Autism

Gene mutation leading to autism found to overstimulate brain cells

Scientists looking to understand the fundamental brain mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder have found that a gene mutation known to be associated with the disorder causes an overstimulation of brain cells far greater than that seen in neuronal cells without the mutation. The study, spanning seven...
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Pattern of gene activity for ADHD

Researchers have successfully identified differences in gene activity in the brains of people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study found that individuals diagnosed with ADHD had differences in genes that code for known chemicals that brain cells use to communicate. The res...
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The hunt for disrupted brain signals behind autism

Part of understanding the underlying causes of autism spectrum disorder relies on figuring out which cells' signaling patterns in the brain are disrupted, and when during nervous system development the disruption occurs. New research findings in mouse models of one genetic risk for autism support th...
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Autism research: Understanding reluctance to make eye contact with others

Using an innovative technology that enables imaging of two individuals during live and natural conditions, researchers have identified specific brain areas in the dorsal parietal region of the brain associated with the social symptomatology of autism. ...
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Adding sensory integration to autism assessments may yield more individualized treatment

People with autism are often portrayed in popular media as experiencing difficulty processing highly stimulating or overly loud environments. While this is certainly true for many, there can be a wide diversity in the ways people comprehend the information they perceive from all senses. New research...
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Sensitivity to musical rhythm supports social development in infants

Engaging infants with a song provides a ready-made means for supporting social development and interaction, according to a new study.

Brain changes in autism are far more sweeping than previously known, study finds

Brain changes in autism are comprehensive throughout the cerebral cortex rather than just particular areas thought to affect social behavior and language, according to a new study that significantly refines scientists' understanding of how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) progresses at the molecular l...
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Study offers new insights into genetic mutations in autism disorders and points to possible treatments

Findings from a new study are providing further insight into the neurobiological basis of autism spectrum disorders and pointing to possible treatments.

Sites in the brain where RNA is edited could help to better explain neurodevelopment and disease

Researchers have catalogued thousands of sites in the brain where RNA is modified throughout the human lifespan in a process known as adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing, offering important new avenues for understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain development and how they factor...
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Actors suppress their sense of self when playing a new character

Actors may suppress their core sense of self when acting, as they immerse themselves in a new role, according to a new study.