Hundreds of genes are linked to autism, but most have not been clearly characterized. ADNP is one of a small group of genes that, when mutated, seem to lead to autism in a substantial proportion of cases.
 

CRISPR, the genetic tool that cuts and pastes DNA, can eliminate specific proteins at the points of connection between neurons. The method, described 3 September in Neuron, could help researchers determine the role of those proteins in brain signaling.

On 1 October, Mark Daly discussed new insights into autism from common and rare genetic variants. (Due to technical issues, the video replay for this webinar is unavailable.)

The University of California has launched an ambitious 18-month project to connect autism researchers across its ten campuses.

Methyl tags on DNA are distributed differently in postmortem brains from people with autism than in control brains, and mouse pups can inherit altered methylation from their older fathers, report two new studies.

A new algorithm accurately detects large DNA insertions and deletions in the protein-coding regions of the genome.

A brain hub responsible for higher-order tasks may be overly connected in autism and thinly connected in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The presenters for this year’s Autism Research Social at SfN have been selected. If you’ll be at conference, please join us 17 November for an evening of food, conversation and new data.

News stories about autism in China are becoming more common, but tend to skimp on scientific facts, reports a study of five leading daily newspapers.

A new technique helps researchers trace the nerve fibers that connect brain regions by revealing how the fibers physically relate to curves and folds on the brain’s surface. The method was described 8 July in Medical Image Analysis.