1. Bajaj S, Gandhi S, Geetha TS, Venkata M, Chitre A, Sagi N, Agrawal N, Shah S, Deo R, Pai S, Jacob KS, Murugan S, Menon R, Gupta R, Athota JP, Mali V, Phani NM, Sengupta K, Mehta P, Udani V, Bassi A, Charugulla S, Gadgil P, Vedam R, Hegde AU. Prospective study to analyze the yield and clinical impact of trio exome sequencing in 137 Indian children with autism spectrum disorder. J Hum Genet. 2025.

We aimed to study the diagnostic yield and clinical impact of trio exome sequencing (tES) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants (n = 137) between 2 and 18 years with syndromic and non-syndromic ASD underwent tES, after excluding karyotype-detectable cytogenetic abnormalities and fragile X syndrome. The diagnostic yield was 22/137 (16.1%) when considering only pathogenic (P) and likely-pathogenic (LP) variants in known disease-causing genes. We reported 23 significant (P, LP) variants in 22 individuals, with one participant (AGS041) harbouring a dual genetic diagnosis. Nearly half of these (12/23, 52.2%) were novel, while 21/23 (91.3%) occurred de novo. 20/23 (86.9%) of the variants were single nucleotide variants, while 3/23 (13.1%) were copy number variants. The diagnostic yield in syndromic ASD (14/40, 35%) was significantly higher than the non-syndromic group (8/97, 8.2%, p = 0.000258). Variants of uncertain significance in two participants were considered to be likely causative for the phenotype, given the strong clinical correlation (likely-causative variant of uncertain significance, LcVUS). On considering these two participants and an additional 28 participants with significant variants in autism candidate genes (vACG), the net diagnostic yield increased to 37.9%. The clinical benefits among those receiving a definite genetic diagnosis (P/LP variants only) included better prognostication (100%), availing reproductive counselling (100%), disease-specific surveillance (86.4%), and therapeutic implications (27.3%). Thus, in conclusion, in our cohort of 137 children with ASD, tES provided a definite genetic diagnosis in 16.1% of the participants, the yield being higher in syndromic ASD. A confirmed genetic diagnosis aided in holistic clinical care, extending beyond reproductive counselling.

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2. Chen Y, Zhang Y, Wu B, Cheng Y, Huang J, Wang C, Bai J, Zhang Y. Exploring the causal relationship between bipolar disorders and sensory, motor, and behavioral disorders: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025; 104(34): e44056.

The interrelationships between bipolar disorder (BD) and sensory, motor, and behavioral disorders are intricate and not well defined. While observational studies indicate potential associations, causal relationships have not been established. This study applies bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to examine potential causal links between BD and these disorders. Bidirectional MR analysis uses summary-level data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Genetic instruments are selected according to stringent significance thresholds and linkage disequilibrium (LD) criteria. The primary analytical approaches include inverse-variance weighted (IVW) MR and MR-Egger regression. Instrument strength is assessed using F-statistics. Significant bidirectional associations are identified. BD is associated with increased genetic susceptibility to pruritus (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.06-1.57), small fiber neuropathy (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.03-2.61), hyperkinetic disorders (OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.26-3.23), anorexia nervosa (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.01-1.40), and autism spectrum disorder (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.20). Conversely, pruritus and psoriasis are identified as significant genetic risk factors for BD (pruritus: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.08; psoriasis: OR = 9.97, 95% CI: 1.85-53.67). Motor disorders are associated with a protective effect against BD (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80-0.96). This study demonstrates significant bidirectional causal associations between BD and sensory, motor, and behavioral disorders, underscoring the importance of early screening and integrated clinical management. Shared genetic and neurobiological mechanisms may inform the development of targeted interventions and therapeutic strategies.

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3. Chen YT, Wong LC, Tsai SM, Chen PR, Shen HY, Tsai WC, Lee WT. The associated factors of nutritional issues and body composition in Rett syndrome. J Formos Med Assoc. 2025.

