Autism

Recent articles

Illustration of overlapping, multi-colored human head silhouettes.

Perspectives from the field: Opinions in autism research

This collection of Spectrum articles from the past 12 months highlights expert perspectives on autism’s heritability and its link to biological sex, the value of transdiagnostic frameworks, and the field’s future, among other topics.

By Daisy Yuhas
10 July 2025 | 3 min read
Research image of neural activity in mouse auditory cortices.

Rise in autism prevalence but not traits; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 7 July.

By Jill Adams
8 July 2025 | 2 min read
Research image of mouse brain slices.

Genetic testing; LSD1 inhibitors; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 30 June.

By Daisy Yuhas
1 July 2025 | 2 min read
Group of researchers in a room looking at computer screens.

INSAR takes ‘intentional break’ from annual summer webinar series

The International Society for Autism Research cited a need to “thoughtfully reimagine” its popular online program before resuming it in 2026.

By Lauren Schenkman
30 June 2025 | 4 min read
Research image of neural pluripotent stem cells.

Dosage of X or Y chromosome relates to distinct outcomes; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 23 June.

By Daisy Yuhas
24 June 2025 | 2 min read
Two paper arrows intersect to form a double helix.

Genetic background steers PTEN syndrome traits

People with the syndrome, caused by variants in the gene PTEN, often have autism or cancer, or both, but it depends on the genetic diversity encoded in the components of distinct cell signaling pathways, according to a new study.

By Holly Barker
19 June 2025 | 5 min listen
Research image of organoids from autistic people.

Altered visual processing in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 16 June.

By Jill Adams
17 June 2025 | 2 min read
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.

Convergent effects of autism-linked genes in zebrafish; and more

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

By Jill Adams
10 June 2025 | 2 min read
Image of alpha-synuclein filaments in the brain.

Large study links autism to Parkinson’s disease

Autistic adults appear to be prone to an early-onset form of Parkinson’s, according to a long-term study that tracked 2.2 million people in Sweden.

By Charles Q. Choi
5 June 2025 | 4 min read
Research image of brain volume in mice.

Improving longitudinal research; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 2 June.

By Jill Adams
3 June 2025 | 2 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

ABCD Study omits gender-identity data from latest release

The removal counteracts the goals of the longitudinal study by “pretending that some aspects of adolescent brain development don’t exist,” says sex differences researcher Nicola Grissom.

By Calli McMurray
11 July 2025 | 4 min read
Leafcutter ants carrying leaves.

Neuropeptides reprogram social roles in leafcutter ants

The mechanisms that control the labor roles of ants may also be conserved in naked mole rats, a new study shows.

By Shaena Montanari
11 July 2025 | 7 min listen
Research image from a retracted paper.

Nature retracts paper on novel brain cell type against authors’ wishes

A 2022 paper was retracted after an independent team of researchers reanalyzed the data and questioned its validity.

By Shaena Montanari
9 July 2025 | 4 min listen