Autism News and Research

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Autism (sometimes called “classical autism”) is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or severely limited activities and interests. Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Experts estimate that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females.

Study identifies rare inherited variants that implicate new autism candidate risk genes

Scientists have found a rare class of genetic differences that are transmitted from parents without autism to their children affected with autism.

28 Jul 2021

Study identifies a signaling protein that controls the assembly of mitochondria

Scientists from the University of Freiburg have identified a signaling protein that regulates the assembly of human cellular “power plants.”

21 Jul 2021

Study shows astrocytes induce sex differences during brain development

Scientists have found that when brain cells develop, they may find various ways to link with each other based on sex.

21 Jul 2021

Study reveals neurotransmitter releases impairments in schizophrenia patients

A research team revealed that neurotransmitter release in the brain is impaired in patients with schizophrenia who possess a rare, single-gene mutation.

16 Jul 2021

Study reveals causal gene in autism model mice with copy number variation

A new study has unraveled a causal gene (Necdin, NDN) in autism model mice that exhibit the chromosomal abnormality known as copy number variation.

13 Jul 2021

Scientists reveal key role of glial protein in building the brain

When we think of the brain, we think of neurons. But much of the brain is made of non-neuronal cells called glial cells, which help regulate brain development and function.

25 Jun 2021

Study reveals a preliminary genetic link to dyspraxia

Researchers from Oxford Brookes University have found certain genes that can potentially reveal critical information about the biology of developmental coordination disorder (DCD), also called dyspraxia.

11 Jun 2021

Nutritional supplement can help bolster key functions for people with brain disorders

An international subject pool was studied to confirm the effectiveness of a whole food complete vitamin and meal replacement product, IQed. The article, co-authored by Lisa Geng; Francine Hamel, EdD, SLP-CCC; Doreen Lewis, Ph.D., appeared in the peer-reviewed journal, Alternative Therapies (Altern Ther Health Med 2021 Mar;27(2):11-20).

7 Jun 2021

Study shows how mitochondrial function impacts schizophrenia in patients with genetic disorder

Researchers have demonstrated how cell “batteries” play a significant role in whether patients with the chromosomal deletion syndrome acquire schizophrenia.

20 May 2021

Researchers gain new insights into the physiological functions of APP protein

The pivotal role played by the APP protein in Alzheimer’s disease is well known.

20 May 2021

Abnormal fetal development is regulated by genetics, not the intrauterine environment

The genetics of the placenta and fetus, not the mother’s intrauterine environment, regulate developmental abnormalities, including those that contribute to pregnancy loss.

5 May 2021

Study shows autism spectrum disorder is related to changes in the gut microbiome

According to a new study, autism spectrum disorder is associated with changes in the gut microbiome.

7 Apr 2021

Unique mini-microscope enables imaging of brain activity in freely moving mice

Researchers from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Science and Engineering and Medical School have developed a unique head-mounted mini-microscope device that allows them to image complex brain functions of freely moving mice in real time over a period of more than 300 days.

6 Apr 2021

Innovative computational model of cells could help better understand neurodevelopmental disorders

For a long time, researchers have attempted to gain better insights into the development of the cerebral cortex and its layers, since pathologies are associated with this process.

From University of Surrey 1 Apr 2021

Scientists provide a complete phenotypic landscape of SCN2A-related disorders

Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) affiliated with the CHOP Epilepsy Neurogenetics Initiative (ENGIN) have compiled a complete genetic and clinical analysis of more than 400 individuals with SCN2A-related disorder, which has been linked to a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders, including epilepsy and autism.

18 Mar 2021

Enzyme in fruit fly larvae plays key role in waking up brain stem cells

Researchers studying an enzyme in fruit fly larvae have found that it plays an important role in waking up brain stem cells from their dormant 'quiescent' state, enabling them to proliferate and generate new neurons.

12 Feb 2021

Light-activated protein can be used to study single synapses of neurons

Neurons are the primary cells of the nervous system, and the signals that are transmitted between them are responsible for all our actions and our cognitive ability.

10 Feb 2021

Scientists implicate disruption in prenatal neurogenesis in the development of autism

A new study of autism risk genes by UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley scientists implicates disruption in prenatal neurogenesis - a process in which specialized "progenitor" cells give rise to new brain cells - in the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

9 Feb 2021

Study shows strong link between genetic changes and cerebral palsy

Scientists have identified a strong connection between genetic modifications known to cause cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental disabilities.

3 Feb 2021

KAIST researchers identify mechanism underlying plasticity in adult brains

Developing brains constantly sprout new neuronal connections called synapses as they learn and remember. Important connections — the ones that are repeatedly introduced, such as how to avoid danger — are nurtured and reinforced, while connections deemed unnecessary are pruned away.

28 Dec 2020