Genes

Some mutations that contribute to autism and arise spontaneously may be mistaken for inherited mutations.

A new resource details the protein-coding portions of the genomes of 36 popular mouse strains.

The autism gene TBR1 controls the expression of several other candidate genes that govern the architecture of the brain’s outer section.

A software tool finds possible functions for long RNA molecules that aren’t transcribed into proteins.

A new technique transforms the previous broad-brush picture of a brain region into a pointillist masterpiece of neuronal subpopulations associated with specific activities.

A small number of autism genes are located in fragile regions of the genome — those prone to breaking when cells copy DNA.

A cellular pathway that helps neurons grow and move during fetal development may drive the changes in head size in some autistic people.

Experiences may shape the human brain by altering neurons that boost brain activity.

Triggering an immune defense in newborn male mice missing a copy of TSC2, a gene linked to autism, impairs the mice’s social memory.