Fusiform gyrus
Brain’s response to faces foretells social development in autistic people
A delayed brain response to viewing faces may predict lags in social-skill development in autistic people.
![Woman talks to child in EEG cap](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/N170FaceSensitive-844.jpg)
Brain’s response to faces foretells social development in autistic people
A delayed brain response to viewing faces may predict lags in social-skill development in autistic people.
Amygdala-linked brain areas grow differently in autism
The growth differences vary between autistic boys and girls and are most apparent among children with prominent social difficulties.
![A cross-section of the human brain and limbic system](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Amygdala-Connected-brain-autism-844.jpg)
Amygdala-linked brain areas grow differently in autism
The growth differences vary between autistic boys and girls and are most apparent among children with prominent social difficulties.
Inflammation may reshape brain regions tied to autism
Having a genetic predisposition to inflammation is linked to structural changes in brain regions implicated in neurodevelopmental conditions.
![Color-coded brain images showing reduced thickness of superior frontal gyrus and other regions associated with presence of increased levels of inflammatory moleucle IL-6.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Schizophrenia-brain-structure-autism-844.jpg)
Inflammation may reshape brain regions tied to autism
Having a genetic predisposition to inflammation is linked to structural changes in brain regions implicated in neurodevelopmental conditions.
In autism, food quirks show up in social brain areas
Young adults with autism who have intense sensitivity to taste show increased activation in social areas of the brain when they taste something sweet.
![child sticking tongue out and making a face while holding chopsticks](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171115-Taste844.jpg)
In autism, food quirks show up in social brain areas
Young adults with autism who have intense sensitivity to taste show increased activation in social areas of the brain when they taste something sweet.
Face processing may improve over time in children with autism
The activity of the brain's face detector, the fusiform gyrus, in response to faces is greater in adolescents with autism than it is in younger children with the condition.
![woman looking behind her with fearful expression](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/FFA844.jpg)
Face processing may improve over time in children with autism
The activity of the brain's face detector, the fusiform gyrus, in response to faces is greater in adolescents with autism than it is in younger children with the condition.
Banking on brains for clues to autism
New initiatives aim to increase brain donations for autism research and maximize what scientists can learn from these precious specimens.
![Brain bank slice of brain in lab](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171101-BrainBankslice844-1.jpg)
Banking on brains for clues to autism
New initiatives aim to increase brain donations for autism research and maximize what scientists can learn from these precious specimens.
Face learning; mosaic inheritance; nosy scientists and more
A monkey study suggests facial recognition is not innate, a puzzle piece symbol carries negative connotations, and scientists are using a federal law to snoop on colleagues.
Face learning; mosaic inheritance; nosy scientists and more
A monkey study suggests facial recognition is not innate, a puzzle piece symbol carries negative connotations, and scientists are using a federal law to snoop on colleagues.
Brain scans sniff out root of unusual sense of smell in autism
People with autism who are acutely sensitive to smells have unusually weak connections between a brain region that processes social stimuli and one that integrates sensory information.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/FoodSentivity844.jpg)
Brain scans sniff out root of unusual sense of smell in autism
People with autism who are acutely sensitive to smells have unusually weak connections between a brain region that processes social stimuli and one that integrates sensory information.
Brain signature characterizes boys with autism
Activity in the social brain circuit can distinguish a boy who has autism from a typically developing boy with 76 percent accuracy.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20160524-BrainBiomarker-844.jpg)
Brain signature characterizes boys with autism
Activity in the social brain circuit can distinguish a boy who has autism from a typically developing boy with 76 percent accuracy.
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
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.