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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: environment

February 2021
Heatmap plot showing how each genetic variant plus autism group differed.

Copy number variations linked to autism have diverse but overlapping effects

by  /  1 February 2021

People with mutations in distant chromosomal regions often share a range of autism traits, even if they do not meet the diagnostic threshold for autism.

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January 2021
SEM of faecal bacteria.

Study hints at microbiome differences in children with autism

by  /  14 January 2021

Children with autism may have a subtly different set of bacteria in their gut than their non-autistic siblings do.

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December 2020
Approximately 24 month old twin girls, one of them reaching for something.

Genes’ influence on social behaviors shifts with age

by  /  14 December 2020

Some social behaviors associated with autism are heritable, but the extent to which genes and the environment influence these behaviors changes as a child grows.

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Two children are interacting with a toy in the shape of a brain.

How redefining autism could improve research on the condition

by  /  8 December 2020

Ami Klin wants researchers, clinicians and policymakers to think of autism as something inborn that only predisposes a child to certain traits. Early intervention can change the course of development.

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November 2020
Mother affectionately hugging young son.

Inheritance plays different roles in autism with and without intellectual disability

by  /  19 November 2020

Autism with intellectual disability is less heritable than autism alone, according to a new study of how the conditions run in extended families.

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October 2020
Collecting blood sample from bottom of newborn's foot for blood test.

Immune markers in newborns show complex relationship with autism odds

by  /  19 October 2020

Newborns with either above- or below-average levels of an immune-system marker, among other differences, have increased odds of being autistic.

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August 2020
Young child on her bed looking at a book.

Studies unravel diversity of traits tied to chromosome 16 mutations

by  /  3 August 2020

Two new analyses help to explain why mutations to the chromosomal region 16p11.2 can lead to autism, intellectual disability or language difficulties.

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July 2020
Mouse with optpgenetic device in its head

Wireless optogenetics device reveals new role for ‘cuddle hormone’

by  /  15 July 2020

A new wireless device switches oxytocin-producing neurons on and off in mice as they interact, showing the hormone’s effects depend on social context.

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June 2020

Why it is critical to assess quality of life in people with autism

by ,  /  2 June 2020

Researchers and clinicians need fast, effective tools to measure quality of life in autistic people.

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May 2020
map of the world.

Autistic in a pandemic: Stories from around the world

by  /  26 May 2020

Nearly two dozen autistic people or their caregivers in 19 countries told Spectrum how the initial weeks of the pandemic have challenged and changed them.

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