An experimental drug that muffles the activity of neurons in the skin moderates heightened reactions to touch in six mouse models of autism.

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.

Lattice-like structures that surround neurons may be overly abundant — or scarce — in brain regions of three autism mouse models.

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

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

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

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