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Spectrum: Autism Research News

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The latest developments in autism research.

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Research diagram of brains viewed from overhead and in profile.

Brain signatures of rare variants hint at cardiovascular risk

by  /  24 March 2023

People whose brains look like those of people who carry autism-linked copy number variants also share markers of heart health.

Research image of the posterior insular cortex.

Maternal immune response dulls male rats’ social radar

by  /  27 March 2023
Male rats prenatally exposed to a maternal immune response have atypical responses to other rats in distress, according to a new study.
A toy or abacus with emoji-styled yellow faces instead of beads. The faces show different expressions, with many happy faces that are on the outside of the main framework.

‘Flourishing’ measure may not hold up for autistic children

by  /  29 March 2023
Evidence of measurement bias undermines past claims about autistic children’s lower well-being.
Overhead picture of a racially diverse group of children playing while lying on a blue carpet.

U.S. autism prevalence continues to rise as race and sex gaps shrink, new stats show

by  /  23 March 2023
About 1 in 36 children in the United States has autism, up almost 20 percent from the previous estimate, reflecting improved identification, particularly among girls and Black, Hispanic and Asian or Pacific Islander children.

Latest News

Research illustration of three brain diagrams.

Brain connectivity, behavior flag four autism subtypes

by  /  31 March 2023

A machine-learning technique applied to brain imaging data appears to predict a person’s mix of verbal intelligence, social affect and repetitive behaviors.

A hand reaches from above to add a pill to a stack that is resting against the x-axis of a graph.

Going on Trial: Trofinetide approval for Rett; n-of-1 ASO therapies; cord-blood deals

by  /  30 March 2023

This month’s issue of the Going on Trial newsletter examines personalized therapies for rare conditions, Acadia’s new drug for Rett syndrome and developments in a cord-blood program, among other autism-related drug trial news.

Many mouths making conversation, with speech bubbles in red and blue.

Community Newsletter: Suicide in autism; neural cell isolation; analysis of autism genes

by  /  26 March 2023

Discussion on social media revolved around a meta-analysis of suicidality in autism, a method to purify neural stem and progenitor cells, and autism-linked genes in zebrafish.

Research image of cultured neurons.

Cannabis compound rebalances signaling to quell seizures in mice

by  /  22 March 2023

Cannabidiol (CBD) blocks the action of a molecule that drives an overexcitability feedback loop in a rodent model of epilepsy.

Adapted research image of immunofluorescence staining of primary cortical neurons showing expression of PTBP proteins and reduced level of the protein SYNGAP1.

‘Splice-switching’ strategy boosts SYNGAP1 expression

by  /  21 March 2023

The approach improves the function of SYNGAP1-deficient neurons in vitro, but whether it will work in people remains unclear.

Still image showing activity of activity of neurons with genetic mutations in the 15q11-13 chromosomal region.

Single gene insufficient to account for dup15q, Angelman traits

by  /  21 March 2023

UBE3A, a key gene associated with both autism-linked conditions, can explain most — but not all — of the syndromes’ atypical neuronal properties.

Speech bubble formed by a network of communication

Community Newsletter: Tracing fruit fly, human connectomes

by  /  19 March 2023

Researchers took to Twitter this week to discuss the most complete map of brain structure to date — that of a larval fruit fly — and the largest-yet human brain connectivity resource.

Drop of liquid medicine with air bubbles is dripping from a pipette on a light pink background.

FDA approval of trofinetide may spur further drug development for Rett

by  /  16 March 2023

The drug, welcomed by patients, might be just the first of many.

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: Registered reports; motor measurements; viral DNA

by  /  16 March 2023

In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, Spectrum talks with a Nature editor about the journal’s move to publish more null results.

Image of scientists working in a lab.

African genetics study NeuroDev shares initial findings

by  /  15 March 2023

The most comprehensive study of neurodevelopmental conditions in Kenya and South Africa ever conducted shares preliminary results and lessons.

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