Research on autism and neurodevelopment. Covers screening and diagnosis gaps, rising diagnoses among girls, prenatal risks, and genomics.
Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital discovered a new target to treat autism symptoms by addressing a problem in brain blood vessels. By fixing the issue in endothelial cells, they were able to reverse certain behavioral symptoms in a mouse model of autism.
The UCLA Tarjan Center is launching a three-year initiative to expand employment opportunities for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program aims to improve employment pathways, workforce training, leadership development and access to disability resources. Through three complementary programs, participa...
A study of over 6 million people found that individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before the age of 20 were more likely to have ADHD (14%) and autism (5.7%) compared to those without T2D. This suggests that healthcare systems may need to consider the needs of neurodivergent people when providing care for early-onset T2D.
A recent review of 3 million participants found small positive associations between prenatal paracetamol exposure and autism and ADHD, but these associations weakened with higher-quality studies. The evidence does not support a causal link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
A novel software and hardware solution analyzes synaptic dysfunctions related to Autism Spectrum Disorders and similar complex neurological conditions. The technology, comprising a neural network model and hardware architecture, provides real-time, biologically relevant synaptic analysis.
A UCLA study found that teaching autistic children to 'think like a reporter' using cognitive reappraisal reduces brain activity in sensory regions and increases activity in areas regulating emotional responses. The technique, already used in cognitive behavioral therapy, shows promise in easing sensory difficulties in daily life.
A large-scale study found that children with congenital TORCH infections were three times more likely to be diagnosed with autism and seven times more likely to be diagnosed with an intellectual disability. The study also showed an impact on academic performance, suggesting long-term effects on brain development.
Researchers identified two opposing patterns of brain gene activity in mice carrying autism-risk mutations, which vary by sex and respond differently to experimental drugs. The patterns, which are shared across multiple analyses, suggest that many different genetic mutations converge into a limited number of molecular brain states.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered that inflammation during a critical window of pregnancy can contribute to autism-like traits in male mice. The study found that fetuses were most susceptible to developing abnormalities following inflammation at 12.5 days of gestation.
A cohort study found that detection-related factors may contribute to reported increases in ASD occurrence estimates. The study suggests that methodological differences, changing service-use patterns, and ascertainment context should be accounted for when interpreting changes in ASD occurrence estimates.
Researchers have discovered a rare population of neurons in the cortex that can synchronize activity across large areas of the brain and promote sleep. These Sst-Chodl neurons were found to be active during the transition to sleep and could even help drive the process, suggesting that the cortex is not simply passive during sleep.
A new video game, Geode, measures how people with autism understand and interpret information, providing fresh insights into the autistic brain and refining therapy development. The game, which can be played by people across the autism spectrum, includes nonverbal players and was successful in collecting detailed data on sensory input ...
A Danish study found that children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD or autism today share more characteristics with their peers in the general population than those diagnosed a decade ago. The differences in characteristics such as pregnancy-related factors, family socioeconomic factors, and healthcare use before diagnosis have decr...
Researchers identified referral gaps, diagnostic waits, and service pressures that can delay action after early autism concerns emerge. The study suggests practical changes to improve coordination and timely support for families, including repeat surveillance, closed-loop referral tracking, and needs-based support.
Salk Institute scientists found that maternal immune activation leads to epigenetic changes in mouse brains, increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. These changes were particularly significant in areas of the genome associated with autism spectrum disorder.
A new study from Saint Louis University found that autism diagnoses are rising fastest among girls and women, driven by increased awareness and diagnosis rates, not an epidemic. The study analyzed nearly a decade of health records and tracked sex-specific trends across childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
Scientists at UCSF QBI mapped 1,800 protein interactions across 100 autism risk genes, revealing how diverse genetic mutations converge on shared molecular pathways. The study provides a framework for designing medicines that target multiple genetic forms of autism simultaneously, offering advantages in brain delivery and tolerability.
The grant will support QBI's role in ARIA's Protein-Protein Interactions Hub, mapping disrupted protein complexes and developing mechanism-based small molecule medicines. The work aims to move from fundamental science to therapeutic discovery for people with autism and others on the spectrum.
A large NIH study found no link between prenatal organophosphate pesticide exposure and autism-related traits in children. Despite earlier studies suggesting cognitive challenges and ADHD, the study's findings indicate these pesticides may not be associated with autism-related traits at relatively low exposure levels.
Researchers analyzed data from 3,339 mother-child pairs and found no significant relationship between prenatal organophosphate pesticide exposure and social communication problems and autism-related traits. However, the study's findings suggest that long-term research is needed to clarify which environmental exposures matter most in co...
