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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.

January 2020
Two twin girls wearing blue kneeling down on the ground.

Early life experiences may shift severity of autism

by  /  17 January 2020

A child’s environment exerts a strong influence on the severity of her autism, a study of identical twins suggests.

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Young man in textured space, environmental factors and genes swarm in and around him

Autism heritability: It probably does not mean what you think it means

by  /  7 January 2020

The question of autism’s heritability is compelling for researchers and laypeople alike, but many people in both groups misunderstand its definition.

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November 2019

Acetaminophen use in pregnancy linked to autism, attention deficit in children

by  /  28 November 2019

Pregnant women’s use of acetaminophen may increase the odds of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in their children.

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Woman doing yoga on grass field

Vitamin D linked to lowered autism risk in large study

by  /  20 November 2019

Children born with high blood levels of vitamin D have 25 percent decreased odds of autism compared with those born with low levels.

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October 2019
white mouse

Double immune hit challenges female mice’s resistance to autism

by  /  23 October 2019

Female mice can withstand a maternal antibody that triggers brain abnormalities and autism-like behaviors in males. But additional immune challenges spell trouble.

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Maternal infection may accelerate expression of autism genes

by  /  21 October 2019

Exposure to infection in utero may speed up the expression of many genes linked to autism — and hasten changes in brain anatomy.

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Mock flu triggers changes in brain, behavior of monkeys

by  /  20 October 2019

Marmosets exposed to a mock infection in the womb have altered vocal development and diminished social interest; exposed macaques show changes in brain structure and function.

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September 2019
simulated embryos seen developing over time

Human embryo model provides window into early development

by  /  30 September 2019

A 3D model of a human embryo reveals the biological processes that unfold in early development.

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pregnant woman having blood test taken from finger

Anemia in pregnant woman may alter child’s brain development

by  /  20 September 2019

Being anemic while pregnant may increase a woman’s chance of having a child with intellectual disability, autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

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August 2019
Woman looks at her newborn from under the operating tent of c-section surgery

Cesarean sections tenuously tied to autism

by ,  /  29 August 2019

A new study that combines data from more than 20 million births has found that a cesarean section delivery is associated with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

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