News / Spectrum

Double-empathy problem; dup15q syndrome; myelin loss in aging autistic adults

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 17 June.

By Jill Adams
18 June 2024 | 2 min read
comments
https://doi.org/10.53053/IGRY7650 https://doi.org/10.53053/IGRY7650 - opens a new tab Cite this article
  • The double-empathy problem—used to explain communication difficulties between autistic and non-autistic people—is not evidence-based, due to flaws in research design and interpretation, three psychologists argue. The Conversation
  • Gene expression and chromatin accessibility are altered in a cell-type-specific way in people with the autism-linked condition dup15q syndrome, according to a preprint. bioRxiv
  • Sex-based differences in gene transcription may explain sex biases in the prevalence of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions. Biology of Sex Differences
  • Mice with functional loss of the autism-linked gene MEF2C, which plays a key role in the development of GABA-containing interneurons, show altered cortical activity and autism-like behaviors. Biological Psychiatry
  • A machine-learning approach to assess brain structural patterns associated with copy number variants of the 16p11.2 chromosomal region may aid characterization of gene-behavior relationships. Science Advances
Research image of white-matter density in brains of people with deletions or duplications in the 16p11.2 chromosomal region.
Structural changes: People with deletions (left) or duplications (right) in the 16p11.2 chromosomal region show increased or decreased white-matter density, respectively, compared with controls (center). Red indicates a relative increase in density; blue indicates a decrease.
  • Transcription regulators encoded by five autism-linked genes often target the same or overlapping binding sites on chromatin. Cell Reports
  • Loss of myelination in older adults with autism shows a lot of variability, likely reflecting diverse life histories. Brain and Behavior

Sign up for the weekly Spectrum newsletter.

Stay current with the latest advancements in autism research.

Recommended reading

Seattle skyline.
Spectrum

Reporter’s notebook: Highlights from INSAR 2025

By Daisy Yuhas
15 May 2025 | 5 min read
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.
Spectrum

SHANK2 variants in people; and more

By Jill Adams
13 May 2025 | 1 min read
Fred Volkmar, in a blue shirt, in front of wall of framed certificates in his office, wearing a blue shirt.
Spectrum

How pragmatism and passion drive Fred Volkmar—even after retirement

By Claudia Wallis
8 May 2025 | 9 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

A researcher stands at the top of a staircase that leads to nowhere.
Funding

NIDA shutters diversity fellowship program, axes active awards

By Calli McMurray
14 May 2025 | 4 min read
Composite illustration of Ashley Bourke, Christian Cazares, Minerva Contreras, De-Shaine Murray, Fernanda Juarez Anaya, Maeghan Murie-Mazariegos and Maribel Patiño.
Q&A

‘We still exist’: How four neuroscience advocacy groups are navigating federal DEI funding cuts

By Paige Miranda
14 May 2025 | 2 min read
Conceptual illustration of four heads studying representations of neural mechanisms.
This paper changed my life

This paper changed my life: Marino Pagan recalls a decision-making study from four titans in the field

By Marino Pagan
13 May 2025 | 6 min read