- People with single-gene variants associated with autism display altered attentional skills compared with those with idiopathic autism. More specifically, those carrying DYRK1A variants show atypical responses in an auditory task, whereas those carrying SCN2A variants show atypical responses in a visual task. Spectrum has previously reported on researcher Caitlin Hudac’s mobile lab that enables her to test people in their homes. Autism Research
- Gene variants associated with congenital heart disease that affect neural progenitor cells appear also to be associated with autism and ciliary function, according to a preprint. Spectrum has reported on the links between congenital heart disease and autism, as well as links between ciliary biology and autism. bioRxiv
- Brain organoids may have limited utility in evaluating sex-based differences that could arise from chromosomal or hormonal differences and lead to altered development, according to a review of studies. Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science
- A survey of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, their caregivers and clinicians provides a first step in establishing community-driven policy goals for this population, which numbers 10 million in the United States. JAMA Health Forum
- In a multinational survey of autistic adult interactions with police, noncriminal encounters are most common, and reporting crimes against the autistic person are second most. Spectrum has previously reported on programs to train police in how to interact with autistic people. Autism Research
Making contact: Human neurons with only one copy of the autism-linked gene SYNGAP1 (middle panel) or with zero copies (right panel) grow more dendritic spines and more synapses than those with two copies (left panel).
- Human cortical neurons deficient in SYNGAP1 that are transplanted into mouse brains display accelerated synapse formation and disrupted synaptic plasticity, which may underlie neurodevelopmental conditions. Neuron
- Non-autistic and autistic people show similar empathy scores on the multidimensional Perth Empathy Scale, though there was more variability in the autistic group. Spectrum has previously covered the challenge of measuring this trait in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Neuronal circuitry in the medial prefrontal cortex is key to social behaviors and is altered in autism, according to a review of studies. Spectrum has previously covered neuronal circuits underlying social behaviors in animal models of autism. Neuropharmacology
- People with autism and those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder both tend to show greater cortical thickness than those without either condition, but autistic people have larger cortical volumes, whereas people with ADHD have smaller volumes. Biological Psychiatry
- Children diagnosed with autism early in life have different trajectories than those diagnosed later, according to a preprint. medRxiv
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
tags:
Recommended reading
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-toxoplasma-gondii-neuroscience-transmitter-1-1024x683.webp)
Parasite-based tool delivers MECP2 and other proteins to neurons
By
Giorgia Guglielmi
12 September 2024 | 4 min read
![World map displaying an analysis of years of life lost to suicide among autistic people in 2021.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/spectrum-map-autism-600.webp)
PPP2R5D gene; social-communication intervention in infants; autism and suicide
By
Jill Adams
10 September 2024 | 2 min read
![Photo of the U.S. Capitol Building.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
By
Rachel Zamzow
5 September 2024 | 5 min listen
Explore more from The Transmitter
Kim Stachenfeld on the dance between neuroscience and artificial intelligence
By
Paul Middlebrooks
11 September 2024 | 92 min listen
![Illustration with panels depicting two people working together at a computer and a high-five, and a lone researcher in the foreground, looking up.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Bender-neuroscience-collaboration-1200-1024x683.webp)
Should I work with these people? A guide to collaboration
By
Kevin Bender
10 September 2024 | 7 min read
![Illustration of three figures cleaning data with brooms and brushes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Data-cleaning-neuroscience-1200-1024x692.webp)
A README for open neuroscience
By
Samuel Gershman
9 September 2024 | 5 min read
Cite this article: