Autism spectrum disorder

Mental Health

One gene could explain why autism appears to affect boys more than girls

A study in the US points to a single gene that escapes the usual silencing of an X chromosome in women, potentially giving developing brains with an X chromosome double-feature a significant buffer against many autism-related changes.
Brain Health

Autism linked to early exposure to a common plastic additive

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is commonly added to plastics to make them more flexible. It may also affect genes that play a critical role in brain development, promoting symptoms of autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).