Autism

ɬ�﷬ discovery sheds new light on autism, intellectual disabilities

keila.depape@mcgill.ca — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 15:04:58 +0000

A new study by ɬ�﷬ researchers yields insights into how the disruption of calcium transport in the brain is linked to autism and intellectual disability. The findings, published in the journal Nature, not only upend a long-held belief among neuroscientists, but could pave the way for treatments.

Music improves social communication in autistic children

justin.dupuis@mcgill.ca — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 18:37:01 +0000

Engaging in musical activities such as singing and playing instruments in one-on-one therapy can improve autistic children’s social communication skills, improve their family’s quality of life, as well as increased brain connectivity in key networks, according to researchers at Université de Montréal and ɬ�﷬.

New Insight Into How Autism Might Develop in Human Brain

justin.dupuis@mcgill.ca — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 18:41:18 +0000

In a study published in Stem Cell Reports, a ɬ�﷬ team of scientists led by Dr. Carl Ernst, researcher at the Douglas Hospital Research Centre, revealed a molecular mechanism that may play a role in the development of autism.

By taking skin cells from patients and reprogramming those cells to become brain cells through genetic engineering, Dr. Ernst, graduate student Scott Bell, and Edward A. Fon and Thomas M. Durcan, colleagues at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, tracked how a brain cell with the patient’s own mutation develops improperly.

Transformative donation of $16 million establishes new autism research centre at the Montreal Neurological Institute

laurie.devine@mcgill.ca — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 19:49:47 +0000

A new research centre in Montreal will help lift the shroud of mystery surrounding autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and lead to the development of better diagnostic tools and more effective therapies for people with autism.

Pinpointing the origins of autism

laurie.devine@mcgill.ca — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 15:41:55 +0000

The origins of autism remain mysterious. What areas of the brain are involved, and when do the first signs appear? New findings published in Biological Psychiatry bring us closer to understanding the pathology of autism, and the point at which it begins to take shape in the human brain. Such knowledge will allow earlier interventions in the future and better outcomes for autistic children.

Diabetes drug may help symptoms of autism-associated condition

justin.dupuis@mcgill.ca — Mon, 15 May 2017 15:43:15 +0000

Metformin, the most widely used drug to treat type 2 diabetes, could potentially be used to treat symptoms of Fragile X syndrome, an inherited form of intellectual disability and a cause of some forms of autism.

A new study led by researchers at ɬ�﷬, the University of Edinburgh and Université de Montréal has found that metformin improves social, behavioural and morphological defects in Fragile X mice.

‘Baby talk’ can help songbirds learn their tunes

nima.adibpour@mail.mcgill.ca — Tue, 31 May 2016 14:46:05 +0000

ɬ�﷬ Newsroom

The research has implications for understanding human developmental disorders such as autism

Adult songbirds modify their vocalizations when singing to juveniles in the same way that humans alter their speech when talking to babies. The resulting brain activity in young birds could shed light on speech learning and certain developmental disorders in humans, according to a study by ɬ�﷬ researchers.

Ridha Joober

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 16:59:44 +0000