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Spectrum: Autism Research News

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Environment

From parental age to infection during pregnancy, environmental elements can influence autism risk.

Black-and-white illustrated portrait of Jonathan Green.

‘Emergent and transactional’: How Jonathan Green is rethinking autism and interventions

by  /  28 August 2023
The experienced clinician discusses writing his recent paper, and its reception in the field.
Digital illustration of Prevotella bacteria.

Gut microbiome meta-analysis reveals consistent autism signal

by  /  22 August 2023
But the field needs to move on from cross-sectional studies to gain insights into the causes and consequences of the association, experts say.
A multiplexed image of human decidua.

Atlas charts cells of human placenta, uterus across early pregnancy

by  /  27 July 2023
A new resource gives an unparalleled look at how fetal placental cells attach to the uterine wall and remodel maternal blood vessels to access nutrients.
July 2023
Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.

Prenatal exposures; Angelman trial suspension; autistic adult well-being

by  /  17 July 2023

This month’s issue of the Null and Noteworthy newsletter breaks down some negative results involving prenatal exposures, an experimental treatment for Angelman syndrome, and the role that age at autism diagnosis plays in subsequent outcomes, and more.

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A woman stands by a window while talking on the phone and holding a pill bottle.

Evidence linking acetaminophen to autism, ADHD under debate again

by ,  /  12 July 2023

As acetaminophen lawsuits make their way through the U.S. court system, researchers reevaluate the quality of the evidence linking in-utero exposure to the painkiller to neurodevelopmental issues in children.

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April 2023
A row of magazines against the wall with many adhesive notes stuck between their pages.

Journal club: Does lithium in drinking water contribute to autism?

by  /  11 April 2023

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that autism is more common among people born in areas with high levels of lithium in drinking water, but it is too soon to say whether prenatal lithium exposure is truly a concern.

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Research image of radial glial cells in a human brain organoid.

Immune molecule alters cellular makeup of human brain organoids

by  /  5 April 2023

The changes may help explain the link between maternal infection and autism, though more research is needed.

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February 2023
Illustration of neurons.

Chromatin remodeling tied to altered splicing in autism model

by  /  7 February 2023

Exposing neurons to valproic acid, a well-known environmental risk factor for autism, disrupts their ability to generate different proteins from the same gene.

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December 2022
A photograph of zebrafish in a lab environment.

DNA unwinder tied to social behaviors in mice, zebrafish

by  /  16 December 2022

Blocking the enzyme, called TOP2A, in embryos makes the animals less inclined to seek companionship later in life.

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Illustration of a pregnant woman seated next to a large diagram of the brain featuring chromosomes, bacteria and other microbes.

The link between maternal infection and autism, explained

by  /  13 December 2022

Having an infection during pregnancy is tied to a small increase in the chances of having an autistic child, but the connection may not be causal.

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September 2022
A pregnant woman lies in a hospital bed.

Registry review casts doubt on causal link between maternal infection and autism

by  /  23 September 2022

The long-standing link between maternal infection during pregnancy and having a child with autism may reflect common genetic or environmental factors instead.

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August 2022
Illustration of screenlight projecting shadows on the wall of distracted parents: one is on their phone and the other is leaving the room.

Studies investigating link between screen time and autism must improve

by  /  29 August 2022

Showing an association is not enough to determine causation.

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Portrait of Judy Van De Water at her home in Fort Bragg, CA, with her paintings.

Beyond the bench: A conversation with Judy Van de Water

by  /  12 August 2022

When Van de Water isn’t busy mentoring “the next generation of scientists” in her lab, she finds time to paint, watch HGTV and hang out with her horse, Hank.

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