Autism

A new study of nearly 300,000 mothers reveals that experiencing abnormally hot nights during early and late pregnancy increases the risk of their child being diagnosed with autism by up to 15 percent.

Autism is linked to distinct physical anomalies at birth, according to new research. The study reveals that boys with autism show higher rates of urogenital malformations, while girls show more circulatory issues, hinting at hormonal origins.

Large language models often tell autistic users to avoid socializing and romance. While some users appreciate the protective tone, others feel the technology relies on restrictive stereotypes that limit their personal growth.

A new study analyzing over 1.7 million birth records in California reveals that the age of maternal grandparents may be linked to the likelihood of their grandchildren developing autism. The patterns vary substantially across different racial and ethnic groups.

By sequencing the DNA of thousands of Latin American individuals, researchers confirmed that autism risk genes are universally shared. The discovery proves that the condition’s underlying cellular biology operates completely independently of a person's ancestral background.

By growing miniature brain models from patient cells, researchers have identified distinct electrical activity patterns linked to various autism profiles. This approach offers a personalized way to study the unique biological roots of neurodevelopmental conditions.

Researchers found that daily doses of CBD oil may ease anxiety and improve certain social behaviors in autistic children. The preliminary trial also reports a noticeable drop in the daily stress experienced by their parents.

A study in Nature Mental Health provides evidence that depression, trauma, and loneliness drive suicidal thoughts in older adults with autistic traits. The findings indicate that targeted mental health support could help protect this vulnerable aging population.

A comprehensive new study suggests that females require a much larger biological and cognitive shift to develop autism than males do. The findings help explain why the condition is diagnosed significantly more often in boys.

Scientists have mapped a direct link between a common brain gas and the hyperactive cell growth often seen in autism. Protecting a specific protein from this gas normalized behavior in animal models and human cell cultures.

A large dataset analysis indicates that standard psychological therapies frequently fail to help autistic patients with depression and anxiety. Researchers found that adapting care to fit neurodivergent needs is necessary to improve patient outcomes.

A new study finds no link between COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental delays. Researchers observed equivalent communication, motor, and social skills in toddlers regardless of whether their mothers received the vaccine.

New research identifies distinct bacterial profiles in autistic individuals, their siblings, and unrelated controls. The study found that specific gut bacteria are associated with reduced social impairment and fewer emotional problems.

Infants with consistently small or large head circumferences during their first year had three times the odds of an autism diagnosis, a new study finds. For those in the most extreme percentiles, the odds were up to ten times higher.

New research finds that while autistic traits predict discomfort with eye contact, this uneasiness does not cause slower emotion recognition. The findings suggest these are distinct cognitive issues rather than a cause-and-effect relationship.