The Brain

Looking at eyes, noses and mouths may prompt slower recognition in the brains of autistic people than in those of non-autistic people.

Connections between the cerebellum and brain networks do not seem to contribute substantially to the emergence of autism traits.

Deleting the autism-linked gene CNTNAP2 from mice leads to distinct cellular and electrical changes in the cerebellum, according to two unpublished studies presented virtually today at the 2021 Society for Neuroscience Global Connectome.

People with autism or autism traits may be especially vulnerable to brain aging and cognitive decline, two studies suggest.

Mice missing a copy of the autism-linked gene PTEN show a reduced preference for social interaction, possibly due to atypically large, overconnected dopamine neurons. Easing the overconnection may alleviate this trait.

Young male rats can recognize rats they’ve recently met, whereas young females treat new acquaintances like strangers, research shows.

A novel microscopy technique offers the most detailed look to date at the proteins present at neuronal junctions.

Environmental factors influence brain structure in autistic children more than in non-autistic children, according to an analysis of imaging data from twins.

Mutations seen in only some of the body’s cells often affect gene activity in the brains of people with autism, and can involve large segments of DNA, according to two new studies.

Mice missing a copy of the autism-linked gene NRXN1 appear to perceive some time intervals as shorter than control mice do, according to a new study.