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Spectrum: Autism Research News

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Synaptic

Exploring the people, the science and the challenges in autism research.
RECENT EPISODES
Logo for Spectrum’s Synaptic podcast.

Introducing ‘Synaptic,’ a new podcast from Spectrum

1 April 2023

Explore the people, the science and the challenges in autism research.

Portrait of Cathy Lord.

Episode One: Catherine Lord

31 March 2023

In this inaugural episode, Lord discusses her entry into autism research, what the future of the field might look like, and how drama club saved her in high school.

RECENT EPISODES
Composite research image of organoids at several stages of development.

Genetic background sways effects of autism-linked mutation

18 May 2023

Experiments offer clues to why certain mutations are associated with autism in some people and not others.

Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.

Null and Noteworthy: Arbaclofen results; another oxytocin edition

17 May 2023

New data from clinical trials of arbaclofen and oxytocin underscore the murkiness of null results. Plus, researchers seek clarity on the neurodevelopmental effects of oxytocin during childbirth.

Images from structural, functional and diffusion MRI scans.

Dataset maps connectivity in 40,000 brains

15 May 2023

The new resource aims to aid reproducibility in imaging research.

Still image taken from research video of three human microglia surveying their surroundings in a new experimental setup for studying the cells.

Grafted organoids reveal how microglia adapt to shifting brain environments

11 May 2023

The chimeric mouse model could provide a more realistic way to study microglia’s roles in brain conditions such as autism.

Spectrum Stories

Stories about autism, featuring experts, families and journalists.
RECENT EPISODES
portraits of four black autism researchers

What it’s like to be a Black autism researcher

22 October 2020

Spectrum spoke to four Black autism researchers about what it’s like to be in a field that’s overwhelmingly white, how police violence against Black people has affected them, and the joy of finding one another in ‘Black In Neuro.’

two people social distancing

Spectrum stories: Life in lockdown with autism

17 June 2020

Host Chelsey B. Coombs talks to clinicians and people with autism about their experience of the pandemic, how their routines have changed and some of the unexpected benefits.

man's hand on woman's shoulder creating a sensory reaction visualized by illustrated lines

Spectrum Stories: What social touch says about autism

18 June 2019

Understanding how touch is altered in autism could yield an early marker of the condition.

Illustration shows woman connecting digitally with other parents

Spectrum Stories: How social media aids discovery and diagnosis of autism-linked conditions

6 May 2019

Social media is connecting families with researchers who study rare conditions related to autism — to the benefit of both.