Author: lrrowley

Connecting research and clinics to help those with autism

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One of the goals of the study is to discover how genetic variations in young people with ASD are related to brain changes that lead to clinical symptoms of the disorder, such as impaired social interaction and repetitive behaviors. “If you think about it, in between genes and clinical symptoms [of ASD] are changes in brain development,” says Lainhart. “Genes first impact brain development, and as a result of changes in how the brain develops, there are clinical manifestations of what we recognize as ASD.”

David Gamm, MD, PhD – Slide of the Week

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Numerous protocols have been described that produce neural retina from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), many of which are based on the culture of 3D organoids. While nearly all such methods yield at least partial segments of highly mature-appearing retinal structure, variabilities exist within and between organoids that can change over a protracted time course of differentiation.

Waisman Center 2018: Year in review

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We’re delighted to share a video highlighting many of the strides we have made over the past year. Your generous and thoughtful contributions help us continue to pioneer research and expand clinical services that benefit individuals and families impacted by developmental disabilities and neurodegenerative diseases. Together we are transforming lives and building brighter futures—without you, …

Christopher Coe, PhD – Slide of the Week

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The developing immune system is an adaptive system, primed by antigens, responsive to infectious pathogens, and can be affected by other aspects of the early rearing environment, including deviations from the normal provision of parental care. We investigated whether early rearing in an institutional setting, even when followed by years living in supportive and well-resourced families, would be associated with a persistent shift in T cell profiles.

Black youths less protected from antisocial behaviors than white peers

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Black youths are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Yet, says University of Wisconsin–Madison Psychology Professor James Li, they are underrepresented by research studies examining the behaviors that can lead them there, and the potential interventions to help prevent it. Most studies have focused on predominantly white adolescents.

Viji Easwar, PhD – Slide of the Week

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Accurate use of interaural time differences (ITDs) for spatial hearing may require access to bilateral auditory input during sensitive periods in human development. Providing bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) simultaneously promotes symmetrical development of bilateral auditory pathways but does not support normal ITD sensitivity.

Leann Smith DaWalt, PhD – Slide of the Week

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Young adults with ASD in the intervention group experienced a reduction in behavior problems over a six month period. There was no change observed for the control group.

New gift to support research and training

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A new estate gift will help support research and expand undergraduate and graduate student training in the area of intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Waisman Center. This significant gift – more than $1 million from the estate of Genevieve Lyda – establishes the Lyda Family Fund, a permanent endowment for the Waisman Center. Genevieve …

STEM CELLS @ 20

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Twenty years ago, a seminal discovery by researchers at UW–Madison introduced stem cells to the world. Since then, this new tool has transformed science and opened new doors for translational research. Stem cells are undifferentiated “master cells” capable of transforming into any of the body’s cell types. Waisman Center researchers have been at the forefront …

Small miracle: Stem cells drive research and entrepreneurship in Madison

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From five examples of human embryonic stem cells in 1998 to 1,364 different lines of stem cell cultures today, the field of stem cell research has come so far in the past 20 years. The Capital Times highlights stem cell research milestones, challenges and future prospects on the 20th anniversary of stem cell research at …