Dozens of rare mutations of unknown effects seen in autistic people cause significant changes to fruit flies, suggesting they are linked to the condition.

The animals recall fear more readily if a set of inhibitory neurons in the hippocampus is switched on.

Overexpressing genes involved in the pathway, which regulates protein quality, changes repetitive behaviors in the animals.

The gene, dubbed NHIP, is in a chromosomal region that shows unusually low levels of DNA methylation in placentas from women who gave birth to autistic children.

Inspired by watching her autistic nephew grow up, Croen has also been an advocate for bolstering research and services for autistic adults.

The neurons, which have low levels of the gene ASH1L, sprout more branches after the treatment.

Neurona Health, a company in San Francisco, California, backed away from part of its newly launched services after Spectrum started reporting about them.

The drug suppresses an overactive signaling pathway implicated in tuberous sclerosis complex.

Genetics strongly influences some aspects of the monkey’s social behavior, including tendencies to solicit grooming and sit or play alone.

Mutations in a newly identified protein complex that interacts with the Rett protein also lead to a Rett-like condition in mice, researchers say.