A new gene therapy approach for epilepsy tamps down neural activity on demand.

Rumbaugh, who studies how the autism-linked gene SYNGAP1 shapes brain development, describes how he has embraced coastal living and which aspects of his career he wouldn’t do over.

Having an infection during pregnancy is tied to a small increase in the chances of having an autistic child, but the connection may not be causal.

The in-depth approach shows mutations in the autism-linked gene disrupt neuronal growth and communication, as well as mitochondrial gene expression.

Using imaging methods to sort mouse models of autism may help identify subtypes of autistic people with similar underlying biology.

Pagani used mouse models to connect autism etiologies to brain connectivity alterations and then found similar alterations in people with idiopathic forms of the condition.

The circuit linking the prefrontal cortex and part of the thalamus is impaired in mice raised in social isolation and in mice with mutations in the FMR1 or TSC2 genes.

The temporary easing of traits that a minority of autistic children are reported to show during or after a fever may stem from a rise in body temperature.

Rhythmic variations in the genes’ brain expression levels may help explain the sleep problems that often accompany the condition.

Data from two separate research teams suggest the cells are key to sensory hypersensitivity in fragile X syndrome.