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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Tag: maternal infection

November 2018

Brain’s immune cells may underlie autism risk from maternal infection

by  /  4 November 2018

A pregnant mouse’s response to infection alters the immune cells in her pups’ brains, and this may contribute to their autism-like behaviors.

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Outlines of mice neurons have long branches.

Rodent models of autism miss milestone in brain signaling

by  /  4 November 2018

In mice exposed to maternal inflammation in the womb, a key chemical messenger never makes the switch from exciting brain signals to inhibiting them.

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Fever in pregnant rats alters pups’ social skills

by  /  3 November 2018

Fever in pregnant rats around the time of delivery disrupts their pups’ communication and social behavior.

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September 2018

Autism’s sex bias may originate in brain’s immune cells

by  /  5 September 2018

The brain’s immune cells, called microglia, function differently in male and female rodents. In people, a similar phenomenon may make male brains more vulnerable to autism.

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August 2018

Webinar: Judy Van de Water discusses the maternal immune system and autism

 /  29 August 2018

Watch the complete replay of Judy Van de Water discussing the maternal immune system and autism.

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May 2018

Inflammation in mother tied to child’s brain function, behavior

by  /  31 May 2018

Brain networks in newborns may reflect the degree of inflammation their mothers experienced during pregnancy.

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February 2018
Child coloring in a classroom

Hospitalization during pregnancy boosts risk of difficulties in child

by  /  5 February 2018

Children of women who are hospitalized during pregnancy may develop poor physical, social, cognitive or emotional skills.

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January 2018
Week of JanuaryJan
15th
2018

Social genome; nonspeaking host; microbiome brain and more

by  /  19 January 2018

Common genetics may help forge social ties, a nonspeaking woman with autism hosts “The Late Show,” and the mix of bacteria in the gut may relate to brain structure.

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December 2017

Five hot topics in autism research in 2017

by  /  22 December 2017

We waded through the sea of autism studies published in 2017 and spotted several themes.

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November 2017
Illustration: Parents looking over a railing into a river, while a child balances on the railing beside them.

Why autism seems to cluster in some immigrant groups

by  /  29 November 2017

Cultural barriers lead clinicians to misdiagnose or miss children with autism in immigrant communities.

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