News / Spectrum

Gray-matter volume; 3q29 deletion syndrome; random eye movements

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 22 January.

By Jill Adams
23 January 2024 | 2 min read
comments
https://doi.org/10.53053/WEOH6369 https://doi.org/10.53053/WEOH6369 - opens a new tab Cite this article
  • People with 3q29 deletion syndrome have behavioral and developmental issues and a higher likelihood of psychiatric diagnoses than those without the syndrome. Spectrum has previously reported that 3q29 deletion is associated with autism, especially in girls. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
  • A replication study in an independent cohort has found much more variability in site-specific gray-matter volume differences between autistic and non-autistic people than did the initial study. Molecular Autism
A set of brain scans showing gray-matter volume.
Location, location: A replication study found differing patterns in gray-matter volume in two cohorts of autistic people: ENIGMA (top row) and LEAP (bottom row).
  • Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the FOX2 and OXTR genes, which are linked to autism, are associated with altered social behaviors in bonobos, according to a preprint. bioRxiv
  • Autistic children exhibit more random eye movements while watching movie clips than do non-autistic children. Autism Research
  • The Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program, which supports postdoctoral scientists, is accepting applications through 28 February. Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  • Of 64 children diagnosed with autism after screening, 76 percent demonstrated evidence of another neurodivergent condition, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or a movement condition, but only 26 percent of those were evaluated further, according to a U.K.-based study. PLOS ONE
  • A cohort of autistic people have variants of the X chromosome’s DDX53 gene, which has no functional ortholog in mice, according to a preprint. medRxiv
  • The development of spinal sensory circuits influences whether altered responses to touch in autistic people emerge during embryonic growth or later in life. Nature Neuroscience

Sign up for the weekly Spectrum newsletter.

Stay current with the latest advancements in autism research.

Recommended reading

Research image of neural pluripotent stem cells.
Spectrum

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

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

Genetic background steers PTEN syndrome traits

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

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

By Jill Adams
17 June 2025 | 2 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Astrocytes Microphone

Astrocytes sense neuromodulators to orchestrate neuronal activity and shape behavior

By Claudia López Lloreda
27 June 2025 | 9 min listen
Publishing

Authors correct image errors in Neuron paper that challenged microglia-to-neuron conversion

By Shaena Montanari
26 June 2025 | 3 min read
Community

Building a climate neuroscience subfield: Q&A with Angie Michaiel

By Calli McMurray
26 June 2025 | 5 min read