The animals recall fear more readily if a set of inhibitory neurons in the hippocampus is switched on.

Overexpressing genes involved in the pathway, which regulates protein quality, changes repetitive behaviors in the animals.

The machine-learning tool, which automatically counts how many marbles a mouse buries, appears to distinguish between hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors.

A brain area called the tail of the striatum may account for the shift.

The drug suppresses an overactive signaling pathway implicated in tuberous sclerosis complex.

The new animal line could accelerate the discovery of gene-activating therapies for the autism-linked condition Rett syndrome.

Given the known link between severe maternal infections and autism, some scientists are investigating whether COVID-19 during pregnancy can affect a child’s neurodevelopment.

Mutations in a newly identified protein complex that interacts with the Rett protein also lead to a Rett-like condition in mice, researchers say.

Mutations in the autism-linked gene PAX5 underlie a range of traits, including developmental delay, intellectual disability, seizures and autism.

Targeting the molecule, 4EPS, with an experimental drug may be a way to ease anxiety for autistic people, the researchers say. But not everyone is convinced.