Spectrum: Autism Research News

The branch of the nervous system that regulates subconscious bodily processes such as breathing and digestion may play a key role in autism.

Not much is known about the connection between autism and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition that affects collagen. But preliminary work provides tantalizing clues.

Genes associated with autism are ancient, and mutations in them have wide-ranging effects on the body, indicating their importance.