Treatments

Special diets that eliminate certain foods or contain added supplements have minimal impact on autism traits, according to a review of 27 clinical trials.

An experimental drug tamps down the expression of a gene duplicated in an autism-related condition and restores typical behavior in mice.

A single dose of cannabidiol, a component of marijuana, eases seizures and improves learning and sociability in mice with mutations in an autism gene called CDKL5.

Drug after drug has failed in clinical trials for fragile X syndrome. A new study provides an explanation — a decrease in the drugs’ effectiveness over time — and points to a new strategy that could circumvent this problem.

Studies of Rett syndrome hint at genes, cells and brain circuits that may be involved in autism — and may pave the way to treatments for both conditions.

Playing games designed to hone the ability to intuit others’ thoughts and feelings increases activity in regions of the social brain.

Injecting the gene-editing tool CRISPR into the brains of mice may reverse the effects of an autism mutation at any age.