Q&A

Clinical psychologist Adam Guastella is driven to develop treatments that work for all autistic people — and to throw birthday parties for a few of those people.

Lilia Iakoucheva spends her days running outdoors and solving the molecular complexities of autism, sometimes at the same time.

Eye tracking shows that mavoglurant, a once-abandoned experimental drug for fragile X syndrome, enters the brain and boosts social interest, says Elizabeth Berry-Kravis.

Gabriela Rosenblau relives the joys — and pains — of setting up a new lab.

Katie Carey, who has illustrated several Spectrum articles, reveals her creative process and her strategies for pushing past mental blocks.

Michael Gandal, who studies the genetics of brain conditions, offers unusual advice on team building: Lock everyone up in a room together.

How researchers design autism prevalence studies has a significant impact on the results, says Eric Fombonne.

Mu Yang spends her days watching mice and her evenings building muscle.

Mouse-model researcher Nicola Grissom snacks on chocolate-covered espresso beans and pops bubble wrap to stay focused.

Genes linked to autism are critical to the development of star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes, suggesting a key role for the cells in the condition.