A new research tool, PGS-TRI, analyzes family data to understand how genetics and environment contribute to autism risk. The tool provides a more precise look at how 'nature' and 'nurture' interact within families, allowing researchers to better understand the complex factors that shape a child's health.
A study combining three brain scans found a higher number of dopamine D2 receptors in autistic brains, suggesting a link between the dopamine system and autism. The researchers also found that the dopamine system affects communication between brain regions differently in autistic participants.
Research from Washington University School of Medicine identifies brain differences tied to sensory distress, often linked to anxiety and autism. Sensory over-responsivity is connected to anxiety in both children with autism and those without, but not directly related to ADHD.
A study found a sharp increase in leucovorin dispensing to children aged 0-17 after a press conference touting its autism benefits, despite limited evidence supporting the claim. The spike in prescriptions rose 700% between 2024 and 2025, with the largest increases seen among children ages 6-11 and in the southern US.
A new study challenges long-held assumptions about autism by showing that autistic people can understand others' emotions just as well as non-autistic people. Researchers found that autistic participants were similarly accurate at tracking emotional experiences and may have been slightly more accurate when understanding other autistic ...
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found no association between male circumcision and an increased risk of autism. The analysis of nearly 3,000 boys followed from birth into childhood showed that circumcised boys did not have a higher risk of autism compared to uncircumcised boys.
A Swansea University PhD researcher has received funding to attend the Psychonomic Society Annual Meeting to share her findings on how neurodivergent people process visual symbols. Her research reveals that neurodivergent participants respond more quickly and accurately to these symbols, highlighting important differences in cognitive ...
Researchers at UCLA created a 'cell village' approach to study the genetics of brain cell fitness, which revealed that individuals with autism are more likely to have faster-dividing cells. This discovery could lead to early mechanistic understanding of how autism develops and improve personalized treatment.
A cohort study of 2771 male children found no evidence that neonatal medical male circumcision is associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. The study also examined the effects of acetaminophen use during and after the procedure, but found it to be uncommon.
Researchers found that attention networks play a crucial role in communication difficulties in children with autism, affecting verbal and non-verbal communication. Weaker connections in the Dorsal Attention Network and Salience Network led to greater difficulties with understanding gestures, facial expressions, and social signals.
Researchers developed CAMI-2DNet, an AI system that measures a child's ability to imitate simple body movements using ordinary video recordings. This technology brings scalable and objective methods for evaluating motor imitation, a key behavioral marker associated with autism.
Scientists have discovered a new approach to treating genetic brain disorders by redirecting brain development. The therapy helps at-risk neurons grow and connect more normally, strengthening connections among existing neurons and restoring cognitive function.
Researchers found that a single dose of rapamycin rapidly improved symptoms in adult mice with autism-like changes, reversing abnormal brain signaling and behavior within two hours. The study suggests the adult brain's functional circuitry, not just its physical structure, as a target for future treatment approaches.
Research suggests that sports-based interventions may improve motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Martial arts and aquatic training demonstrated the most consistent benefits, particularly in balance and total motor skills. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that people with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, alcohol addiction, or psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia show increased brain aging patterns. The researchers analyzed MRI data from over 45,900 controls and compared them to 2,698 patients with different brain conditions.
A review article highlights the potential risks of certain medications during pregnancy on brain development, including autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. Altering fundamental brain processes can have detrimental effects, emphasizing the need for reduced use or alternative treatments.
Researchers found subtle patterns in brain activity while children listened to speech linked to verbal communication abilities in autistic youths. Altered brain signals suggested the brain may process speech less efficiently, with noisier signals associated with lower scores on everyday verbal communication.
A gene therapy approach has restored several disease-relevant traits in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, including reduced seizure susceptibility and improved brain activity markers. The study's findings suggest that restoring the FMRP protein could improve symptoms such as sensory hypersensitivity and repetitive behavior.
A Stanford Medicine-led study found that teenagers with autism are less responsive to unfamiliar voices as they mature. Unlike neurotypical teens, the reward centers in autistic teens' brains don't become increasingly responsive to strangers' voices during adolescence, which may impact social connections and friendships.
A new study by Mount Sinai researchers has estimated that Phelan-McDermid syndrome affects approximately 13.7 cases per 100,000 people, equivalent to about 1 in 7,300 individuals. The condition is a rare genetic disorder caused by deletion or mutation of the SHANK3 gene and often co-occurs with autism spectrum disorder.
