David Amaral

Director
Autism BrainNet

David Amaral is distinguished professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of California, Davis MIND Institute.

From this contributor

Spectrum

By Deborah Fein, David Amaral, Einat Waizbard-Bartov

25 January 2024

8 min read

An illustration of a magnifying glass, checklists, and anonymous figures.

‘Prototypical autism’ research is likely a dead end

Efforts to define “frank” or “classic” forms of the condition build on several assumptions that the science has not yet borne out.

An illustration of a magnifying glass, checklists, and anonymous figures.

Spectrum

‘Prototypical autism’ research is likely a dead end

By Deborah Fein, David Amaral, Einat Waizbard-Bartov

25 January 2024 | 8 min read

Spectrum

By Katie Moisse

15 December 2015

6 min read

Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Questions for Amaral, Halladay: Boosting brainpower

A new network of brain banks aims to collect and disburse tissue donations to U.S. autism researchers.

Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Spectrum

Questions for Amaral, Halladay: Boosting brainpower

By Katie Moisse

15 December 2015 | 6 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Systems neuroscience

By Natalia Mesa

11 November 2026

10 min read

Illustration of two overlapping speech bubbles patterned with blue and pink horizontal lines on a background of pink and brown horizontal lines.

Future of AI brain models sparks debate

Neuroscientists are divided about whether foundation models that predict brain responses will help the field understand how brains work.

Illustration of two overlapping speech bubbles patterned with blue and pink horizontal lines on a background of pink and brown horizontal lines.

Systems neuroscience

Future of AI brain models sparks debate

Neuroscientists are divided about whether foundation models that predict brain responses will help the field understand how brains work.

By Natalia Mesa

11 November 2026 | 10 min read

Spectrum

By Jill Adams

10 November 2026

2 min read

Scans of brains using the OPM-MEG method.

Language development during the first 1,000 days; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 9 November.

Scans of brains using the OPM-MEG method.

Spectrum

Language development during the first 1,000 days; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 9 November.

By Jill Adams

10 November 2026 | 2 min read

Reviews

By Daniel Graham

10 November 2026

6 min read

Illustration of brain with many connecting lines.

What ‘Brain Flows’ gets right

Michael W. Cole’s new book makes a convincing case that the dynamic movement of signals underpins just about everything the brain does, though it misses mention of relevant theoretical and single-cell work.

Illustration of brain with many connecting lines.

Reviews

What ‘Brain Flows’ gets right

Michael W. Cole’s new book makes a convincing case that the dynamic movement of signals underpins just about everything the brain does, though it misses mention of relevant theoretical and single-cell work.

By Daniel Graham

10 November 2026 | 6 min read