Individuals with Rett syndrome (RTT), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder, often face significant nutritional challenges. We explored factors affecting nutritional status and body composition in RTT individuals using dietary assessments and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). This study involved 40 participants and found that underweight individuals with severe growth deficits often had reduced body fat, visceral fat, and arm circumference. Protein and zinc intake percentages were significantly lower in those with higher severity scores. Adolescents with the highest growth deficit and underweight ratios had caloric, protein, and calcium intakes below the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). Over 88 % of adults had insufficient calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and fiber intake. Among the 15 females with RTT, sarcopenia was present in 14 (93.3 %), while sarcopenic obesity was present in 4 (26.67 %). Therefore, comprehensive dietary and body composition assessments, including body mass index, body fat, skeletal muscle, and mid-upper arm circumference, are crucial for identifying nutritional disorders in RTT. Addressing these issues through appropriate interventions is essential for improving nutritional management and outcomes for individuals with RTT.

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4. Chen Z, Wang X, Hu Y, Zhang S, Han F. Effect of maternal diet on gut bacteria and autism spectrum disorder in offspring. Front Cell Neurosci. 2025; 19: 1623576.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests in early childhood, with its specific causes and pathogenesis remaining incompletely understood. The gut bacteria plays a pivotal role in host health and neurodevelopment. Maternal eating disorders may disrupt maternal gut bacteria and subsequently influence fetal and neonatal gut bacteria through the gut-placental axis and breastfeeding. This disruption can ultimately impact the microbial-gut-brain axis, the immune system, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and metabolite abnormalities, thereby increasing the risk of ASD in offspring. This paper reviews the adverse effects of bad maternal dietary habits, including high-sugar, high-salt, high-fat diets, alcohol consumption, dietary fiber deficiency, and the intake of ultra-processed foods, on the gut bacteria. It also explores the mechanisms by which gut microbiota disorder may induce ASD through the immune system, neurotransmitters, and metabolites. Additionally, the article proposes potential strategies to prevent ASD by adjusting dietary structures and enhancing gut bacteria health.

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5. Feng T, Sun B, Yang Y, Wei Z, Zhao S. Unusual Gaze Direction Detection in Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

Detecting another person’s gaze direction is essential for social interaction, as it reveals their attention, emotions, and intentions. Although nonverbal behavioral recognition anomalies are a defining feature of early development in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), research on their sensitivity to detecting others’ gaze directions remains inconclusive. Furthermore, the correlation between this sensitivity and autism-related traits is not clear enough. This study employed a computerized gaze direction adaptation task presenting direct gaze (0°) and different angles of avoidance gaze (4°, 8°, 12°) to children in a simulated social context. Participants included 44 children. The results found that when presented with photographs of faces at 0° and a subtle averted gaze at 4°, no significant differences in accuracy or reaction times were observed between children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children. However, when the angle of gaze avoidance was 8° and 12°, children with ASD demonstrated lower accuracy in discerning the direction of another person’s gaze compared to TD children, although their response time remained unaffected. Additionally, at a gaze angle of 12°, a negative correlation emerged between gaze-direction accuracy and autism-related trait severity in the ASD group. These findings suggest that children with ASD exhibit heightened sensitivity to gaze and are more likely to confuse direct and averted gaze than children with TD. This study addresses a gap in previous research and provides more detailed insights into how gaze perception contributes to impaired social interactions in ASD.

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6. Fietz J, Auer G, Plener P, Poustka L, Konicar L. Empathy and event related potentials before and after EEG based neurofeedback training in autistic adolescents. Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1): 30824.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often characterized by deficits in emotion regulation and empathic abilities, potentially linked to alterations in prefrontal brain regions. This randomized, controlled clinical trial examines the efficacy of slow cortical potential neurofeedback training, specifically targeting these prefrontal areas, in improving emotion regulation and empathy among children and adolescents with ASD. The study involved 41 participants, with 21 undergoing slow cortical potential training and 20 receiving treatment as usual. All participants were allowed to continue usual care in progress, if it was kept stable. Emotional processing was evaluated using an adapted and extended version of the Multifaceted Empathy Test, alongside electroencephalography assessments focusing on event-related potentials, including N170, LPP, and P300 components. The main findings indicate a significant group × time interaction in P300 latency, with shorter latencies in the SCP neurofeedback group and longer latencies in controls, though post hoc tests were not significant. A trend toward reduced P300 amplitude in the experimental group suggests possible modulation of attentional processing. Additionally, changes in a late component of LPP amplitude were linked to reaction time in processing positive emotions, with increases associated with slower responses and decreases with faster responses. These results suggest slow cortical potential neurofeedback training may influence cognitive efficiency and emotional processing in autistic individuals. While promising, further research is needed to confirm these findings and optimize neurofeedback protocols for this population.