A new study finds that fully virtual applied behavior analysis (ABA) services delivered by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) are a feasible alternative to traditional in-person therapy. Children with autism who received focused ABA services showed improvements in adaptive skills, behavior outcomes, and family quality of life.
The University of Cambridge will join the Yang Tan Collective with Harvard University and MIT to focus on cutting-edge science and accelerate autism research. Research centers will investigate challenges faced by autistic individuals, including lower life-expectancy rates and early diagnosis.
Researchers propose a new approach to supporting children with neurodevelopmental conditions by considering the broader neurodevelopmental spectrum. The study identifies a common underlying dimension that reflects the constellation of traits characterizing these conditions across development.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that people diagnosed with ADHD or autism in recent years have a lower genetic predisposition than those diagnosed earlier. The study suggests that today's diagnoses encompass a broader group of individuals and milder symptom profiles. This shift is attributed to changes in diagnostic...
A population-based study found no association between prenatal paracetamol exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in offspring. The study suggests that positive signals from previous research may be due to familial confounding.
A decade of canine research suggests that genetically engineered Beagles could be a complementary and welfare-conscious model for autism treatments. The study gathers findings on the behavior and traits of these dogs in relation to human autism, including signs of treatment with oxytocin and psychedelics.
Researchers developed a gene therapy that restored normal brain activity and improved behavior in mice with Fragile X syndrome by replacing the missing FMRP protein. The treatment administered during early development showed significant improvements in cognitive flexibility, social interactions, and probabilistic reversal learning.
Researchers discovered that common molecular effects occur across different genetic mutations in autism, particularly during early brain development. These findings could lead to stage-specific and sex-specific therapeutic approaches for early intervention.
A team studied 173 multiplex families from the Azores and Madeira islands, finding a single broken gene that travels through three generations and causes different illnesses. The CHD2 mutation is rare and affects schizophrenia, mood disorder, and autism in different family members.
A White House announcement on treating autism with leucovorin and against acetaminophen during pregnancy led to significant increases in internet searches for these topics. Nearly 1 million additional searches for leucovorin were recorded, alongside over 4 million searches for acetaminophen.
Baylor College of Medicine researcher Dr. Jimmy Holder and his team will join the ARIA IMPACT Network to accelerate clinical trial readiness and implementation for promising therapies on autism. The collaboration aims to better understand how autism develops and changes over time in children with profound autism.
Boston Children's Hospital has been awarded up to $17.25 million to participate in the Innovative Medicine and Precision Approaches to Clinical Trials (IMPACT) Network, an international effort aimed at speeding up the development of urgently needed treatments for children with profound autism and related neurodevelopmental disabilities...
The study analyzed polygenic scores and simulated expectations to understand changes in genetic contributions to ASD and ADHD diagnoses by year of diagnosis. Findings suggest broadening diagnostic criteria as a possible explanation for increasing rates, which has significant implications for risk factors and clinical practice.
Researchers identified a promising new strategy for reversing autism-related brain deficits by targeting a specific glycine transporter. The therapy restored NMDA receptor function in mouse models and human brain organoids, improving behavioral abnormalities such as social interaction and repetitive behaviors.
A new NIH study found associations between fertility history and children's development, including slightly higher behavior-problem scores and autism-like traits. Non-IVF fertility treatments were also linked to a higher risk of ADHD in children.
Researchers will investigate the link between SYNGAP1 protein deficiency, cilia dysfunction, and clinical symptoms of SYNGAP1-Related Disorders. The study aims to inform rational drug design and provide new insights for targeted therapies.
A new study reveals that specific neural circuits can be activated to reverse structural abnormalities associated with autism spectrum disorder. Researchers successfully restored the axon initial segment's length and improved behavioral abnormalities in an ASD mouse model.
Researchers are developing innovative approaches to identify markers of autism in children born before 37 weeks of gestation. The project aims to create an AI-enabled digital twin for autism diagnosis, providing personalized support and treatment plans for affected children.
The CURE SYNGAP1 COLLECTIVE is a collaborative framework uniting independent SYNGAP1 charities worldwide to accelerate treatments for individuals with SYNGAP1-Related Disorders. The Collective focuses on three primary pillars: research, industry engagement, and patient advocacy.
Acetaminophen remains the recommended medication for treating pain and fever during pregnancy. Recent studies have investigated its potential association with childhood neurobehavioral issues, but significant limitations were found in their study designs. SMFM recommends acetaminophen as a safe treatment option for pregnant patients wh...