autism

March 28, 2025 12:13 PM

Study finds repetitive behaviors and special interests more indicative of autism than social deficits

Autism diagnosis is typically based on clinical observation and assessment, a process that can be complex and subjective. To refine this approach, researchers leveraged a large language model (LLM) to determine which behaviours and observations are most strongly associated with an autism diagnosis. Their results show that repetitive behaviours, special interests, and perception-based behaviors are most strongly associated with an autism diagnosis. These findings have the potential to improve di...

January 14, 2025 9:30 PM

Why are autism rates rising?

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental condition marked by disruptions in brain-signaling that cause people to behave, communicate, interact, and learn in atypical ways. Autism diagnoses in the United States have increased significantly since 2000, intensifying public concern over what might contribute to its prevalence. Here is what you need to know. HOW IS AUTISM DIAGNOSED? There are no objective tools for diagnosing autism such as blood tests or brain scans. Instead, ...

January 9, 2025 4:29 PM

Indian-origin researcher identifies gene linked to autism and seizures

A team of researchers, led by Indian-origin neuroscientist and researcher Viji Santhakumar, has identified a gene that contributes to the behavioural changes associated with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy. The gene, called neuropilin2, encodes a receptor involved in cell-cell interactions in the brain and plays a crucial role in regulating the development of neural circuits. The study, published in Nature Molecular Psychiatry, provides a pathway for future treatments aimed at alleviatin...