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Spectrum is the go-to destination for the latest news and analysis about autism research and a springboard for scientists and clinicians to forge collaborations that deepen our understanding of autism.

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Everyone who has studied sex differences in rodents is going to drop their jaws. — BERNARD MULVEY, POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW, LIEBER INSTITUTE FOR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

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“Weaponizing uncertainty in science and in public health puts people in harm’s way”
By EDITORIAL IN NATURE
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Stay current with the latest advancements in autism research.

Richard Frye.
Spectrum

Exclusive: Who is Richard Frye, the neurologist who researches and advocates for leucovorin as an autism treatment?

Frye has led two placebo-controlled trials of the folate supplement in autistic people; the first was suspended by regulators, and the other has yet to be published.

By Brendan Borrell
1 October 2025 | 11 min read
Amina Abubakar, dressed in yellow, stands outside and looks into the camera lens.
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Amina Abubakar translates autism research and care for Kenya

First an educator and now an internationally recognized researcher, the Kenyan psychologist is changing autism science and services in sub-Saharan Africa.

By Ruth Kadide Keah
29 May 2025 | 8 min listen
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Microglia from neonatal mice.

Functional connectivity links with autism, not ADHD; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 3 November.

By Jill Adams
4 November 2025 | 2 min read
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.

New method identifies two-hit genetic variation in autism; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 27 October.

By Jill Adams
28 October 2025 | 2 min read
Research image of human neurons transplanted into mouse cortices.

Protein tug-of-war controls pace of synaptic development, sets human brains apart

Human-specific duplicates of SRGAP2 prolong cortical development by manipulating SYNGAP, an autism-linked protein that slows synaptic growth.

By Holly Barker
23 October 2025 | 9 min listen
Illustration of a circuit made of sperm-like lines.

Gene variants accumulate in older men’s sperm; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 20 October.

By Jill Adams
21 October 2025 | 2 min read
Developing human fetus.

Gene-activity map of developing brain reveals new clues about autism’s sex bias

Boys and girls may be vulnerable to different genetic changes, which could help explain why the condition is more common in boys despite linked variants appearing more often in girls.

By Giorgia Guglielmi
16 October 2025 | 6 min listen

Explore more from The Transmitter

Colorful drawing of a human brain.

‘Neuroethics: The Implications of Mapping and Changing the Brain,’ an excerpt

In his new book, published today, philosopher Walter Glannon examines the ethics of six areas of neuroscience. In Chapter 4, a portion of which appears below, he tackles the ethical considerations of using brain organoids in research.

By Walter Glannon
11 November 2025 | 7 min read
A monkey brain slice.

Without monkeys, neuroscience has no future

Research in primate brains has been essential for the development of brain-computer interfaces and artificial neural networks. New funding and policy changes put the future of such advances at risk.

By Cory Miller, J. Anthony Movshon, Doris Tsao
10 November 2025 | 5 min read
Colored outlines form the silhouette of a human brain in profile.

‘How to Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist’s Quest to Alter the Past,’ an excerpt

Part scientific exploration, part memoir, Steve Ramirez’s new book delves into the study of memory manipulation and his personal journey of discovery, friendship and grief.

By Steve Ramirez
7 November 2025 | 9 min read

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