhouses of the cell. They are dynamic organelles that modify their structures to match their functions. Now, new research shows that mitochondrial morphology correlates not only with function, but also with symptom severity in autism.
Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that change their morphology in response to the energetic needs of the cell. But in some disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, mitochondria don't appropriately respond, and the resulting metabolic dysfunction contributes to symptom severity.
People with autism often struggle to understand nonverbal communication. Psychologist Suzanne Scherf wants to help them learn how to interpret this style of communication through the narrative power of video games.
From genetics to the microbiome, multiple factors contribute to autism. In a new longitudinal study, Alessio Fasano and his team hope to identify the signs leading to an autism diagnosis.
Malaria continues to drive urgent research worldwide, with new therapies and tools emerging to combat the parasite’s complex lifecycle and global burden.