Autism Science Foundation Weekly Science Report
Science & Ideas
About
The week in autism research discoveries
Episodes
- Somebody’s got to do it….it should someone from the autism community.
This episode features an interview with Dr. Samuel Wang, an autism researcher and sibling, who is running for Congress in New Jersey. He discusses his reasons for running, what he hopes to achieve if elected, and his plans as a Congress me…
- Why is paramecetol safety so perplexing?
This episode discusses a study on acetaminophen, also known as paramecetol, and its potential link to autism when taken during pregnancy. The study, involving over 1.5 million pregnant women, found no causal link between acetaminophen use…
- The Mitochondria in a Minute
This episode explores the role of mitochondrial deficits in autism. Dr. Carisa Sirois discusses how mitochondria are involved in neurodevelopmental disorders, including various ways they affect cellular function and their link to oxidative…
- Updates from I-ACC, late prematurity and language development
The episode covers the Independent Autism Coordinating Committee (I-ACC) meeting, research on combining different autism features with prevalence numbers, and variations in language development among individuals with autism.
- Rare Disease Week, the FDA, mortality in autism, trajectories and subcategories
This episode discusses scientific research highlights, including Rare Disease Week, FDA actions on genetic therapies, autism mortality studies, genetic prediction of outcomes, and Uta Frith’s commentary on the autism spectrum concept.
- Health Care for Autistic Individuals During Transition Age
Dr. Emily Hotez discusses her research on health care for autistic individuals during transition age. She focuses on reducing stigma and improving health outcomes, including a project on chronic stress in adolescents with autism.
- Genetic pathways leading to autism
A landmark study using brain organoids investigates various genetic pathways contributing to autism, suggesting potential targets for treating diverse autism symptoms. Additionally, the new Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee has bee…
- Wildfires, air pollution, autism and the EPA response
This episode reviews new studies linking air pollution exposure during pregnancy to autism, noting that air pollution, particularly PM 2.5, has been tied to various health issues. It also examines the Environmental Protection Agency's poli…
- For this podcast, trans means transdiagnostic
This podcast episode explores the concept of "transdiagnostic" in relation to autism, explaining how autism shares characteristics with other neuropsychiatric disorders like ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. It highlig…
- The 2025 Year in Review
This episode reviews the scientific advancements in autism research during 2025, highlighting discoveries in autism subtypes, sex differences, precision medicine for genetic causes, and early intervention research.
- The Immune Taboo
This episode discusses the involvement of the immune system in autism, examining whether immune system dysregulation is a cause or consequence. It outlines different theories regarding the immune system's role in ASD and presents new studi…
- The different flavors of early intervention
This episode discusses different early intervention methods for toddlers with autism. Dr. Giacomo Vivanti presents findings from a study on several interventions, examining their effects on spoken language development and reinforcing the i…
- The importance of cognitive ability in autism traits, and how to measure it in those with IDD
This episode explores the role of cognitive ability in the developmental trajectories of autism traits and the difficulties in accurately measuring it in those with severe intellectual disabilities. Additionally, it examines evidence sugge…
- Can COVID cause autism?
A new study suggests a possible link between COVID and autism, consistent with research on maternal illness and autism. The episode also addresses the role of genetics in later autism diagnoses and the impact of cannabis exposure during pr…
- A lesson on leucovorin
This episode discusses leucovorin, a drug undergoing FDA approval. Experts review its safety, efficacy, and appropriateness in the context of autism.
- Have you heard the good news?
The National Institutes of Health has granted $50 million to 13 research institutions to investigate the genetic and environmental influences on autism diagnosis and prevalence, as well as factors that can enhance the quality of life for t…
- Happy Birthday Simons Searchlight!
Simons Searchlight, launched in 2010, is an international research program studying nearly 200 rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders. The program provides data to researchers, supports advocacy groups, identifies more autism-associated…
- Let’s Talk Tylenol
This episode discusses the association between acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and autism, as reported by the WSJ. It references past investigations into environmental exposures and autism, questioning whether acetaminophen, f…
- This one’s for the girls
Drs. Casey Burrows and Shuting Zheng discuss a recent paper on sex differences in autism features in toddlers. The study found differences in early autism markers between boys and girls, potentially explaining diagnostic disparities and in…
- Autism and diseases of the aging brain
This episode discusses the potential increased vulnerability of the aging autistic brain to disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. It covers recent scientific findings on underlying mechanisms, diagnostic difficulties, and…
- What labels should be used to describe autism?
This episode of the Autism Science Foundation Weekly Science Report reviews studies on classifying autism into subtypes using behavioral and biological data. The findings suggest that distinct labels are scientifically supported and can le…
- The Science of Autism BrainNet
Dr. David Amaral explains the Autism BrainNet, a program facilitating the collection and distribution of post-mortem brain tissue for autism research. He highlights discoveries made possible by this resource and the crucial role of donor f…
- Helping science tell a story
H. Adam Steinberg and Holly Kerby, founders of Storyform Science, explain how scientists can use storytelling to communicate their research findings effectively to a wider audience, including the public, policymakers, and grant funders. Th…
- Genetic therapies in store for neurodevelopmental disorders
This episode discusses the potential of gene therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders and autism. Scientists from Jaguar Gene Therapy share details on their studies in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, explaining the basics of gene therapy, its…
- What we learn from linking data
The NIH's Autism Data Science Initiative highlights the importance of linking diverse datasets to advance autism research. This approach, when done ethically, can yield significant insights into treatment, causes, identification, and perso…
- News from the International Society for Autism Research Meeting, 2025
The Autism Science Foundation Weekly Science Report summarizes presentations from the 2025 International Society of Autism Research Meeting, covering topics like autism causes, diagnosis, and interventions. It includes data from Michael Lo…
- Why science?
