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Recent articles
Better tools needed to assess clinical trials
The past few years have seen an unprecedented number of clinical trials for experimental drugs to treat autism-related disorders, most notably for fragile X syndrome. But as the trials progress, scientists are calling for better methods to measure the drugs’ effectiveness.

Better tools needed to assess clinical trials
The past few years have seen an unprecedented number of clinical trials for experimental drugs to treat autism-related disorders, most notably for fragile X syndrome. But as the trials progress, scientists are calling for better methods to measure the drugs’ effectiveness.
Trials and tribulations
Clinical trials for fragile X drugs should include a behavioral therapy component, says a parent of a child with the disorder.

Trials and tribulations
Clinical trials for fragile X drugs should include a behavioral therapy component, says a parent of a child with the disorder.
Compensatory mechanisms
Identifying genetic and other factors that protect children at risk of autism from developing the disorder could provide new avenues for treatment.

Compensatory mechanisms
Identifying genetic and other factors that protect children at risk of autism from developing the disorder could provide new avenues for treatment.
Debate over quality of adult-derived stem cells rages on
As the use of induced pluripotent stem cells grows, researchers are searching for ways to make them behave more predictably.

Debate over quality of adult-derived stem cells rages on
As the use of induced pluripotent stem cells grows, researchers are searching for ways to make them behave more predictably.
Complex case
Multiple levels of complexity make it challenging to develop drugs to treat autism.

Complex case
Multiple levels of complexity make it challenging to develop drugs to treat autism.
Fast-forward
In the last three years, autism researchers have gone from sequencing single genes to whole exomes, as highlighted at the Translational Neuroscience Symposium in Switzerland last week.

Fast-forward
In the last three years, autism researchers have gone from sequencing single genes to whole exomes, as highlighted at the Translational Neuroscience Symposium in Switzerland last week.
Explore more from The Transmitter
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.
Astrocyte networks span large swaths of brain
The networks are plastic, connect brain regions that aren’t connected by neurons and may enable long-distance communication between astrocytes, a new preprint shows.
Astrocyte networks span large swaths of brain
The networks are plastic, connect brain regions that aren’t connected by neurons and may enable long-distance communication between astrocytes, a new preprint shows.