Autism in the brain, region by region
Recent articles
Brain structure changes in autism, explained
Autistic people have distinct patterns of brain development, which sometimes result in differences in brain structure. Here's what we know about those differences.

Brain structure changes in autism, explained
Autistic people have distinct patterns of brain development, which sometimes result in differences in brain structure. Here's what we know about those differences.
Brain’s center of automatic body functions has autism links
The brainstem controls such disparate functions as breathing, sensation and sleep — all of which can be altered in autism.

Brain’s center of automatic body functions has autism links
The brainstem controls such disparate functions as breathing, sensation and sleep — all of which can be altered in autism.
Amygdala, the brain’s threat detector, has broad roles in autism
The amygdala has long been a focus of autism research. But its exact role in the condition has been unclear.

Amygdala, the brain’s threat detector, has broad roles in autism
The amygdala has long been a focus of autism research. But its exact role in the condition has been unclear.
How the cerebellum is linked to autism
In this video, professors Sam Wang and Peter Tsai explain the role of the ‘little brain’ in cognition, social skills, emotion control and repetitive behaviors.
How the cerebellum is linked to autism
In this video, professors Sam Wang and Peter Tsai explain the role of the ‘little brain’ in cognition, social skills, emotion control and repetitive behaviors.
Brain’s motor hub plays unsung role in social skills, cognition
Long known as the director of movement, the cerebellum may also coordinate social and cognitive abilities, including those central to autism.

Brain’s motor hub plays unsung role in social skills, cognition
Long known as the director of movement, the cerebellum may also coordinate social and cognitive abilities, including those central to autism.
Striatum, the brain’s reward hub, may drive core autism traits
Associated primarily with its role in movement, the striatum may also influence the social difficulties of autistic people.

Striatum, the brain’s reward hub, may drive core autism traits
Associated primarily with its role in movement, the striatum may also influence the social difficulties of autistic people.
Brain’s prefrontal cortex conducts symphony of social players
A brain region that orchestrates responses to social cues and aids decision-making may be off tempo in autism.
Brain’s prefrontal cortex conducts symphony of social players
A brain region that orchestrates responses to social cues and aids decision-making may be off tempo in autism.
Brain’s bridge could yield clues to faulty wiring in autism
Decoding distortions in the brain’s largest nerve tract could lay bare basic problems with long-range neural connections in autism.
Brain’s bridge could yield clues to faulty wiring in autism
Decoding distortions in the brain’s largest nerve tract could lay bare basic problems with long-range neural connections in autism.
Memory hub could underlie social, cognitive quirks of autism
The brain's memory center, the hippocampus, may provide clues to features of autism as disparate as personal relationships and decision-making.
Memory hub could underlie social, cognitive quirks of autism
The brain's memory center, the hippocampus, may provide clues to features of autism as disparate as personal relationships and decision-making.
Brain’s social ‘river’ carries clues about autism
Researchers are homing in on the superior temporal sulcus, a groove in the brain that collects social information, as a key player in autism.
Brain’s social ‘river’ carries clues about autism
Researchers are homing in on the superior temporal sulcus, a groove in the brain that collects social information, as a key player in autism.
Explore more from The Transmitter
International scientific collaboration is more necessary—yet more challenging—than ever
These partnerships accelerate neuroscience by enabling researchers to share resources and expertise, as well as generate more relevant and reproducible results. But new federal funding restrictions in the United States are putting such collaborations in jeopardy.

International scientific collaboration is more necessary—yet more challenging—than ever
These partnerships accelerate neuroscience by enabling researchers to share resources and expertise, as well as generate more relevant and reproducible results. But new federal funding restrictions in the United States are putting such collaborations in jeopardy.
Oxytocin shapes both mouse mom and pup behavior
Distressed pups emit distinct cries for help, which depend on oxytocin neurons in their hypothalamus.

Oxytocin shapes both mouse mom and pup behavior
Distressed pups emit distinct cries for help, which depend on oxytocin neurons in their hypothalamus.
Sensory gatekeeper drives seizures, autism-like behaviors in mouse model
The new work, in mice missing the autism-linked gene CNTNAP2, suggests a mechanism to help explain the overlap between epilepsy and autism.

Sensory gatekeeper drives seizures, autism-like behaviors in mouse model
The new work, in mice missing the autism-linked gene CNTNAP2, suggests a mechanism to help explain the overlap between epilepsy and autism.