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7. Figueiredo LC, Otoch LN, Godoy PBG, Ubeid G, Santos LHR, Quinteiro VD, Bruckner JP, Taylor C, Green J, Shephard E. Feasibility of a preemptive therapy for Brazilian infants with family history of autism and ADHD. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2025: 1-15.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aims to investigate the preliminary feasibility and acceptability of a pre-emptive intervention for infants with a family history of autism and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Brazil. BACKGROUND: Infants with a first-degree relative diagnosed with autism or ADHD are more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for these conditions later in childhood. From the first year of life, these infants may also experience a range of developmental difficulties as well as differences in their day-to-day interactions with their caregivers. The pre-emptive iBASIS intervention has shown efficacy in enhancing caregiver-infant interaction and social-communication development in infants with family history or early signs of autism in the UK and Australia, but has not been assessed in lower-resource contexts nor for infants with a family history of ADHD. METHODS: iBASIS was delivered to nine Brazilian mothers of infants aged 4-13 months with and without a family history of autism/ADHD. Quantitative (number of drop-outs, number of sessions completed) and qualitative (themes developed from interviews with the mothers using reflexive thematic analysis) measures were used to assess feasibility and acceptability of iBASIS. RESULTS: Eight of the nine mothers completed all iBASIS sessions. Six mothers interviewed described receiving iBASIS as a positive experience with benefits for themselves and their infants consistent with the themes of the therapy. The mothers considered practical aspects of iBASIS to be feasible and challenges associated with completing the intervention surmountable. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide the first preliminary evidence of the good feasibility and acceptability of iBASIS in a non-English-speaking, socioeconomically and culturally diverse context.

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8. Given J, Paoletti O, Bromley R, Ballardini E, Beau AB, Bartolini C, Caillet A, Coldea A, Damase-Michel C, Evans HT, Jordan S, Leinonen MK, Manfrini M, Martikainen V, Morris JK, Neville AJ, Nordeng H, Puccini A, Coste F, Loane M. The Effect of Different Algorithms on Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Secondary Healthcare Data in Five European Countries: A Contribution from the ConcePTION Project. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

To assess the effect on prevalence estimates of using different algorithms to identify children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in healthcare data. Three algorithms were developed and run on administrative/research data in Finland, France (Haute Garonne), Italy (Emilia Romagna), Norway and Wales: (1) ≥ 1 ADHD or ASD diagnoses recorded in specialist settings, (2) ≥ 2 ADHD or ASD diagnoses recorded in primary care and (3) ≥ 1 prescription for medication to manage ADHD. Prevalence rates per 1000 children for each algorithm were calculated. 3,130,162 children (born 1996-2020) with 29,291,204 years of follow-up were included. ADHD prevalence per 1000 children in specialist settings ranged from 3.9 (Emilia Romagna) to 24.1 (Finland); and was 7.0 in primary care (Finland). Based on prescriptions, ADHD prevalence ranged from 0.1 (Emilia Romagna) to 9.9 (Haute Garonne). ASD prevalence in specialist settings ranged from 5.6 (Wales) to 9.7 (Finland), and in primary care from 1.0 (Finland) to 2.0 (Wales). Prevalence of ADHD and ASD was greater among children with longer follow-up. In Finland and Wales, 1.7% and 19.4% of children were diagnosed with ASD in primary care only respectively. The male:female ratio was 3-4:1. Whilst there was considerable geographical variation in the length of follow-up available, and prevalence of ADHD and ASD, specialist diagnoses recorded in healthcare data were key to identifying children with these disorders. These data sources can be complemented by using primary care diagnoses and prescription data to identify affected children more comprehensively.

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9. Gruner M, Roessner V, Ring M. Assessing Anxiety in Autistic and Non-Autistic Youth: Validation of the German Parent Version of the Anxiety Scale for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res. 2025.

