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Autism

·September 17, 2025·5 min read

Gut Problems in Autism Linked to Sleep, Behavior, and Sensory Challenges

A long-term study tracking 475 children found that autistic children are far more likely to experience persistent gastrointestinal issues than their peers. These symptoms often co-occur, persist across childhood, and strongly relate to challenges with sleep, communication, behavior, and sensory processing.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·September 16, 2025·8 min read

Opioid Use in Pregnancy Not Linked to Autism or ADHD Risk

A large-scale study analyzing over a million births in Sweden found no evidence that prescribed opioid pain medications during pregnancy cause autism or ADHD in children. While earlier data suggested a potential link, those associations largely disappeared after accounting for genetics, parental mental health, and shared family environment.

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Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 9, 2025·4 min read

Evolution of Human Brain May Explain High Autism Rates

A new study suggests that autism may be linked to the rapid evolution of brain cell types unique to humans. Researchers found that outer-layer neurons in the human brain evolved far more quickly than in other apes, with significant changes in autism-associated genes.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 5, 2025·4 min read

Environment Shapes Autism-Linked Social Behaviors

A new study shows that environment significantly affects social behavior in zebrafish carrying a mutation linked to autism. In stressful, white Styrofoam tanks, the fish displayed higher anxiety and less social contact, while in familiar Plexiglass tanks their sociability improved.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 4, 2025·5 min read

Autism Gene Found to Alter Brain’s Social Hormone Signals

A new study reveals how a mutation in the Shank3 gene, associated with autism, alters social behavior by disrupting vasopressin release in the brain. In mice, this mutation reduced sociability and defensive aggression by limiting vasopressin reaching the lateral septum.

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Autism Featured Neuroscience

·August 30, 2025·6 min read

Most Autistic Adults Over 40 Remain Undiagnosed

A major review has revealed that nearly all autistic adults over 40 in the UK remain undiagnosed, leaving them vulnerable to serious health and social challenges. The findings show that older autistic adults face higher risks of nearly all physical and mental health conditions, including early-onset dementia and increased suicidal ideation.

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Autism Featured Neuroscience

·August 28, 2025·5 min read

Most Alternative Autism Treatments Unproven

A sweeping review of 248 meta-analyses on complementary and alternative medicines (CAIMs) for autism found no strong evidence to support their use. Researchers assessed 19 types of interventions, from music therapy to probiotics, but results were generally unreliable and safety evaluations were scarce.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·August 20, 2025·4 min read

Experimental Drugs Reverse Autism Symptoms

Researchers have identified hyperactivity in the reticular thalamic nucleus as a driver of autism-like behaviors in mice. This brain region, which gates sensory information, was found to be overactive during stimuli and social interactions, leading to seizures, repetitive behaviors, and social withdrawal.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·August 20, 2025·4 min read

Gut Bacteria and Immune Cells May Drive Autism

Researchers have uncovered a critical connection between the gut microbiota, the immune system, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In a germ-free genetic mouse model, removal of gut microbes reduced autism-like behaviors and lowered brain inflammation, showing that microbes may play a dominant role in driving symptoms.

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Autism Featured Neuroscience

·August 18, 2025·5 min read

Prenatal Acetaminophen Linked to Higher Autism, ADHD Risk

A new study has raised concerns about the safety of acetaminophen use during pregnancy, linking prenatal exposure to higher risks of autism and ADHD. Using the gold-standard Navigation Guide review method, the team analyzed 46 studies with over 100,000 participants, finding that stronger studies more consistently showed a connection.

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Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 12, 2025·4 min read

Pre-Pregnancy Obesity Linked to Autism Risk

A new study reveals how maternal obesity before pregnancy can program autism-related behaviors in offspring through lasting epigenetic changes in egg cells. Using IVF and embryo transfer in mice, researchers isolated the pre-conception effects, finding altered DNA methylation patterns that disrupted genes such as Homer1.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 10, 2025·6 min read

When Music Meets Attention: How Background Tunes Shape Focus

A new study compared background music listening habits between young adults with and without ADHD, revealing distinct patterns in when and what they listen to. ADHD-screened participants reported more frequent music use during both less demanding tasks and while studying, with a stronger preference for stimulating tracks.