Autism Research Institute

08/03/2026

Catch up with the Transmitter's "round up" of autism science news from last week.

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 27 July.

08/02/2026

Medication management for autistic adults is complex and requires careful, individualized consideration. We’re glad to see this resource reaching more clinicians and others working to support autistic adults.

Thank you to the presenter, Robert Hendren, DO, and AMA Ed Hub for supporting medical professionals with this free, evidence-based information.

This presentation reviews evidence-based psychopharmacologic strategies for managing co-occurring psychiatric conditions in autistic adults to support informed medication selection and individualized treatment planning. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Autistic adults may require individualized,...

08/02/2026

Even mild inflammation during pregnancy led mouse offspring to develop persistent brain overactivity, sensory sensitivity, repetitive behaviors, and increased seizure risk. Remarkably, one dose of rapamycin improved nearly all of these problems within about two hours. The benefits were temporary, but they suggest that adult brain circuits may remain far more adaptable than previously believed.

Even mild inflammation during pregnancy led mouse offspring to develop persistent brain overactivity, sensory sensitivity, repetitive behaviors, and increased seizure risk. Remarkably, one dose of rapamycin improved nearly all of these problems within about two hours. The benefits were temporary, bu...

08/01/2026

The autism criteria in the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) lists sensory traits under the umbrella of restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs), but this categorization does not reflect how these traits and behaviors present in autistic children, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Sensory traits and restricted and repetitive behaviors comprise multiple characteristics that are interrelated in complex ways, the new work suggests.

07/31/2026

A large genetic analysis suggests that Phelan-McDermid syndrome may affect far more people than previously recognized.

A large genetic analysis suggests that Phelan-McDermid syndrome may affect far more people than previously recognized.

07/30/2026

The noise and chaos of flying can be overwhelming for people on the spectrum. Here are some ways to ease the stress and make the trip more enjoyable.

The noise and chaos of flying can be overwhelming for people on the spectrum. Here are some ways to ease the stress and make the trip more comfortable.

07/29/2026

📢 Missed today's webinar?
You can still watch the recording featuring Harland Winter, MD, as he discusses current research on gastrointestinal (GI) issues and autism.
Explore the latest findings, watch the webinar at your convenience, and complete the knowledge quiz to receive a FREE Certificate of Participation.
💻 Watch the playback and take the quiz:
https://autism.org/webinar/gi-research-updates-2026/

07/29/2026

A new mouse study led by UCLA Health suggests that inflammation during pregnancy can trigger autism-like changes in offspring, but those brain and behavioral effects may be rapidly, though temporarily, reversible in adulthood with a single dose of the immunosuppressive drug rapamycin.

A new mouse study led by UCLA Health suggests that inflammation during pregnancy can trigger autism-like changes in offspring, but those brain and behavioral effects may be rapidly, though temporarily, reversible in adulthood with a single dose of the immunosuppressive drug rapamycin.

07/28/2026

Tune in tomorrow for a free webinar on Gastrointestinal Issues and Autism. Register: https://autism.org/webinar/gi-research-updates-2026/

07/28/2026

A new study measured electrical activity across the entire scalp to more fully understand differences in face processing. The researchers found that signals associated with face processing were less distinct in autistic participants. Furthermore, in neurotypical children, signals associated with face processing become more refined with age—a trend they did not observe in autistic children.

“This is the first time we’ve leveraged the full volume of very rich information provided by an EEG recording to understand face perception and autism."

Brain activity associated with face processing is less distinct in the brains of autistic children, new research shows.