Spectrum: Autism Research News

Mouse pups exposed to an immune response in the womb show autism-like behaviors and altered gene expression in brain cells called microglia.

Mutations in the Rett syndrome gene MECP2 have different effects on subtypes of neurons.

Spheres of brain cells derived from a fetal skull have gene expression patterns similar to those in brain tissue from the same fetus.

A wireless miniature microscope lets researchers peer into the brains of mice as they run along a 25-foot track.

Neurons derived from people with a syndromic form of autism look and behave differently than do those from people with classic autism.

Introducing the gene UBE3A into neurons that dampen brain activity prevents seizures in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome.

Mice missing any of 11 genes involved in the immune response show differences in brain anatomy that track with anxiety.

New initiatives aim to increase brain donations for autism research and maximize what scientists can learn from these precious specimens.

Proposed cuts to biomedical research in the United States spark outrage, the autism research community has lost a legend in Isabelle Rapin, and scientists like to move around.

Children with autism inherit a greater burden of common genetic variants associated with autism than would be expected by chance. These variants combine with rare, spontaneous mutations to boost autism risk.