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Spectrum: Autism Research News

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Environment

From parental age to infection during pregnancy, environmental elements can influence autism risk.

July 2017

Genetics guides gaze during social interactions, study finds

by  /  12 July 2017

The tendency of people with autism to not make eye contact is rooted in genetics, suggests a study of identical and fraternal twins.

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Regional autism rates point to impact of awareness, training

by  /  10 July 2017

The odds of getting an autism diagnosis depend on where in the United States a person lives.

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June 2017

Autism risk climbs with number of fevers during pregnancy

by  /  26 June 2017

Having fevers while pregnant boosts the risk of having a child with autism, according to a study of more than 95,000 women.

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Maternal infection may alter neuronal signals, connections

by  /  9 June 2017

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.

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Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy tied to autism risk

by  /  8 June 2017

Children born to women who had low blood levels of vitamin D while pregnant double their risk of autism.

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May 2017

Smoking during pregnancy may up autism risk in grandchildren

by  /  29 May 2017

A woman who smokes while pregnant may increase autism risk in her daughter’s children.

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Infection during pregnancy may alter expression of autism genes

by  /  22 May 2017

A mother’s immune response to a severe infection during pregnancy disrupts the expression of autism genes in her child, a rat study suggests.

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Adult man sits with back turned to viewer, people walk together in the distance.

Untold stories of adults with autism

by  /  16 May 2017

Most of the conversation about autism — whether about services or science — concerns children with the condition. But what happens when children with autism grow up?

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Parents’ ages influence autism traits in general population

by  /  4 May 2017

Children born to parents who are unusually young or old stand an increased chance of having features of autism or other psychiatric conditions.

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April 2017

Romanian orphans reveal clues to origins of autism

by  /  25 April 2017

Understanding autism features in children who were deprived of social contact as infants could offer clues to the condition.

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