IMFAR 2017

Recent articles

Spiral DNA against a dark background

Patterns of DNA tags mark candidate genes for autism

Children with autism who carry mutations in the chromosomal region 16p11.2 or the gene CHD8 — two of the leading risk factors for autism — show distinct patterns of chemical tags on their DNA.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
15 August 2019 | 3 min read

Having smart father raises child’s risk of autism

Children whose fathers are highly intelligent are at a higher risk of autism than those whose fathers are of average intelligence.

By Hannah Furfaro
9 May 2019 | 3 min read

Long-term study shows language’s role in easing autism features

Difficulties with social communication appear to wane as toddlers with autism mature into young adults, perhaps due in large part to improvements in language ability.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
31 August 2018 | 3 min read
child with brain scan test

Top autism gene may alter sensory perception

An unusual brain response to sound may distinguish children with mutations in SCN2A, a leading candidate gene for autism.

By Jessica Wright
16 April 2018 | 5 min read
rat behind bars

Rats with autism mutation turn deaf ear to playful entreaties

Male rats missing an autism candidate gene called SHANK3 spend less time sniffing, nuzzling and chasing their peers than controls do.

By Jessica Wright
20 February 2018 | 4 min read
Grid of 8 portraits of children with characteristic facial features

Small head, speech delay characterize mutations in autism gene

Children with mutations in a gene called DYRK1A, a leading autism candidate, have a distinct set of features, including intellectual disability, speech delay, motor problems and a small head.

By Jessica Wright
16 October 2017 | 4 min read

Common variants, rare mutations combine to shape autism risk

Children with autism inherit a greater burden of common genetic variants associated with autism than would be expected by chance. These variants combine with rare, spontaneous mutations to boost autism risk.

By Katie Moisse
15 May 2017 | 4 min read

Persistent motor problems may flag autism in ‘baby sibs’

Infant siblings of children with autism who also have the condition show motor problems into their second year.

By Hannah Furfaro
14 May 2017 | 3 min read

Altered circuit may underlie repetitive behaviors in autism

A brain circuit that controls movement is altered in people with autism, a postmortem brain study suggests.

By Katie Moisse
13 May 2017 | 3 min read

Adolescence unmasks autism traits in girls

Autism traits may become more apparent as girls reach adolescence but stay stable in boys.

By Jessica Wright
13 May 2017 | 3 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Autism-linked copy number variants always boost autism likelihood

By contrast, varied doses of the same genes decrease or increase the odds of five other conditions, with distinct biological consequences, two new preprints show.

By Natalia Mesa
4 September 2025 | 6 min read

Everything everywhere all at once: Decision-making signals engage entire brain

The findings, gleaned from the most comprehensive map yet of brain activity during decision-making in mice, show that the process is even more distributed than previously thought.

By Claudia López Lloreda
3 September 2025 | 5 min read

Astrocyte networks span large swaths of brain

The networks are plastic, connect brain regions that aren’t connected by neurons and may enable long-distance communication between astrocytes, a new preprint shows.

By Calli McMurray
3 September 2025 | 5 min listen

privacy consent banner

Privacy Preference

We use cookies to provide you with the best online experience. By clicking “Accept All,” you help us understand how our site is used and enhance its performance. You can change your choice at any time. To learn more, please visit our Privacy Policy.