Broad Autism Phenotype
Recent articles
Studies hint at effects of aging on autistic brains
People with autism or autism traits may be especially vulnerable to brain aging and cognitive decline, two studies suggest.

Studies hint at effects of aging on autistic brains
People with autism or autism traits may be especially vulnerable to brain aging and cognitive decline, two studies suggest.
People with autism may smell songs or hear colors
One in five autistic people may have synesthesia, a crossing of the senses. Studying synesthesia in autism may deepen our understanding of both conditions.

People with autism may smell songs or hear colors
One in five autistic people may have synesthesia, a crossing of the senses. Studying synesthesia in autism may deepen our understanding of both conditions.
The link between parental age and autism, explained
Older men and women are more likely than young ones to have a child with autism, but this connection is not straightforward.

The link between parental age and autism, explained
Older men and women are more likely than young ones to have a child with autism, but this connection is not straightforward.
Siblings of autistic children may have distinct facial features
Siblings of autistic children, like those with the condition, tend to have faces that are more masculine than average.

Siblings of autistic children may have distinct facial features
Siblings of autistic children, like those with the condition, tend to have faces that are more masculine than average.
Book review: ‘The Rosie Result’ crafts foolish caricatures of autism
In the final installment of Graeme Simsion’s bestselling Rosie trilogy, the protagonist's implied autism becomes explicit — and leaves our reviewer cold.

Book review: ‘The Rosie Result’ crafts foolish caricatures of autism
In the final installment of Graeme Simsion’s bestselling Rosie trilogy, the protagonist's implied autism becomes explicit — and leaves our reviewer cold.
What the ‘broad spectrum’ can teach us about autism
The relatives of autistic people often have mild traits of the condition. Studying these family members could broaden our understanding of autism.

What the ‘broad spectrum’ can teach us about autism
The relatives of autistic people often have mild traits of the condition. Studying these family members could broaden our understanding of autism.
Siblings of children with autism have social, emotional problems
Even undiagnosed siblings of children with autism tend to struggle with anxiety, depression and social difficulties.

Siblings of children with autism have social, emotional problems
Even undiagnosed siblings of children with autism tend to struggle with anxiety, depression and social difficulties.
Heart rate may foretell autism features in infants
Babies with a family history of autism have heart rates that are unusually low and that respond aberrantly to speech sounds.

Heart rate may foretell autism features in infants
Babies with a family history of autism have heart rates that are unusually low and that respond aberrantly to speech sounds.
Fathering geeks; GWAS weaknesses; Prozac protection and more
Paternal age drives ‘geek index’ scores, GWAS may have a big weakness, serotonin boosts mouse social behaviors, and what is science Tinder?
Fathering geeks; GWAS weaknesses; Prozac protection and more
Paternal age drives ‘geek index’ scores, GWAS may have a big weakness, serotonin boosts mouse social behaviors, and what is science Tinder?
Parents’ traits predict autism features in children
Children whose parents have a condition such as autism tend to have severe restricted interests and repetitive behaviors, even if they don’t have a diagnosis themselves.

Parents’ traits predict autism features in children
Children whose parents have a condition such as autism tend to have severe restricted interests and repetitive behaviors, even if they don’t have a diagnosis themselves.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Emotion research has a communication conundrum
In 2025, the words we use to describe emotions matter, but their definitions are controversial. Here, I unpack the different positions in this space and the rationales behind them—and I invite 13 experts to chime in.

Emotion research has a communication conundrum
In 2025, the words we use to describe emotions matter, but their definitions are controversial. Here, I unpack the different positions in this space and the rationales behind them—and I invite 13 experts to chime in.
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.

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.
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.

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.