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hospital for sick children

·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.

This shows a young girl's head and brain waves.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 13, 2026·7 min read

Brain Signal Predicts and Restores Attention in Children

Researchers discovered a neural signature that predicts when a child is about to lose focus. By delivering a targeted pulse at the exact millisecond this signal appears, scientists were able to restore attentional flexibility in children with ADHD and epilepsy. This world-first study paves the way for non-invasive, personalized technologies that support learning and engagement in real-time.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 21, 2025·5 min read

Tandem Repeats May Explain Autism Risk

New research has uncovered a genetic connection between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), a rare neuromuscular disease. The study identifies tandem repeat expansions (TREs) in the DMPK gene as a shared mechanism that disrupts gene splicing and contributes to ASD-like social behaviors in individuals with DM1.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·December 19, 2024·7 min read

New Genetic Link to Autism Identified on X Chromosome

Researchers identified variants in the DDX53 gene, located on the X chromosome, as contributors to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These genetic variants, found predominantly in males, provide critical insights into the biological mechanisms behind autism’s male predominance. The study also uncovered another potential gene, PTCHD1-AS, near DDX53, linked to autism, emphasizing the complexity of ASD’s genetic architecture.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 15, 2024·5 min read

How Stressful Events Alter Memories

Researchers have discovered how stress disrupts memory specificity, leading to generalized aversive memories—a hallmark of PTSD. Stress increases endocannabinoid release, enlarging memory engrams in the brain, which triggers fearful responses to unrelated, safe situations.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 16, 2023·5 min read

Memory Mechanics: How Young Brains Transition from Gist to Episodic Memory

Researchers discovered key molecular mechanisms that shift children's memory formation from general or "gist-like" to event-based or "episodic". This change in memory formation typically occurs between ages four and six. The study identified that the maturation of inhibitory cells called parvalbumin-expressing (PV) interneurons, wrapped by a dense matrix called the perineuronal net, enables memory specificity and appropriately sized engrams.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 10, 2022·5 min read

World’s Largest Autism Whole Genome Sequencing Study Reveals 134 Autism-Linked Genes

Researchers have identified 134 genes associated with autism and a range of genetic alterations associated with ASD. Notably, the study identified changes in copy number variations with likely associations with ASD, including autism-associated variants in 14% of people on the autism spectrum.