Anxiety is a prevalent co-occurring disorder in autistic youth, yet its accurate assessment remains challenging due to symptom overlap with autism. The Anxiety Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder-Parent Version (ASC-ASD-P) was designed to address this issue, but its utility in German clinical settings has not been established. This study validated the German translation of the ASC-ASD-P in a clinical sample of 317 participants presenting at a clinic for autism assessment, including 120 autistic youth. Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach’s α = 0.92), and convergent validity was demonstrated through significant correlations with established psychopathology measures such as the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Factor analyses preferred a 4-factor structure in the autism group, but indicated difficulties replicating the Separation Anxiety Subscale. Autistic youth showed higher total anxiety and uncertainty scores compared to non-autistic youth, underlining the scale’s sensitivity to autism-specific anxiety patterns. By including youth with intellectual disabilities, often underrepresented in research, this study provides a more comprehensive evaluation of the ASC-ASD-P’s applicability across the autism spectrum. These findings support the ASC-ASD-P as a reliable tool for assessing anxiety in German-speaking autistic youth while highlighting areas where refinement could strengthen its utility.

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10. Hopkins MJ. Autistic Women’s Maternal Health: A Review of the Literature on Prenatal, Birth, and Postpartum Experiences for Autistic Mothers. Undergrad J Public Health Univ Mich. 2025; 9.

Prior autism research has noted a particular death in knowledge related to autistic mothers and their experiences with maternal care. This literature review synthesizes existing research on autistic mothers and their maternal experiences, focusing on the perinatal, birth, postpartum, and early childhood period. This search resulted in a final analysis of 17 articles. This review highlights major disparities between non-autistic women and autistic women across all phases of maternity. In particular, autistic women faced significant stigma and poor understanding of autism from medical providers, did not receive information in accessible forms, experienced distress and sensory overload due to the hospital environment, and had higher rates of postpartum anxiety and depression. Most autistic women still found motherhood to be a rewarding experience, showed resilience in advocating for proper care, and shared intense feelings of love, connection, and empathy for their children. The literature points to the need for leadership from autistic mothers and experts, who can use their lived experience to set priorities and change systems such that autistic women can reach reproductive justice.

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11. Hsu CL, Matt E, Fong TKH, Lam JYT, Chau B, Cheng CPW, Beisteiner R, Cheung T. Associations Between Brain Network Connectivity and Cognitive Measures in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Parent Study « Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Transcranial Pulse Stimulation on Autism Spectrum Disorder ». Autism Res. 2025.

This study presents a post hoc analysis of our parent study « Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Transcranial Pulse Stimulation on Autism Spectrum Disorder » study which was a double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized controlled trial. In this study, we examined associations between changes in brain network connectivity and cognitive performance in young adolescents (12-17 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) following the administration of transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) which is considered non-invasive, evidenced-based brain stimulation for neurodegenerative disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders. Our findings indicate that increased connectivity in specific brain networks is associated with improvements in cognitive measures, suggesting that connectivity changes may underpin cognitive changes observed after six TPS intervention. These results highlight potential neural mechanisms underlying cognitive improvements in ASD, although causality cannot be inferred from these associations. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05408793.

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12. Isaev DY, Major S, Carpenter KLH, Grapel J, Chang Z, Di Martino M, Carlson D, Dawson G, Sapiro G. Use of computer vision analysis for labeling inattention periods in EEG recordings with visual stimuli. Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1): 30963.

Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings with visual stimuli require detailed coding to determine the periods of participant’s attention. Here we propose to use a supervised machine learning model and off-the-shelf video cameras only. We extract computer vision-based features such as head pose, gaze, and face landmarks from the video of the participant, and train the machine learning model (multi-layer perceptron) on an initial dataset, then adapt it with a small subset of data from a new participant. Using a sample size of 23 autistic children with and without co-occurring ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) aged 49-95 months, and training on additional 2560 labeled frames (equivalent to 85.3 s of the video) of a new participant, the median area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for inattention detection was 0.989 (IQR 0.984-0.993) and the median inter-rater reliability (Cohen’s kappa) with a trained human annotator was 0.888. Agreement with human annotations for nine participants was in the 0.616-0.944 range. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of automatic tools to detect inattention during EEG recordings, and its potential to reduce the subjectivity and time burden of human attention coding. The tool for model adaptation and visualization of the computer vision features is made publicly available to the research community.

