Dysfunctional circuits and a rogue sodium channel in the brainstem may explain the disordered breathing pattern seen in children with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, a form of autism.

The first animal model of MYT1L syndrome suggests that fast-maturing neurons lead to the unusually small brains, social deficits and other traits seen in people with the condition.

Worms and zebrafish missing both copies of the gene CHD7 have disrupted cellular signaling, a dearth of inhibitory neurons and behavior changes — all of which are reversed by the stimulant drug ephedrine.

A new viral tool can selectively control different types of neurons that dampen brain activity in rodents, monkeys and people.

Autistic people who are hyperactive or have difficulty controlling their own impulses are the most likely to show ongoing self-injury.

The severity of autism tracks closely with that of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The brains of autistic children show few differences from those of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or even of controls.

Heightened sensory perception in toddlers with autism may predict sleep problems at around age 7.

Traits linked to autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder tend to co-occur even in adulthood.

Raphael Bernier and James Mancini describe the similarities and differences between autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.