Theories of autism
Recent articles
The signaling imbalance theory of autism, explained
The signaling imbalance theory holds that the brains of autistic people are hyper-excitable because of either excess neuronal activity or weak brakes on that activity.
The signaling imbalance theory of autism, explained
The signaling imbalance theory holds that the brains of autistic people are hyper-excitable because of either excess neuronal activity or weak brakes on that activity.
The female protective effect, explained
One of the leading theories of autism posits that girls and women are biologically protected from the condition.
The female protective effect, explained
One of the leading theories of autism posits that girls and women are biologically protected from the condition.
The extreme male brain, explained
The ‘extreme male brain’ theory suggests that autism is an exaggeration of systematic sex differences in ways of thinking.
The extreme male brain, explained
The ‘extreme male brain’ theory suggests that autism is an exaggeration of systematic sex differences in ways of thinking.
Serotonin’s link to autism, explained
Serotonin, the brain chemical best known for its link to depression, may also be involved in autism.
Serotonin’s link to autism, explained
Serotonin, the brain chemical best known for its link to depression, may also be involved in autism.
The multiple hits theory of autism, explained
Researchers are studying how a combination of genetic ‘hits’ may contribute to autism’s diversity.
The multiple hits theory of autism, explained
Researchers are studying how a combination of genetic ‘hits’ may contribute to autism’s diversity.
The predictive coding theory of autism, explained
In autism, a person's brain may not form accurate predictions of imminent experiences, or even if it does, sensory input may override those predictions.
The predictive coding theory of autism, explained
In autism, a person's brain may not form accurate predictions of imminent experiences, or even if it does, sensory input may override those predictions.
The connectivity theory of autism, explained
A growing body of evidence suggests that autism involves atypical communication between brain regions, but how and where in the brain this plays out is unclear.
The connectivity theory of autism, explained
A growing body of evidence suggests that autism involves atypical communication between brain regions, but how and where in the brain this plays out is unclear.
Explore more from The Transmitter
‘Huge influx’ of neuroscientists migrates to Bluesky
Daily neuroscience-related posts on the social-media platform this week have increased more than 400 percent, on average, compared with October.
‘Huge influx’ of neuroscientists migrates to Bluesky
Daily neuroscience-related posts on the social-media platform this week have increased more than 400 percent, on average, compared with October.
Autism prevalence increasing in children, adults, according to electronic medical records
The uptick from 2011 to 2022 in the United States underscores a need for more services and research, the investigators say.
Autism prevalence increasing in children, adults, according to electronic medical records
The uptick from 2011 to 2022 in the United States underscores a need for more services and research, the investigators say.
Immune cell interlopers breach—and repair—brain barrier in mice
The choroid plexus, the protective network of blood vessels and epithelial cells that line the brain’s ventricles, recruits neutrophils and macrophages during inflammation, a new study shows.
Immune cell interlopers breach—and repair—brain barrier in mice
The choroid plexus, the protective network of blood vessels and epithelial cells that line the brain’s ventricles, recruits neutrophils and macrophages during inflammation, a new study shows.