INSAR 2021
Brain’s response to faces foretells social development in autistic people
A delayed brain response to viewing faces may predict lags in social-skill development in autistic people.
![Woman talks to child in EEG cap](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/N170FaceSensitive-844.jpg)
Brain’s response to faces foretells social development in autistic people
A delayed brain response to viewing faces may predict lags in social-skill development in autistic people.
Visual task flags autistic people who respond to GABA agonists
The investigational drug arbaclofen makes autistic people's brains respond to a visual task more like non-autistic people's brains do.
![Visual stimulus of 4 circles with black and white stripes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GabaBStripe844.jpg)
Visual task flags autistic people who respond to GABA agonists
The investigational drug arbaclofen makes autistic people's brains respond to a visual task more like non-autistic people's brains do.
Autism-linked protein screen reveals hundreds of new interactions
Researchers have uncovered more than 1,200 new protein-protein interactions involving proteins coded for by autism-linked genes.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Protein-Protein-844-1.jpg)
Autism-linked protein screen reveals hundreds of new interactions
Researchers have uncovered more than 1,200 new protein-protein interactions involving proteins coded for by autism-linked genes.
Social attention shows sex difference in autism
Autistic boys and men are less attuned to social stimuli than autistic girls and women are, according to new unpublished work.
![Two women making eye contact while talking with each other.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AIMS-LEAP-844.jpg)
Social attention shows sex difference in autism
Autistic boys and men are less attuned to social stimuli than autistic girls and women are, according to new unpublished work.
‘Neurons on a chip’ reveal patterns across autism-linked conditions
Activity patterns of neuronal networks link different genetic subtypes of autism that have similar traits, according to new unpublished research.
![Neurons in red and green](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ChipNeurons-844.jpg)
‘Neurons on a chip’ reveal patterns across autism-linked conditions
Activity patterns of neuronal networks link different genetic subtypes of autism that have similar traits, according to new unpublished research.
Genes tied to autism, developmental delay, schizophrenia share functions
Many genes linked to autism, schizophrenia and neurodevelopmental delay regulate gene expression and support communication between neurons.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Convergence-844.jpg)
Genes tied to autism, developmental delay, schizophrenia share functions
Many genes linked to autism, schizophrenia and neurodevelopmental delay regulate gene expression and support communication between neurons.
Fetal brain scans may forecast autism traits in toddlers
Children with highly folded and curved brains in utero tend to show autism-linked behaviors at 18 months of age, according to a longitudinal brain-imaging study.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/FetalMRI-844.jpg)
Fetal brain scans may forecast autism traits in toddlers
Children with highly folded and curved brains in utero tend to show autism-linked behaviors at 18 months of age, according to a longitudinal brain-imaging study.
Methodological issues plague studies of early autism interventions
Multiple types of bias and an overreliance on caregiver reports have clouded research on the effectiveness of early interventions for autism for nearly three decades.
![Child's hands playing on a white table with blue sand.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/EarlyIntervention-844.jpg)
Methodological issues plague studies of early autism interventions
Multiple types of bias and an overreliance on caregiver reports have clouded research on the effectiveness of early interventions for autism for nearly three decades.
Infant siblings of autistic children miss language-learning clues
So-called ‘baby sibs’ watch adults’ faces just as much as children without autistic siblings do, but they don’t understand spoken language as well.
![Baby in mother's lap watching her mouth move as she talks.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/MouthAttention-844.jpg)
Infant siblings of autistic children miss language-learning clues
So-called ‘baby sibs’ watch adults’ faces just as much as children without autistic siblings do, but they don’t understand spoken language as well.
Largest autism genetics analysis to date uncovers more high-confidence candidates
The largest-yet study of genetic data from autistic people has identified 255 genes associated with the condition.
![Computer screenshot showing bands of colour resulting from sequenced DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GeneDiscover-844-crop.jpg)
Largest autism genetics analysis to date uncovers more high-confidence candidates
The largest-yet study of genetic data from autistic people has identified 255 genes associated with the condition.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.
![A research image of X chromosomes with Fragile X syndrome](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_FragileX-1024x683.webp)
Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.
Future of BRAIN Initiative funding remains unclear
As the U.S. Congress begins to discuss federal science funding for 2025, any plans to compensate for this year’s cuts to the neuroscience program face an uphill battle.
![Image of a crumpled dollar bill whose edges suggest a line graph trending downward.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Funding-1200-1024x692.webp)
Future of BRAIN Initiative funding remains unclear
As the U.S. Congress begins to discuss federal science funding for 2025, any plans to compensate for this year’s cuts to the neuroscience program face an uphill battle.
Computational and systems neuroscience needs development
Embracing recent advances in developmental biology can drive a new wave of innovation.
![Illustration of a fly with its life cycle represented on its left and a technological background on its right.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lede-Scott-1200-1024x692.webp)
Computational and systems neuroscience needs development
Embracing recent advances in developmental biology can drive a new wave of innovation.