- Using a personalized-medicine approach in autism clinical trials—defining criteria for who, how, when and where to participate, for example—may improve results, write two autism researchers in a commentary. The authors highlight a recent study of the hormone vasopressin in rhesus monkeys, which Spectrum covered, that they argue could propel personalized approaches. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Integrating multiple imaging modalities can bring about a richer understanding of complex neural correlates to cognitive functioning in autistic and non-autistic people. Nature Mental Health
- Astroglia-enriched organoids have increased neurexin-neuroligin signaling and are better suited to the study of neuroligin variation, which is sometimes observed in people with autism. Cell Regeneration
Personalized medicine; astroglia organoids; fast track for fragile X drug
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 20 January.
By
Jill Adams
21 January 2025 | 2 min read

Boosting diversity: Brain organoids enriched with the protein BMP4 (right panels) have greater astroglia formation (green stain) than do organoids lacking that protein (left panels).
- A machine-learning algorithm applied to the large SPARK dataset has teased out predictors of delayed autism diagnoses. (SPARK is funded by the Simons Foundation, The Transmitter’s parent organization.) JAMA Pediatrics
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted fast-track status to SP601, a novel therapeutic compound for fragile X syndrome developed by the company Spinogenix. PR Newswire
- Social motivation in autistic children predicts internalizing behaviors related to anxiety and depression, and the link is much stronger in girls than in boys. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
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