Mutations in two genes linked to autism and intellectual disability boost the immune response and cause synapse dysfunction.

People and mice with only one working copy of the autism gene SYNGAP1 may have trouble processing sights and sounds.

The Spectrum team highlights five topics that distinguished autism research in 2020: diversity in data, gene therapies, subtyping, social circuitry and the ‘autism gene’ debate.

People with autism who carry DNA variants in the same protein-coding region of a gene have more similar cognitive abilities and behaviors than those who carry mutations in different regions of the same gene.

Autistic people are at an increased risk for intentional self-harm and death by suicide, but co-occurring psychiatric conditions may drive those behaviors.

Genetic sequences from nearly 53,000 people with autism, developmental delay or intellectual disability reveal strong ties to 98 genes.

Many people with mutations in the NCKAP1 gene have autism or autism traits, according to a new study spanning seven countries.

Autistic boys with large brains in early childhood still have large brains in adolescence, challenging the long-standing idea that brain enlargement in autism is temporary.

Spectrum is covering the 2020 International SYNGAP1 Scientific Conference, which took place virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic. Here we’re highlighting researchers’ reactions to noteworthy presentations.

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