A to Z

autism spectrum disorder

·November 19, 2019·7 min read

‘Face blindness’ may involve a failed brain network, and could shed light on autism

Prosopagnosia, or "face-blindness", involves an entire network, not just one area of the brain. The findings may shed light on poor facial processing abilities associated with autism.

This shows pictures and the words associated with them, such as house

Auditory Neuroscience Autism Featured Neuroscience

·May 21, 2019·4 min read

‘Implicit measures’ better assess vocabulary for those with autism than standard tests

Eye tracking and EEG may help to assess vocabulary knowledge in those on the autism spectrum.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·August 21, 2019·4 min read

‘Key player’ identified in genetic link to psychiatric conditions

CYFIP1 plays a key role in the damaging effects of 15q11.2 deletion. When CYFIP1 is missing, myelin abnormalities occur. The findings shed light on how psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism, may develop.

This shows the chemical structure of oxytocin

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 21, 2020·4 min read

‘Love hormone’ oxytocin improves attachment issues in people with autism

Male patients on the autism spectrum who were given oxytocin for four weeks experienced improvements in social attachment behaviors for up to 12 months.

This shows a brain with the amygdala highlighted

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 11, 2019·5 min read

‘Mindreading’ neurons simulate decisions of social partners

Neurons in the amygdala derive object values based on observations and use the values to simulate a social partner's decision making.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 1, 2019·3 min read

20 novel genes associated with bipolar disorder identified

A study of more than 50,000 patients with bipolar disorder in 14 countries helped researchers identify 20 new genetic risk factors for bipolar disorder. Eight of the genes also had an association with an increased risk for schizophrenia. ASD and anorexia, it was discovered, also had genetic ties to bipolar depression.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 9, 2019·4 min read

69 genes that increase the risk for autism identified

Study identifies 69 genes linked to increased autism risk, including 16 new genes previously not believed to be associated with ASD.

Autism Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·April 30, 2019·5 min read

A Link to Autism Helped Me Find the Upside of the Negative Side of Synesthesia

D'Arcy Carter provides insight into her experiences with synesthesia.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 13, 2026·9 min read

A New Genetic Entry Point for Autism Traits

Can autism's core traits be separated from cognitive ability? Researchers have identified PTCHD1-AS, a long non-coding RNA gene that regulates social interaction and repetitive behaviors without affecting learning or memory. By tracing this gene's influence to synaptic plasticity in the striatum, the study provides a "molecular pattern" for future precision treatments aimed specifically at the hallmark features of the autism spectrum.

Autism Featured Psychology

·April 24, 2016·5 min read

A New Way to Measure Autism in Boys

According to researchers, neuroimaging techniques could enhance diagnosis and improve treatments for boys with ASD.

Autism Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 8, 2019·4 min read

A step toward better understanding brain anatomy of autism spectrum disorder

Cortical anatomy is not represented by fixed differences between those with ASD and peers not on the autism spectrum. However, differences in symptom profiles and severity, age and cognitive ability are related to brain differences specific to ASD alone.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·December 28, 2018·4 min read

A Tilt of the Head Facilitates Social Engagement

A new eye tracking study reveals left gaze bias is replaced by an upper eye bias when we look at faces tilted to an eleven degree angle. Researchers say the findings could help social engagement in those with ASD as the head tilt helps people focus more on the eyes, making others seem less threatening and more approachable.