ASHG 2017

Recent articles

Boy staring at fidget spinner

Risk genes for autism overlap with those for attention deficit

People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may carry certain rare, harmful mutations in many of the same genes as people with autism.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
25 November 2019 | 4 min read
Modifier genes may enhance or diminish the effects of a mutation linked to autism.

Second ‘hits’ may explain autism mutations’ varied effects

People who have a mutation linked to autism plus a second genetic glitch tend to have more severe symptoms than those with the mutation alone.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
5 October 2018 | 3 min read

Yeast assay illuminates effects of mutations in top autism gene

Mutations in the gene PTEN that are tied to autism may be less harmful than those linked to a syndrome characterized by benign tumors.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
1 June 2018 | 3 min read
Medical practitioner marking blood sample.

Mosaic mutations in sperm point to increased autism risk

More than 5 percent of mutations thought to have arisen spontaneously in a child with autism may in fact be inherited.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
23 October 2017 | 4 min read
Mother and daughter practicing writing.

Rare autism mutations linked to low intelligence

People with autism who have rare, damaging mutations tend to have low scores on intelligence tests.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
20 October 2017 | 3 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

‘Digital humans’ in a virtual world

By combining large language models with modular cognitive control architecture, Robert Yang and his collaborators have built agents that are capable of grounded reasoning at a linguistic level. Striking collective behaviors have emerged.

By Kevin Mitchell
10 February 2025 | 51 min watch
Research image of brain glucose levels in mice.

Food for thought: Neuronal fuel source more flexible than previously recognized

The cells primarily rely on glucose—rather than lactate from astrocytes—to generate energy, according to recent findings in mice.

By Giorgia Guglielmi
7 February 2025 | 6 min read
Abstract illustration of overlapping lines.

Claims of necessity and sufficiency are not well suited for the study of complex systems

The earliest studies on necessary and sufficient neural populations were performed on simple invertebrate circuits. Does this logic still serve us as we tackle more sophisticated outputs?

By Grace Lindsay
7 February 2025 | 6 min read