Epidemiology
Recent articles
Acetaminophen use during pregnancy does not increase child’s chance of having autism, study finds
The link reported in prior studies likely reflects confounding factors, which sibling-matched controls in the new work address.
![Illustration of a conveyor belt spilling pills over a green cliff face.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Acetaminophen-news-1200-1024x692.webp)
Acetaminophen use during pregnancy does not increase child’s chance of having autism, study finds
The link reported in prior studies likely reflects confounding factors, which sibling-matched controls in the new work address.
The true meaning of a null result
This edition of Null and Noteworthy highlights results that reveal the difficulty in drawing definitive conclusions from data, including new findings about epidurals that contradict several others and an apparent null result on sex differences that may derive from “circular logic.”
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/844_Null2_01.jpg)
The true meaning of a null result
This edition of Null and Noteworthy highlights results that reveal the difficulty in drawing definitive conclusions from data, including new findings about epidurals that contradict several others and an apparent null result on sex differences that may derive from “circular logic.”
Prenatal exposures; Angelman trial suspension; autistic adult well-being
This month’s issue of the Null and Noteworthy newsletter breaks down some negative results involving prenatal exposures, an experimental treatment for Angelman syndrome, and the role that age at autism diagnosis plays in subsequent outcomes, and more.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/lights_03-scaled.jpg)
Prenatal exposures; Angelman trial suspension; autistic adult well-being
This month’s issue of the Null and Noteworthy newsletter breaks down some negative results involving prenatal exposures, an experimental treatment for Angelman syndrome, and the role that age at autism diagnosis plays in subsequent outcomes, and more.
Evidence linking acetaminophen to autism, ADHD under debate again
As acetaminophen lawsuits make their way through the U.S. court system, researchers reevaluate the quality of the evidence linking in-utero exposure to the painkiller to neurodevelopmental issues in children.
![A woman stands by a window while talking on the phone and holding a pill bottle.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1200-acetaminophen-in-utero-exposure-autism.png)
Evidence linking acetaminophen to autism, ADHD under debate again
As acetaminophen lawsuits make their way through the U.S. court system, researchers reevaluate the quality of the evidence linking in-utero exposure to the painkiller to neurodevelopmental issues in children.
Journal club: Does lithium in drinking water contribute to autism?
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that autism is more common among people born in areas with high levels of lithium in drinking water, but it is too soon to say whether prenatal lithium exposure is truly a concern.
![A row of magazines against the wall with many adhesive notes stuck between their pages.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/844-journal-club-lithium-groundwater-autism-cc.jpg)
Journal club: Does lithium in drinking water contribute to autism?
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that autism is more common among people born in areas with high levels of lithium in drinking water, but it is too soon to say whether prenatal lithium exposure is truly a concern.
Filling autism knowledge gaps in Latin America: Q&A with Cecilia Montiel-Nava
Countries across Latin America and the Caribbean struggle to collect data on autism, but Cecilia Montiel-Nava and the Latin American Autism Spectrum Network are beginning to change that.
![A group of children walk up stairs](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/844-latin-america-caribbean-autism-age-of-diagnosis.jpg)
Filling autism knowledge gaps in Latin America: Q&A with Cecilia Montiel-Nava
Countries across Latin America and the Caribbean struggle to collect data on autism, but Cecilia Montiel-Nava and the Latin American Autism Spectrum Network are beginning to change that.
Children with autism and ADHD often have additional mental health conditions
The dual diagnosis frequently co-occurs with anxiety, depression and developmental and language delays.
![A young girl sits on the couch biting her thumb.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/844-autism-adhd-prevalence-mental-health-conditions.jpg)
Children with autism and ADHD often have additional mental health conditions
The dual diagnosis frequently co-occurs with anxiety, depression and developmental and language delays.
The link between maternal infection and autism, explained
Having an infection during pregnancy is tied to a small increase in the chances of having an autistic child, but the connection may not be causal.
![Illustration of a pregnant woman seated next to a large diagram of the brain featuring chromosomes, bacteria and other microbes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1200-maternal-inflamation-1024x683.webp)
The link between maternal infection and autism, explained
Having an infection during pregnancy is tied to a small increase in the chances of having an autistic child, but the connection may not be causal.
Autism incidence in England varies by ethnicity, class, location
High rates of autism are linked to lower socioeconomic status and minority ethnic groups, according to the largest-ever autism incidence study.
![A map of England displaying autism incidence.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/844-lede-autism-incidence.png)
Autism incidence in England varies by ethnicity, class, location
High rates of autism are linked to lower socioeconomic status and minority ethnic groups, according to the largest-ever autism incidence study.
Psychiatric conditions hospitalize almost one in three autistic women by age 25
The findings, based on Swedish national registry data, suggest a critical need to expand mental health services for autistic people.
![Woman sits on a hospital bed and looks out of a window.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/844_Depression-Gender-Autism.jpeg)
Psychiatric conditions hospitalize almost one in three autistic women by age 25
The findings, based on Swedish national registry data, suggest a critical need to expand mental health services for autistic people.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Rajesh Rao reflects on predictive brains, neural interfaces and the future of human intelligence
Twenty-five years ago, Rajesh Rao proposed a seminal theory of how brains could implement predictive coding for perception. His modern version zeroes in on actions.
Rajesh Rao reflects on predictive brains, neural interfaces and the future of human intelligence
Twenty-five years ago, Rajesh Rao proposed a seminal theory of how brains could implement predictive coding for perception. His modern version zeroes in on actions.
In memoriam: Yves Frégnac, influential and visionary French neuroscientist
Frégnac, who died on 18 October at the age of 73, built his career by meeting neuroscience’s complexity straight on.
![Portrait of Yves Fregnac](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Fregnac-obit-1200-featured-1024x692.png)
In memoriam: Yves Frégnac, influential and visionary French neuroscientist
Frégnac, who died on 18 October at the age of 73, built his career by meeting neuroscience’s complexity straight on.
Explaining ‘the largest unexplained number in brain science’: Q&A with Markus Meister and Jieyu Zheng
The human brain takes in sensory information roughly 100 million times faster than it can respond. Neuroscientists need to explore this perceptual paradox to better understand the limits of the brain, Meister and Zheng say.
![Illustration shows a solitary figure moving through a green and blue field of dots moving at different rates.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Unbearble-slowness-1200-1024x692.png)
Explaining ‘the largest unexplained number in brain science’: Q&A with Markus Meister and Jieyu Zheng
The human brain takes in sensory information roughly 100 million times faster than it can respond. Neuroscientists need to explore this perceptual paradox to better understand the limits of the brain, Meister and Zheng say.