Autism

Recent articles

Research image of toxoplasma gondii showing cysts it creates as well as the MECP2 protein that it can deliver to neurons.

Parasite-based tool delivers MECP2 and other proteins to neurons

A method that uses a common brain parasite could help replenish the proteins deficient in Rett syndrome and other conditions.

By Giorgia Guglielmi
12 September 2024 | 4 min read
Photo of the U.S. Capitol Building.
Spectrum Microphone

In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope

The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.

By Rachel Zamzow
5 September 2024 | 5 min listen
Research image of astrocytes and microglia in mouse brains.

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.

By Jill Adams
3 September 2024 | 2 min read
Research image visualizing cell-to-cell communications in cerebral organoids.

CHD8 gene; minority participation in research; machine-learning autism screen

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 26 August.

By Jill Adams
27 August 2024 | 2 min read
Illustration of a red pencil with a white eraser that is being used against a white sheet of paper.

Task swap prompts data do-over for autism auditory perception study

The investigators retracted their paper after other researchers pointed out the error; the original team plans to redo the experiment, according to one author.

By Shaena Montanari
22 August 2024 | 2 min read
Illustration of two hands of different colors holding up a piece of paper together.

Creating a more inclusive autism research community

The Transmitter rounds up efforts to improve equity and diversity both within the field and in research projects.

By Daisy Yuhas
22 August 2024 | 2 min read
Research image of human neurons.

Congenital heart disease; community-driven policymaking; empathy in autism

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 19 August.

By Jill Adams
20 August 2024 | 3 min read
Stock photograph of a women and her young child at a clinician’s office.

A genetics-first clinic for catching developmental conditions early: Q&A with Jacob Vorstman

A new clinic is assessing children who have a genetic predisposition for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions—sometimes before traits appear.

By Lauren Schenkman
15 August 2024 | 7 min read
Research image of cell-type representation in the frontal cortex.

Ketamine for ADNP syndrome; electrical gap junctions; echolalia

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 12 August.

By Jill Adams
13 August 2024 | 2 min read
Photograph of a child sitting on the floor playing with blocks while an adult watches.

Sensitive test of autism treatment effects could enable comparison of different interventions

In a first, researchers used the BOSCC measure to analyze data from multiple previous studies.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
8 August 2024 | 5 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Research image of brain scans showing the structural integrity of white-matter tracts.

Repeat scans reveal brain changes that precede childbirth

A detailed look at a “pregnant brain” highlights a need to investigate the neural alterations that occur during a transition experienced by nearly 140 million people worldwide each year.

By Shaena Montanari
16 September 2024 | 8 min read
Illustration of cranes attempting to assemble a structure out of very small black squares.

Reconstructing dopamine’s link to reward

The field is grappling with whether to modify the long-standing theory of reward prediction error—or abandon it entirely.

By Angie Voyles Askham
13 September 2024 | 18 min read
Illustration of cranes attempting to assemble a structure out of very small black squares.

Dopamine and the need for alternative theories

Some experimental findings are inconsistent with the dominant model of reward prediction error, highlighting the need for alternative testable and falsifiable models for dopamine function.

By Vijay Mohan K. Namboodiri
13 September 2024 | 7 min read