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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Author

Nicholette Zeliadt

Managing Editor

Nicholette Zeliadt manages Spectrum’s staff writers and interns, and she commissions and edits news and opinion articles. She joined Spectrum as news writer in 2014. Before that, she was a freelance writer and editor. Her work has appeared in The New York TimesScientific AmericanNature MedicineScience and The Scientist.Nicholette has a Ph.D. in environmental health from the University of Minnesota
and a B.A. in biochemistry from the University of Iowa.

Contact Info

[email protected]

January 2020
Small child with fever has his temperature checked

Fever’s immune effect on brain may ease autism traits

by  /  8 January 2020

An immune molecule produced during a fever improves sociability in three mouse models of autism.

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December 2019
Mother mouse with pups on white

Multiple genes may conspire to lead to autism traits

by  /  23 December 2019

The many genes implicated in Williams syndrome, a condition related to autism, may all work together to exert their effects on behavior.

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Mice neurons seen in green

Loss of autism gene may lead to pile-up of proteins in neurons

by  /  19 December 2019

A shortage of CUL3, a leading autism gene, may impair social behavior in mice by ramping up protein production in neurons.

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Magnified view of mitochondria in mice

Immune cells may underlie anxiety in autistic people

by  /  16 December 2019

Some cases of anxiety, which often accompanies autism, may stem from a faulty immune system, a new study suggests — but some experts are skeptical.

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A single ecstasy pill on a blue background.

Distinct brain pathway underlies ecstasy’s social effects

by  /  11 December 2019

The drug popularly known as ecstasy may boost sociability through brain circuits distinct from that underlying its ‘high.’

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red blood cells

Gene repeats tied to autism may prevent anemia

by  /  9 December 2019

Extra copies of a gene called BOLA2 predispose people to autism and may protect against iron deficiency.

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November 2019

Mutations in emerging autism gene tied to distinct traits

by  /  27 November 2019

People who have mutations in a gene called PHF21A tend to have a constellation of traits and conditions, including autism.

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Boy staring at fidget spinner

Risk genes for autism overlap with those for attention deficit

by  /  25 November 2019

People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may carry certain rare, harmful mutations in many of the same genes as people with autism.

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Mouse study reveals overlooked target for autism therapies

by  /  20 November 2019

Blocking one form of an enzyme implicated in autism eases unusual behaviors and seizures in mice missing a top autism gene.

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Woman doing yoga on grass field

Vitamin D linked to lowered autism risk in large study

by  /  20 November 2019

Children born with high blood levels of vitamin D have 25 percent decreased odds of autism compared with those born with low levels.

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