Cluster of traits tied to rare mutations in autism-linked gene
Developmental delay, intellectual disability and behavioral issues are common among people who have mutations in MYT1L, a gene with strong ties to autism.
Autism’s core symptoms accompany a constellation of subtle signs that scientists are just beginning to unmask.
Developmental delay, intellectual disability and behavioral issues are common among people who have mutations in MYT1L, a gene with strong ties to autism.
New software can automatically identify and quantify mouse social behavior from videos, saving researchers time.
Deleting a copy of the gene TBX1 depletes the fatty myelin insulation that surrounds neurons and reduces cognitive speed in mice.
Many autistic people have a little-known trait called alexithymia, defined as having difficulty identifying one’s own emotions. New research suggests that the overlap has been confounding studies of emotional issues in people with autism for decades.
Treating cognitive inflexibility — for example, by practicing problem-solving — might help ease anxiety and depression in autistic people.
Scientists should heed these differences when considering resting-state brain activity as a biomarker for autism, the researchers say.
On 28 October, Zachary J. Williams, a medical and doctoral student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, spoke about measuring alexithymia in autistic people and the importance of developing and validating measures for specific populations.
Autistic people have a higher-than-average chance of developing a neurodegenerative condition, according to a few studies. Some scientists are searching for proof — work that could also improve care for older autistic adults.
A short questionnaire created in consultation with autistic people is the first of its kind to accurately gauge suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adults on the spectrum.
Some types of restricted and repetitive behaviors become more prevalent among autistic children and teenagers over time, depending on their age and intellectual ability, whereas others decrease.