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Spectrum: Autism Research News

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Treatments

Efforts to ease the symptoms of autism are beginning to ramp up, with promising candidates in various stages of testing.

January 2023
Headshots of Melissa Licari, Somer Bishop, Jana Iverson, Anjana Bhat and Audrey Thurm.

Should motor impairment be added to the diagnostic criteria for autism?

by  /  11 January 2023

In light of growing evidence that motor challenges are common among people with autism, we asked five researchers how these problems fit into the definition of the condition.

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December 2022
Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.

Null and Noteworthy: Reinforcing rigor; medication medley

by  /  14 December 2022

This month’s newsletter highlights findings on the use of three medication types during pregnancy.

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lllustration of the junction between two nerve cells.

Multi-omics study captures CNTNAP2’s far-ranging effects

by  /  8 December 2022

The in-depth approach shows mutations in the autism-linked gene disrupt neuronal growth and communication, as well as mitochondrial gene expression.

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November 2022
A pattern in the style of genetic sequencing forms into the shape of the African continent.

Africa’s genomic role: Q&A with Conrad Iyegbe and Niran Okewole

by  /  28 November 2022

Psychiatric genomics promises to shed light on the genetic basis of autism, but it’s vital to include Africa in this research, Iyegbe and Okewole say.

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White laboratory mice isolated on orange luminous glass surface.

New evidence hints at mechanisms for ‘fever effect’ in autism

by  /  15 November 2022

The temporary easing of traits that a minority of autistic children are reported to show during or after a fever may stem from a rise in body temperature.

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October 2022

Beyond the bench: Mastering meaningful movement with Karen Chenausky

by  /  21 October 2022

The competitive rower-turned-researcher spoke to Spectrum about how trying out for the U.S. national rowing team and a subsequent coaching position shaped her study of speech development.

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Jeremy Levin, chief executive officer of Ovid Therapeutics, stands against a bench in a lab.

What next for Angelman?

by  /  20 October 2022

A meeting in Texas reckons with the future of treatment, following two setbacks in 2020.

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A composite of many scans of mice illustrating the effectiveness of an experimental drug.

Two-drug combo blunts autism-linked pathway in brain

by  /  14 October 2022

One drug blocks mTOR signaling, and the other stops the blocker from acting anywhere in the body but the brain, lowering the potential for side effects.

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Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.

Null and Noteworthy: Medication timing; oxytocin amounts; sensory sameness

by  /  13 October 2022

Parents’ health, treatment dosages and sensory perception feature in this month’s crop of null and replicated results.

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Laura Cancedda in Iama's lab.

Building a better drug

by  /  6 October 2022

Iama Therapeutics is hoping a new class of molecule will prove successful against an old target in autism.

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