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Autism

Research articles covering work related to austism spectrum disorders are provided below.

This shows a little boy looking out of a window

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·February 1, 2021·2 min read

Defects in Mitochondria May Lead to Autism

Mitochondrial defects in brain cells may be a cause of autism spectrum disorder, a new study reports.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 26, 2021·5 min read

LSD May Offer Viable Treatment for Certain Mental Disorders

LSD increases social behaviors by activating 5-HTPA serotonin receptors and AMPA receptors in the prefrontal cortex, and the mTORC1 protein. Activating all three factors promoted social interactions. The findings suggest supervised LSD microdosing may help alleviate some of the social problems associated with ASD and other mental health disorders that impact social behaviors.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 25, 2021·5 min read

Biomarkers in Mother’s Plasma Predict a Type of Autism in Offspring With 100% Accuracy

Using machine learning, researchers have identified patterns of maternal autoantibodies in the blood plasma of pregnant women that were highly associated with autism and the severity of symptoms in offspring.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 20, 2021·4 min read

Prenatal BPA Exposure May Contribute to the Male Bias of ASD

Exposure to BPA during the gestational period leads to decreased neural viability and neural density in the hippocampus of male offspring. Additionally, exposure led to the dysregulation of ASD-related genes in the hippocampus. Findings suggest BPA may serve as an environmental factor that contributes to the prevalence of male-bias in autism.

The image shows a child playing with lego blocks

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·January 16, 2021·4 min read

Mothers of Children With Autism Found to Have Significantly Different Metabolite Levels

Two to five years after birth, mothers of children on the autism spectrum have several significantly different metabolite levels than mothers of typically developing children.

Autism Featured Psychology

·January 12, 2021·4 min read

Cats May Help Increase Empathy and Decrease Anxiety for Kids With Autism

Cats may help increase empathy while reducing symptoms of separation anxiety in children with autism, a new study reports.

This shows a child playing with colorful building blocks

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·January 8, 2021·6 min read

Autism Theory 25 Years in the Making

New autism theory is consistent with the current science on the genetics of the disorder but shifts the focus to the positive traits of ASD and historical events that altered the prevalence of autism in society.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 4, 2021·6 min read

Clinical Criteria for Diagnosing Autism Inadequate for People With Genetic Conditions

People with one of four genetic disorders express symptoms associated with autism, although they do not meet the criteria for ASD diagnosis.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·December 23, 2020·4 min read

Diversity and Severity of Autism Symptoms Linked to Mutation Locations

The severity of autism symptoms depends on which specific functional unit within a gene is the target of the mutation.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·December 17, 2020·6 min read

Big Brains and White Matter: New Clues About Autism Subtypes

Two new studies shed light on brain development and changes in ASD. Researchers found the development of white matter tracts in the brain was linked to the severity of autism symptoms. Additionally, larger brain size at age 3 was linked to a larger brain size later in childhood.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·December 16, 2020·3 min read

New Insights Into Fragile X Syndrome and the Fetal Brain

Researchers have identified a potential molecular mechanism that causes Fragile X syndrome in the developing fetal brain.

Autism Featured Psychology

·December 12, 2020·3 min read

Psychiatric Disorders Explain Increased Risk for Self-Harm In ASD

Young adults on the autism spectrum with co-morbid psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and affective disorders, have a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviors.