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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.

February 2018
Child coloring in a classroom

Hospitalization during pregnancy boosts risk of difficulties in child

by  /  5 February 2018

Children of women who are hospitalized during pregnancy may develop poor physical, social, cognitive or emotional skills.

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January 2018
Male fetal mice that lack a microbiome have more microglia (green, right) in certain brain regions than controls do (left).

Early changes in brain immunity may underlie sex bias in autism

by  /  22 January 2018

How the brain’s immune cells develop in ‘germ-free’ mice might help explain why autism is more prevalent in boys than girls.

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pregnant mother sitting with a glass of water touching belly

Prenatal vitamins lower autism risk, Israeli study suggests

by  /  10 January 2018

Women who take folic acid or other vitamins before or during pregnancy may decrease their risk of having a child with autism.

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November 2017
Illustration: Parents looking over a railing into a river, while a child balances on the railing beside them.

Why autism seems to cluster in some immigrant groups

by  /  29 November 2017

Cultural barriers lead clinicians to misdiagnose or miss children with autism in immigrant communities.

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doctor touching male patient's knee

Study bolsters genetic link between arthritis, autism

by  /  16 November 2017

Men and women with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition, are at increased risk of having a child with autism.

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rat mother with rat pups

Researchers advance models of maternal antibody link to autism

by  /  15 November 2017

Sophisticated animal models — including a new rat model — are revealing how maternal antibodies contribute to autism risk.

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white lab rats piled together

Rodent ratings reveal periods of vulnerability to harmful exposures

by  /  13 November 2017

Nongenetic rodent models most relevant to autism tend to be those exposed to environmental agents in the womb or shortly after birth.

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October 2017
Pregnang woman sitting by window looking sad.

Studies send mixed messages on antidepressants’ link to autism

by  /  16 October 2017

Four large studies published since May arrive at various conclusions about whether exposure to antidepressants in the womb ups autism risk.

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September 2017
Portrait of Dan Kennedy

Webinar: Dan Kennedy discusses crafting social scenarios to study autism

 /  27 September 2017

Watch the complete replay of Dan Kennedy discussing crafting social scenarios to study autism.

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August 2017

Study offers toothy look at environmental risk for autism

by  /  2 August 2017

A small study suggests that baby teeth may afford a way to explore environmental risk factors for autism.

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