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Spectrum: Autism Research News

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The latest developments in autism research.

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A photograph of Thomas Sudhof standing in a courtyard

Nobel laureate’s study earns expression of concern over data integrity issues

by  /  19 October 2023

Data sleuths have flagged apparent errors in the study, which was led by neuroscientist Thomas Südhof.

A crumpled piece of paper atop a stack of papers against a grey background

Article defending private-equity involvement in autism services retracted

by ,  /  19 October 2023
Nearly two-thirds of the article’s references appear to not exist.
Research image of various types of cells.

Vast diversity of human brain cell types revealed in trove of new datasets

by  /  12 October 2023
The collection offers a glimpse into differences in cell composition — across people and brain regions — that may shape neural function.
Photograph of a gloved hand pointing to a computer screen that is displaying an image of a mouse brain.

Uncertainty and excitement surround one company’s cell therapy for epilepsy

by  /  5 October 2023
After 10 years of work, Neurona may have the data to quiet its skeptics. But its ongoing clinical trial will be the ultimate test.

Latest News

Two people sit on opposite edges of a cliff.

Spectrum 10K consultation report delayed

by  /  7 March 2024

The U.K.-based genetics study launched the consultation more than a year ago in response to fierce criticism from autistic self-advocates.

A research image of autism-linked genes.

Autism-linked perturbations converge on cell skeleton and RNA-binding proteins

by  /  29 February 2024

The findings solidify the idea that autism-linked mutations affect brain activity by way of several key shared mechanisms.

A stack of papers with red tape.

Autism journal retracts speech-recognition paper, pauses special issue

by  /  29 February 2024

The journal’s publisher flagged problems in 11 papers that were part of a special issue on assistive technology in special education.

A woman sits on the edge of her bed in a darkened room.

Life expectancy lags for autistic people in United Kingdom

by  /  15 February 2024

The finding confirms past research that links autism to early death, but it also suggests that the life expectancy gap may be smaller than previously thought.

A diagram of autism-linked genes.

Autism-linked proteins mingle with other molecules in overlapping networks

by  /  8 February 2024

A massive new set of interaction maps illuminates especially high convergence in protein networks related to autism and shows how mutations could disrupt those networks.

Top autism-linked genes join forces to shape synaptic plasticity

by  /  29 January 2024

The protein products of ANK2 and SCN2A interact to regulate dendritic excitability.

Two hands hold a mouse.

Noisy brain may underlie some of autism’s sensory features

by  /  18 January 2024

Random fluctuations in neuronal activity are more variable in a fragile X mouse model than in wildtype mice.

A research image of a mouse brain.

Immune-activation model mice escape infantile amnesia, retain early memories

by  /  11 January 2024

Male pups born to mothers treated with immune-stimulating molecules show autism-like behaviors and, unlike wildtype animals, do not lose memories formed during early life.

A child uses a tablet device

New tablet-based tools to spot autism draw excitement — and questions

by  /  4 January 2024

Handheld devices promise to bring autism detection home, but many researchers urge caution.

Three groups of people meet and mix at a crossroads.

Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023

by  /  28 December 2023

Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.

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