Autism

Scientists have developed a new method to understand autism by studying individual variations in brain connectivity.

Can psychedelics help autistic adults? A new study reveals some report benefits like reduced anxiety and better social connection, but also highlights potential downsides.

People with lower autistic traits pay more attention to images of animals than objects, while those with higher autistic traits do not. This suggests a link between our ability to quickly spot living creatures and our broader social skills.

A large-scale neuroimaging study found no evidence of atypical functional connectivity in the amygdala of individuals with autism, challenging previous hypotheses. Results suggest amygdala connectivity differences may not be a core feature of autism.

Adults with autism learn visual categories more slowly and struggle to generalize to new shapes. These differences stem from unique brain activity during feedback processing, highlighting distinct ways they process information and adapt to new situations.

Physically active children, including those with autism or ADHD, exhibit significantly lower rates of anxiety and depression compared to their inactive peers.

Ultrafast memory consolidation—brief moments of learning during breaks—works similarly in individuals with and without autism, showing that autistic traits do not disrupt rapid memory stabilization or learning processes.

A study published in PLOS Computational Biology provides evidence that autistic traits play a significant role in how individuals navigate learning environments.

Early screen time was initially linked to autism, but this connection disappeared when accounting for socioeconomic factors, suggesting screen time is not a cause of autism but may indicate families needing additional support.

Maladaptive daydreaming in neurodivergent individuals is linked to emotional struggles, internalized stigma, self-esteem, and escapism, with unique patterns in autism, ADHD, and combined diagnoses, highlighting its role as a coping mechanism for distress.

A groundbreaking study has used patient-derived stem cells to recreate a rare genetic form of autism in the lab.

Autistic adults have reduced synaptic density throughout the brain, strongly linked to social and communication challenges, offering new insights into the neurological basis of autism and potential pathways for targeted interventions.

A study found that eating fish during pregnancy was linked to a 20% lower risk of autism in children, especially in girls, while omega-3 supplements showed no similar benefits.

Children with autism, especially those with severe symptoms, show reduced attention to cute stimuli like baby-like animals and faces, highlighting an altered response to the "cuteness effect" linked to social difficulties.

Scientists have found that a process called neurotransmitter switching—where neurons alter their chemical signals—plays a role in the development of autism-related traits.