Male mice with a genetic variant tied to autism may have learning difficulties that females with the variant do not.

An interview for diagnosing adults on the spectrum clears its first hurdle, a fragile X drug eases multiple features of the syndrome in a mouse model, and a brain bank chronicles the beautiful diversity of neurons.

A chemical that doctors use to create contrast on X-rays also yields clear images of neurons in the brains of living mice.

Sophisticated animal models — including a new rat model — are revealing how maternal antibodies contribute to autism risk.

A drug that selectively blocks one form of an enzyme called GSK-3 prevents seizures and improves cognitive deficits in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome.

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

Mice and people missing a copy of a chromosomal region called 16p11.2 show similar patterns of weak brain connections.

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

A virus that delivers a working copy of the Rett syndrome gene to the brain improves features of the condition in mice, and appears to be safe in monkeys.

Nongenetic rodent models most relevant to autism tend to be those exposed to environmental agents in the womb or shortly after birth.