When GABA targets are activated, visual processing for people on the autism spectrum becomes more like that of non-autistic people.
Researchers identified molecular signatures of gestational inflammation that appear to be biomarkers for autism risk. The immune signatures were identified in both maternal blood samples during pregnancy and in umbilical cord blood from children later diagnosed with ASD.
Infants and toddlers on the autism spectrum who showed the poorest neural responses to motherese, or baby-talk by parents, also displayed the most severe social symptoms, poorest language outcomes, and greatest impairments in behavioral preference and attention toward motherese. Conversely, neurotypical children showed stronger neural responses and affinity to motherese.
Study reveals symptoms of autism can be detected within the first year of a child's life, and early detection can help with interventions that may significantly reduce the severity of lifelong developmental deviation.
The deletion of the autism-associated Tbx1 gene results in slower cognitive processing and decreased myelin in mouse models.
A new review of almost 200 publications suggests the gut microbiota may play a critical role in modulating brain function, social behavior and other symptoms of autism.
Children with autism have abnormally low levels of the CNTNAP2 protein. The protein, which can be detected in cerebrospinal fluid samples, may serve as a new biomarker for autism and could potentially become a target to treat epilepsy that is commonly associated with ASD.
The choline transporter protein regulates habituation to smells in fruit fly brains.
Gene editing may provide hope for the treatment of Fragile X, the leading genetic cause of autism.
A new investigation into interneuron development sheds light on how disorders associated with neurodevelopment, such as autism and schizophrenia may occur.
A new machine-learning algorithm could help practitioners identify autism in children more effectively.
Researchers found those on the autism spectrum with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or decreased ApoA1 levels had lower adaptive functioning than others with ASD.
