Corpus callosum

Recent articles

brains of different sizes in colorful, radiant space with echoing shapes
Spectrum Microphone

Brain structures grow differently in boys, men with autism

Autistic boys and men show notable differences in brain development, according to magnetic resonance imaging scans taken over a 16-year period.

By Rebecca Sohn
19 May 2021 | 4 min read
Neurons show structural changes, seen in black and white.

Loss of a top autism gene may alter neuron structure

Mutations in the autism-linked gene ASH1L change how neurons grow and develop.

By Laura Dattaro
12 January 2021 | 3 min read
four brain areas marked with flags: Cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, cerebellum
Spectrum Microphone

Brain structure changes in autism, explained

Autistic people have distinct patterns of brain development, which sometimes result in differences in brain structure. Here's what we know about those differences.

By Angie Voyles Askham
15 October 2020 | 6 min read
Spectrum Microphone

Study links gene to inherited form of autism

Mutations in both copies of a gene called ACTL6B lead to autism, epilepsy and intellectual disability.

By Peter Hess
25 June 2020 | 6 min read
group of six brain images from children show white matter, anomalies shown in red areas

Structure of brain matter in young autistic children may show distinct patterns

The long fibers of neurons in the brains of young children with autism are structured differently from those of their neurotypical peers — and from those of older children with the condition.

By Alla Katsnelson
30 January 2020 | 5 min read
Two organoids connected by nerve fibers

In new device, brain organoids ‘talk’ to each other

A novel cell culture device enables researchers to grow bundles of nerve fibers from stem cells, mimicking the tissue that connects distant parts of the brain.

By Chloe Williams
14 June 2019 | 2 min read
illustration of mouse on sale in a city

‘Outmoded’ mouse models of autism may still yield new advances

Many researchers question the value of three early mouse models of autism, but the models have their staunch supporters.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
21 March 2018 | 6 min read

Decoding the overlap between autism and ADHD

Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder often coincide, but the search for common biological roots has turned up conflicting evidence.

By Ricki Rusting
7 February 2018 | 13 min read
mouse with a sensor connected to brain

Three autism mouse models marked by defects in same circuit

Problems with social interactions stem from faulty wiring of a single circuit spanning distant brain regions, results from three mouse models of autism suggest.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
8 November 2017 | 4 min read

Off-key outcomes; visualizing variants; urine indifference and more

Music therapy proves ineffective for autism, brain structures differ with 16p11.2 duplications and deletions, and mice missing NLGN3 may influence the sociability of their littermates.

By Emily Willingham
11 August 2017 | 5 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Illustration of children looking at a gigantic set of building blocks, some of which display genetic sequences on their surfaces.

Autism is more heritable in boys than in girls

If boys have greater inherited liability for autism, the female protective effect may not fully explain the sex difference in prevalence.

Illustration of a brain.

This paper changed my life – ‘Response of hippocampal synapses to natural stimulation patterns,’ by Dobrunz and Stevens

The work demonstrated how to effectively combine controlled in-vitro experiments and the messiness of natural brain patterns.

By Robert Froemke
17 September 2024 | 4 min read
Research image of microglia.

CDKL5 gene; cerebrospinal fluid; drug combo for fragile X syndrome

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 16 September.

By Jill Adams
17 September 2024 | 2 min read