Adults with autism
Recent articles
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis
Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.
![Research image of excitatory synapses in the prefrontal cortex.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fig2BD3BD-1200-1024x692.webp)
Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis
Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.
Some minimally verbal autistic people show signs of written-language familiarity, study suggests
But researchers not involved in the work worry the findings could be used to support discredited facilitated-communication techniques.
![Conceptual image of colorful falling letters, casting shadows on a white wall.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Non-speaking-autism-1200-1024x692.webp)
Some minimally verbal autistic people show signs of written-language familiarity, study suggests
But researchers not involved in the work worry the findings could be used to support discredited facilitated-communication techniques.
Spectrum 10K consultation report delayed
The U.K.-based genetics study launched the consultation more than a year ago in response to fierce criticism from autistic self-advocates.
![two people sit on opposite edges of a cliff](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Spectrum10Kautism-1200-1024x692.webp)
Spectrum 10K consultation report delayed
The U.K.-based genetics study launched the consultation more than a year ago in response to fierce criticism from autistic self-advocates.
Life expectancy lags for autistic people in United Kingdom
The finding confirms past research that links autism to early death, but it also suggests that the life expectancy gap may be smaller than previously thought.
![A woman sits on the edge of her bed in a darkened room](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-spectrum-autism-life-expectancy-united-kingdom-1024x683.webp)
Life expectancy lags for autistic people in United Kingdom
The finding confirms past research that links autism to early death, but it also suggests that the life expectancy gap may be smaller than previously thought.
Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023
Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.
![Three groups of people meet and mix at a crossroads.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1200-transmitter-best-of-news-1024x683.webp)
Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023
Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
Building bridges: Collaboration across the autism community
An autistic person and the mother of an autistic child explore partnership in the autism community.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1200-lutz-1024x683.webp)
Building bridges: Collaboration across the autism community
An autistic person and the mother of an autistic child explore partnership in the autism community.
Journal club: Why do some children lose their autism diagnosis?
More than one-third of a cohort of autistic toddlers no longer meet criteria for the condition at school age, according to a new study, but the findings may not generalize because the cohort is predominantly white and affluent.
![A group of elementary school children run toward the entrance of a school, their backs turned to the camera.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-journal-club-autism-1024x692.webp)
Journal club: Why do some children lose their autism diagnosis?
More than one-third of a cohort of autistic toddlers no longer meet criteria for the condition at school age, according to a new study, but the findings may not generalize because the cohort is predominantly white and affluent.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
X-chromosome genes; neurobiology of infant crying; MCHAT in preemies
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 2 September.
![Research image of astrocytes and microglia in mouse brains.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1200-spotted-20240903-1024x683.webp)
X-chromosome genes; neurobiology of infant crying; MCHAT in preemies
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 2 September.