Blocking the enzyme, called TOP2A, in embryos makes the animals less inclined to seek companionship later in life.

New studies bolster the idea that zebrafish models can say something meaningful about social behavior in autism.

Zebrafish with mutations in 10 different autism-linked genes show a range of unique and shared phenotypes.

Scott describes his work on sound processing differences in the brains of zebrafish that model fragile X syndrome.

The gene, YTHDF2, has not previously been linked to autism.

The gene, YTHDF2, may be one of several that contribute to an autism subtype marked by an unusually big brain.

Ethan Scott packs his lab with math, physics and computer science experts to decode sensory brain networks in zebrafish models of autism.

Over the past century, scientists have used a variety of animal models to advance their understanding of the developing brain and autism.

In the past two decades, some autism researchers have turned to simple animals, such as roundworms, fruit flies and zebrafish, for their investigations. Others have sought answers from experiments with frogs, birds and even octopuses.

Researchers are increasingly turning to simple animals to learn about autism biology and find leads for new drugs.