1. Alford C, Wallis A, Hay P, Mitchison D. Understanding the child and adolescent eating disorder treatment experiences of autistic people and parents. J Eat Disord;2025 (Jul 6);13(1):128.

We know very little about the eating disorder treatment experiences of autistic young people under the age of eighteen. This study therefore sought to understand the child and adolescent eating disorder treatment experiences of autistic people and parents of autistic people through semi-structured interviews. Being misunderstood across different aspects of eating disorders care was a common experience resulting in a range of detrimental consequences. We found that there are some key treatment principles that promote safety and understanding for autistic young people and their families, and only on the basis of this safety and understanding can eating disorders treatment be effective and facilitate change. eng

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2. Anding A, Ren B, Padmashri R, Burkovetskaya M, Dunaevsky A. Activity of Human-Specific Interlaminar Astrocytes in a Chimeric Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci;2025 (Jul 6);26(13)

Astrocytes, a subtype of glial cells, have multiple roles in regulating neuronal development and homeostasis. In addition to the typical mammalian astrocytes, in the primate cortex, interlaminar astrocytes are located in the superficial layer and project long processes traversing multiple layers of the cerebral cortex. Previously, we described a human stem cell based chimeric mouse model where interlaminar astrocytes develop. Here, we utilized this model to study the calcium signaling properties of interlaminar astrocytes. To determine how interlaminar astrocytes could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders, we generated a chimeric mouse model for Fragile X syndrome (FXS). We report that FXS interlaminar astrocytes exhibit hyperexcitable calcium signaling and are associated with dendritic spines with increased turnover rate.

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3. Boller AL, Ruland T, Dantas RL, Michels S, Dannlowski U, Scheu S, Baune BT, Culmsee C, Alferink J. The role of the risk gene CACNA1C in neuroinflammation and peripheral immunity in autism spectrum disorder. Brain Behav Immun;2025 (Jul 6)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests, with the severity of symptoms varying greatly among individuals. The pathogenesis of ASD is influenced by the complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Increasing evidence suggests that dysregulated immune processes represent a crucial aspect in ASD pathology. The CACNA1C gene, which encodes the pore-forming α1C subunit of the L-type calcium channel (LTCC) Ca(V)1.2, is a major genetic risk factor for ASD. Ca(V)1.2 channels modulate neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, and neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system (CNS), all of which are essential for brain development and function. Ca(V)1.2 channels are also expressed in generally non-excitable immune cells, including CNS microglia and peripheral immune cells, where they influence activation, differentiation, and cytokine release. These immune functions may contribute to ASD pathogenesis; however, the specific role of Ca(V)1.2 in immune regulation and neuroinflammation in ASD is yet to be elucidated. Here, we will review recent research on the role of CACNA1C in immune mechanisms relevant to ASD. We will summarize current knowledge on the function of Ca(V)1.2 in brain microglia and peripheral immune cells such as T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells that contribute to immune dysfunction in ASD. In addition, we will discuss the therapeutic prospects of targeting Ca(V)1.2 channels in immune cells to manage both behavioral and inflammatory conditions associated with ASD.

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4. Gonzalez B, Bartels K, Talyn B. Scoping review of the relationship between glyphosate-based herbicide exposures and autism spectrum disorder. Food Chem Toxicol;2025 (Jul 4);204:115621.

Glyphosate is an active ingredient in the plethora of glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) products available, such as Roundup, and is the most commonly used pesticide worldwide. Studies recognize that genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, with a notable correlation between the increased use of glyphosate and reported ASD cases. ASD is a neurological disorder characterized by social impairments, anxiety, repetitive behavior, etc. Animal models simulating ASD – like behavior exhibited changes in behavior, such as increased repetitive behavior and social deficits, after prenatal glyphosate/GBH exposure. Furthermore, geographic and human surveys identified correlations between glyphosate/GBH exposure and development of ASD in children. Taken together, results demonstrate a strong relationship between the deleterious effects of glyphosate/GBH exposure and ASD development in children. Even if the individual contribution of GBH exposure represents only one of many environmental risk factors, ubiquitous exposure to GBH in public spaces, through occupational exposure, and as food residue contribute to its importance. Additional research is needed to distinguish glyphosate’s impact during prenatal and postnatal exposure, test differences between pure glyphosate and various GBH formulations, and further elucidate the relationship between exposure and ASD development in humans.

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5. Miller S, Holyfield C, Griffen B, Lorah E, Caldwell NS, Caron J. Effect of AAC intervention on communication within social routines from preschool-age emerging symbolic communicators with developmental disabilities. Augment Altern Commun;2025 (Jul 5):1-14.

Preschool-age children learn, build social connections, and develop language through social interactions. Preschool-age emerging symbolic communicators with developmental disabilities require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) intervention to communicate linguistically (i.e., using language) in social interactions. The current study evaluated the effect of an AAC intervention including high-tech color photo visual scene displays (VSDs) and least-to-most prompting on linguistic communication in social routines within song singing activities from six preschoolers who were emerging symbolic communicators and had developmental disabilities, including autism. The study used a multiple baseline across participants single-subject research design. All six participants demonstrated increased linguistic communication in the social routines as the result of the AAC intervention, though variability in communication was observed across and within participants. Furthermore, increases in communication within the routines largely maintained after prompting was removed in the maintenance phase. Increases also largely generalized to linguistic communication using a high-tech grid display featuring the same color photos from the VSDs as representation. More research is needed, but the current intervention is a promising approach to supporting emerging symbolic communicators in communicating linguistically in social routines.

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