Families of children with mutations in a gene called SYNGAP1 have spurred research into the effects of the mutations on people — and how to treat them.

A new technique leads to neuron cultures of consistent quality, enabling scientists to study how autism mutations alter neurons.

The signaling imbalance theory holds that the brains of autistic people are hyper-excitable because of either excess neuronal activity or weak brakes on that activity.

An analysis of four mouse models negates certain assumptions underlying the signaling imbalance theory of autism.

The brains of rats exposed in utero to the seizure drug valproate show a significant increase in brain size around the time of birth.

The largest genetic analysis of postmortem brain tissue to date has yielded maps of when and where genes related to autism are turned on and off throughout life.

Administering a cholesterol drug alongside an antibiotic eases atypical behavior and restores the signaling balance in the brains of people with fragile X syndrome.

Experiences may shape the human brain by altering neurons that boost brain activity.

Specialized neurons called chandelier cells, which dampen brain signals, make unusually few connections in the brains of people with autism.

Mice lacking one copy of a leading autism gene have hyperexcitable brains and problems with learning and memory.