The evidence linking autism and maternal infections grows, special neuron recipes are in development, a CRISPR pioneer envisions unicorns, and 23andMe delivers empathy data.
Pups born to pregnant mice infected with a mock virus are known to show changes in their immune system. These effects may in turn impair proper brain signaling, according to results presented Saturday at the 2013 Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego.
Children born to women who had low blood levels of vitamin D while pregnant double their risk of autism.
A woman who smokes while pregnant may increase autism risk in her daughter’s children.
A mother’s immune response to a severe infection during pregnancy disrupts the expression of autism genes in her child, a rat study suggests.
Having autism as a parent might seem impossibly challenging. But a generation of parents with the condition is showing that it can be an advantage — even when their child does not share the diagnosis.
Increased autism risk among children exposed to antidepressants in utero may be related less to the medications than to the mothers’ depression.
A large study finds that certain health complications during pregnancy or delivery increase the chances of having a child with autism by 26 percent or more.
Babies who have their first bowel movement before birth have a slightly increased risk of autism, according to a study of nearly 10 million people.
Donald Trump seems to see science through the lens of conspiracy, Brexit may spur an exodus of scientific talent from the United Kingdom, and preterm babies show atypical brain activity before birth.