Signs & Symptoms

Children with autism tend to have low levels of the hormone vasopressin in their brain, according to the largest study yet to look at the levels.

Scientists used the gene-editing tool CRISPR to create two marmosets lacking MECP2, the gene mutated in Rett syndrome.

Rats exposed prenatally to a cocktail of ‘autoimmune’ molecules have altered levels of two types of compounds needed for brain development.

Siblings of children with autism have motor difficulties similar to those in autistic children, but milder.

Girls and boys with autism show different patterns of brain activity in response to sensory stimuli.

Rhesus macaques that are drawn to other monkeys’ faces in videos also tend to be highly social with their peers.

A specially made ‘decoy’ protein prevents an immune molecule from crossing the placenta; the strategy may prevent the brain changes that lead to autism.

A recalibrated version of a widely used test for autism may accurately reflect autistic children’s development as they grow and become verbal.

Women whose children are severely autistic have lower serotonin levels than do those whose children have mild or moderate autism traits.