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Spectrum is the go-to destination for the latest news and analysis about autism research and a springboard for scientists and clinicians to forge collaborations that deepen our understanding of autism.

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2025
TROINA, ITALY
19th Troina Meeting on Genetics of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
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It’s just a loss to science, and it’s happening to so many terrific people. — LAURA ANTHONY, PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO ANSCHUTZ MEDICAL CAMPUS

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WHAT WE ARE READING
“Untangling the molecular mechanisms contributing to autism spectrum disorder using stem cells”
By ZOE MATTINGLY et al. IN AUTISM RESEARCH
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Spectrum

The perils of parachute research

Scientists who study autism in lower-income countries are working to end practices that exploit or ignore collaborators and communities on the ground.

By Linda Nordling
6 June 2024 | 11 min read
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Spectrum

On the periphery: Thinking ‘outside the brain’ offers new ideas about autism

Neuronal alterations outside the brain may help to explain a host of the condition’s characteristic traits, including sensory changes, gut problems and motor differences.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
13 April 2023 | 20 min read
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Structure of striatum varies by sex in autistic children

The changes could reflect different developmental trajectories between boys and girls with autism, a new study suggests.

By Holly Barker
27 February 2025 | 4 min read
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Attention and IQ link; AUTS2-related syndrome; Glyx-13 for fragile X

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 24 February.

By Jill Adams
25 February 2025 | 1 min read
Cara Pugliese.

Autism program chief among National Institutes of Health layoffs

The termination is one of more than 1,000 employee cuts at the U.S. agency this week.

By Rachel Zamzow
21 February 2025 | 3 min read
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Familiar autism-linked genes emerge from first analysis of Latin American cohort

The findings, detailed in a January preprint, suggest autism’s fundamental biology is the same regardless of ancestry. But questions remain.

By Laura Dattaro
20 February 2025 | 5 min read
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Depression perception; MYT1L mice; brain signal variability

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 17 February.

By Jill Adams
18 February 2025 | 1 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Headshots of Michelle Monje and Frank Winkler.

2025 Brain Prize honors pair of cancer neuroscientists

Michelle Monje and Frank Winkler share the $1.4 million award for their discovery of synapses between brain cancer cells and neurons.

By Sydney Wyatt
5 March 2025 | 3 min read
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New tools help make neuroimaging accessible to more researchers

A lack of programming experience can derail experimental aspirations. But custom software packages, web-based applications and video tutorials make functional MRI concepts easier to grasp.

By Andrew Jahn
5 March 2025 | 5 min read
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Amid confusion around U.S. science, some neuroscientists prepare to rally

Eight neuroscientists at different career stages spoke with The Transmitter about whether they plan to participate in the upcoming “Stand Up for Science” demonstrations across the United States on 7 March.

By Sydney Wyatt
4 March 2025 | 2 min read