This episode discusses the nature of science, its methodologies, and its significance for families impacted by autism, addressing recent misunderstandings about scientific evidence.
- Microglia as a target for new interventions
New research supported by the Autism Science Foundation and Fraxain, featuring Drs. Marine Krzisch and Mike Tranfaglia, investigates targeting microglia cells in the brain for potential autism therapies. The research aims to support health…
- Let’s talk about catatonia
This episode discusses catatonia, a syndrome seen in 10% of individuals with autism that involves immobility and regression. Drs. Joshua Smith and Zachary Williams from Vanderbilt University share insights from longitudinal research on tre…
- Contextual Factors in Autism: What took us so long?
Dr. Marsha Mailick explains contextual factors, environmental influences affecting individuals with autism and their families. A global commentary emphasizes their importance and provides resources for data collection.
- Is folate an evidence-based treatment for autism?
The Autism Science Foundation podcast examines the potential of folate (leucovorin) as an autism treatment, emphasizing the need for further research. The episode also delves into the genetic factors contributing to the difference in autis…
- An Explanation of Some of the Recent Scientific Research Announcements
This episode of the Autism Science Foundation Weekly Science Report discusses recent government funding decisions for research and health services. It clarifies environmental factors linked to autism, explains the grant review process and…
- How IQ impacts the “will do” of skills: adaptive behaviors
Dr. Elaine Clarke explains the connection between cognitive ability and adaptive behaviors in autism, such as conversational skills or meal preparation. The discussion highlights the need for individualized strategies for clinicians and fa…
- Do Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Direct Current Stimulation help people with autism? The latest science here.
The episode discusses Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), non-invasive therapies aimed at altering brainwave activity for autism. Current evidence does not support their effectiveness…
- We missed one for the 2024 year end summary: Proof of the importance of genetic testing in autism
This episode highlights research on the importance of genetic testing in autism care. Studies from UCSD, UCLA, and CHLA examined how identifying rare genetic variants in families affected by autism influences medical care, parental underst…
- The 2024 Autism Science Year in Review
The 2024 Autism Science Year in Review highlights progress in autism research, focusing on personalized medicine and targeted interventions. Advances in technology and genetic testing are paving the way for new therapeutics and subgroup id…
- Online autism assessments as a perk of the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic spurred the creation and validation of remote autism assessments, allowing families to participate from home. These tools, initially developed for individuals with autism and rare genetic variants, are evolving for br…
- An update on why there are fewer autistic females compared to males
This episode of the Autism Science Foundation Weekly Science Report discusses new research on autism prevalence, particularly in females. It covers why females may be underdiagnosed despite increasing rates and genetic factors, and examine…
- Synaptic Density and Autism, explained
This episode reviews three lines of evidence regarding synaptic density and autism. It explains how decreased cell-to-cell communication in multiple brain regions of the autistic brain may lead to social communication impairments.
- Health Concerns Across 3 Generations
Researchers studied the likelihood of autism and comorbid conditions in relatives across three generations. They made their findings and an interactive data visualization tool publicly available.
- Stigma experienced around the world
This podcast episode discusses the societal stigma experienced by families with autism globally. It highlights how these experiences vary based on cultural factors, referencing literature from Asia, the Middle East, and the UK, and explore…
- The Importance of Model Systems
The ASF podcast discusses the value and criticism of using model systems, such as mice and cells, in autism research with Jill Silverman from UC Davis. Despite autism being a human condition, these models have historically aided in develop…
- Where is autism stigma the worst in the world?
This episode, part 1 of a series on cultural stigma, discusses the origins of autism stigma across cultures and provides country-specific examples, highlighting global differences in perceptions and needs.
- Factors That Influence Heterogeity and How
Researchers used computer modeling to categorize individuals with autism into two groups based on functioning: one that improves and one that struggles. These factors, while not autism-specific, influence biological and behavioral differen…
- Post-Pandemic Problems
This episode examines the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on autism, investigating potential increases in autism screen positives for mothers who fell ill during pregnancy and diagnostic disparities. It also discusses whether au…
- Catching up with CANDID
This episode discusses a new paper on diagnosing gastrointestinal issues in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly those with intellectual disability and who are non-speaking. It covers diagnostic challenges, symptom…
- Mysteries of the Microbiome
This episode explores the complexities of the microbiome, discussing its influence on overall health and examining whether it differs in individuals with autism. It covers the causes of these differences as part of a two-part series on dig…
- More about the environmental influences in autism
New research suggests environmental factors may influence autism through the GABA/glutamate switch, a developmental process. NIEHS is creating a database to track environmental exposures studied in relation to autism.
- Dealing with an ER visit
This episode discusses the difficulties autistic individuals encounter when seeking emergency medical care. It explores how healthcare providers and institutions can mitigate the stressors associated with the ER, which can be particularly…
- Profound Autism: The first meaningful autism subgroup
A study followed children with autism into adulthood to identify functional outcome levels, creating questions to differentiate individuals with Profound Autism. This approach aims to provide better support by understanding differences wit…