IMFAR 2015

Recent articles

Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Hyperactive fish point to new drug treatments for autism

A drug that mimics estrogen eases hyperactivity in zebrafish lacking the autism-linked gene CNTNAP2. The results highlight the potential of the tiny fish for screening autism treatments.

By Jessica Wright
29 January 2016 | 5 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Brain structure abnormalities predict repetitive behaviors

Among babies who go on to receive a diagnosis of autism at age 2, alterations in brain structures forecast the severity of repetitive behaviors. The preliminary results were presented Saturday at the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research in Salt Lake City, Utah.    

By Nicholette Zeliadt
19 May 2015 | 3 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

New approach powers up search for autism genes

A statistical trick can help researchers home in on subtle genetic blips that contribute to autism, according to unpublished results presented Saturday at the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research in Salt Lake City, Utah.

By Jessica Wright
19 May 2015 | 2 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Takeaways from IMFAR 2015

Scientists and the autism community come together for the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research in Salt Lake City, Utah.

By Greg Boustead
18 May 2015 | 6 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Brain structure abnormalities in autism vary by gender

A region of the brain involved in recognizing faces appears to be thinner than usual in women with autism and thicker than usual in men with the disorder. The preliminary results were presented yesterday at the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

By Nicholette Zeliadt
16 May 2015 | 3 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Primary care doctors unprepared to help adults with autism

Healthcare providers in the U.S. are ill equipped to care for the growing number of adults with autism, according to unpublished results presented yesterday at the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research in Salt Lake City, Utah.

By Jessica Wright
16 May 2015 | 3 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Dispatches from IMFAR 2015

These short reports from our journalists give you the inside scoop on developments at the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research.

Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Device predicts future word use in toddlers with autism

An automated analysis of the speech-like sounds from 3-year-olds with autism predicts their word use four months later, according to unpublished research presented yesterday at the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research in Salt Lake City, Utah.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
15 May 2015 | 3 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Rare regressive disorder is not autism, new findings suggest

Children who are diagnosed with autism after drastically and suddenly losing cognitive abilities may actually have a distinct disorder, according to data presented yesterday at the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research in Salt Lake City, Utah.

By Jessica Wright
15 May 2015 | 3 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Lopsided brain activity marks motor deficits in autism

Uneven wiring in the brain’s motor circuitry predicts movement difficulties in children with autism, according to unpublished research presented yesterday at the 2015 International Meeting for Autism Research in Salt Lake City, Utah.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
15 May 2015 | 3 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Abstract illustration of a human brain.

‘Elusive Cures: Why Neuroscience Hasn’t Solved Brain Disorders—and How We Can Change That,’ an excerpt

In her new book, published today, neuroscientist Nicole Rust takes us on her personal quest to spell out the brain research community's "Grand Plan."

By Nicole Rust
10 June 2025 | 9 min read
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.

Convergent effects of autism-linked genes in zebrafish; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 9 June.

By Jill Adams
10 June 2025 | 2 min read
Research image containing repeated structures, suggesting potential image manipulation.

More than two dozen papers by neural tube researcher come under scrutiny

One of the studies, published in 2021 in Science Advances, received an editorial expression of concern on 21 May, after the journal learned that an institutional review of alleged image problems is underway.

By Claudia López Lloreda
9 June 2025 | 6 min read