The discovery of microRNAs that regulate gene expression has changed our view of cellular biochemistry. It may also change our perception of neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, says Peng Jin.

A large study identifying common genetic variations that contribute to five different psychiatric disorders, including autism, sheds light on the disorder’s genetic architecture, says Benjamin Neale.

A group of genetic variants that are linked to schizophrenia do not seem to be associated with autism, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B.

Solving the riddle of autism genetics will require looking beyond the growing list of candidate genes to epigenetics and personalized medicine.

A research colony of feral monkeys may help scientists study how genetics contributes to complex social behaviors in fragile X syndrome, according to unpublished research presented Monday at the 2012 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in New Orleans.

Individually, common genetic variants confer little risk for autism. But taken together, they may contribute significantly, predicts a statistical analysis published 15 October in Molecular Autism.

Studying the well-characterized Williams syndrome could help researchers understand autism and discover new therapeutic targets, says Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg.

Postmortem brains from individuals with autism allow researchers to look at patterns of gene expression in different cell types, and to understand the interplay among neurons and neural circuits, says Dan Arking.

Identifying genetic variants that affect the expression of other genes can enhance traditional gene association analyses and highlight candidate risk factors for autism, according to a study published 16 May in Molecular Autism.

Large-scale swapping of genetic material between chromosomes may play an important role in autism, according to a study published 27 April in Cell.