Autism

Fragile X syndrome: Sensory signals from outside world are underrepresented by cortical pyramida, study shows

In Fragile X syndrome, sensory signals from the outside world are integrated differently, causing them to be underrepresented by cortical pyramidal neurons in the brain, according to a new study.

Computational modeling sheds light on human cognition and the origins of brain disorders

Researchers used computational modeling to uncover mutations in the human genome that likely influenced the evolution of human cognition. This groundbreaking research in human genomics could lead to a better understanding of human health and the discovery of novel treatments for complex brain disord...
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Brain-wave data and hearing test may help diagnosis autism earlier

Brain-wave data collected during a hearing test routinely given to newborns could help clinicians spot neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism in early infancy, according to a new study.

Drug alleviates autism-associated behavior in mice

The behavioral disorders observed in autism are associated with a multitude of genetic alterations. Scientists have now found another molecular cause for this condition. The transcription factor MYT1L normally protects the molecular identity of nerve cells. If it is genetically switched off in huma...
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A sense of purpose may have significant impact on teens' emotional well-being

Feeling a sense of purpose has a significant impact on adolescents' emotional well-being.

Toddlers' attention to 'motherese' speech may be used to diagnose autism

Toddlers' level of attention to 'motherese' speech can be used as a biomarker for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to new research. To measure it, scientists developed a new eye-tracking test, which can accurately identify toddlers with a subtype of ASD. ...
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New collection of human brain atlases that chart postnatal development

Scientists have created a new collection of month-by-month infant brain atlas (IBA) that capture fine details of the early developing brain across both space and time.

How Huntington's disease affects different neurons

Neuroscientists find two distinct cell populations in the striatum are affected differently by Huntington's disease. They believe neurodegeneration of one of these populations leads to motor impairments, while damage to the other population, located in a structure called the striosome, may account f...
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The link between mental health and ADHD is strong — so why aren't we paying attention?

On Blue Monday -- supposedly the gloomiest day of the year -- a study shows adults with high levels of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than adults with high levels of autistic traits. ...
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Females on average perform better than males on a 'theory of mind' test across 57 countries, new study suggests

Females, on average, are better than males at putting themselves in others' shoes and imagining what the other person is thinking or feeling, suggests a new study of over 300,000 people in 57 countries.