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13. Jang SS, Takahashi F, Huguenard JR. Reticular thalamic hyperexcitability drives autism spectrum disorder behaviors in the Cntnap2 model of autism. Sci Adv. 2025; 11(34): eadw4682.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and comorbidities such as sensory abnormalities, sleep disturbances, and seizures. Although thalamocortical circuit dysfunction has been implicated in these symptoms, its precise roles in ASD pathophysiology remain poorly understood. Here, we examine the specific contribution of the reticular thalamic nucleus (RT), a key modulator of thalamocortical activity, to ASD-related behavioral deficits using a Cntnap2 knockout mouse model. Cntnap2(-/-) mice displayed increased seizure susceptibility, locomotor activity, and repetitive behaviors. Electrophysiological recordings revealed enhanced intrathalamic oscillations and burst firing in RT neurons, accompanied by elevated T-type calcium currents. In vivo fiber photometry confirmed behavior-associated increases in RT population activity. Notably, pharmacological and chemogenetic suppression of RT excitability via Z944, a T-type calcium channel blocker, and via C21 activation of the inhibitory DREADD hM4Di significantly improved ASD-related behaviors. These findings identify RT hyperexcitability as a mechanistic driver of ASD and highlight RT as a potential therapeutic target.

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14. Kaan H, Erbilgin S, Alnak A, Coskun M. Exploring Parental Motivations for and Consequences of Having a Subsequent Child After an Autism Diagnosis in Türkiye. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

An autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis in a child may be an important factor influencing parents in choosing whether to have or not to have a subsequent child. In this descriptive observational study, we aimed to investigate parental motivations for and consequences of having a subsequent child after an autism diagnosis. This study was conducted in a university hospital child and adolescent psychiatry department. A total of 91 subjects (male, n = 72) aged 3 to 22 (10.70 ± 4.60 years) diagnosed with ASD having at least one younger sibling were included in the study. Parents were explored for motivations for and consequences of having a subsequent child after autism diagnosis by using detailed interview form developed by the authors for this study. Parents were also asked to fill out Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. Source of informants were mostly mothers (84.6%, n = 77). Most of the children with diagnosis of ASD were first born (82.4%, n = 75). A significant proportion of parents (79.1%, n = 72) reported that they were aware or suspected of a psychiatric condition in their child with ASD before the subsequent pregnancy. Definitive diagnosis of ASD had already been established or was in the process of being confirmed in 73.6% (n = 67) before the subsequent pregnancy. Of the respondents completed the survey (n = 58/91), 20.7 percent (12/58) reported their subsequent pregnancy as unintended. The most commonly reported motivations in intended pregnancies (n = 46) were: « to make friendship with the affected older sibling » (76.1%, n = 35), « to help care for the sibling with ASD » (54.3%, n = 25) and to have a healthy child (39.1%, n = 18). Among the parents with intended pregnancies, parents with ASD-related motivations (n = 40) were significantly more likely to have a first-born child diagnosed with ASD compared to those with non-ASD-related motivations (n = 18) (95.0% vs. 72.2%, p = 0.014). Parents with ASD-related motivations were more likely to believe their child would require lifelong support (62.5% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.039). Majority of the parents (67%; n = 61) reported perceiving at least some disruption in the overall care of their affected child after having another child. Caregiver burden scores, as measured by the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale (ZCBS) did not differ significantly between the groups (mean = 38.05 ± 15.14 for ASD-related motivation vs. 42.38 ± 15.56 for non-ASD-related motivation, p = 0.443). Exploring parental motivations, awareness and consequences of having a subsequent child after autism diagnosis may be an important issue in clinical practice. This may have significant implications in decision making of the parents and clinical management of children with ASD and their families.

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15. Kang J, Yang X, Zhang L, Li X, Zheng S, Tian X. EEG microstate-based static and dynamic brain functional network differences in autism spectrum disorder children and tDCS interventional modulation. Brain Dev. 2025; 47(5): 104423.

BACKGROUND: Autism has garnered significant attention due to its abnormal brain network function. METHODS: EEG microstates are brief, stable patterns of brain activity during rest, lasting 80-120 milliseconds before rapidly transitioning to new configurations. A static brain functional network was constructed based on microstates, and the static brain functional network was further quantified using fuzzy entropy to build a dynamic brain functional network. The techniques thoroughly assessed how children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing (TD) brain networks differed from two angles: microstate static functional connectivity and dynamic temporal variability. These features were used in a support vector machine classification model to distinguish ASD children. Additionally, the impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the brain functional network of ASD children was also assessed using this approach. RESULTS: The static functional connectivity of microstate A in ASD children was significantly lower than that of TD children, while the static functional connectivity of microstate D was significantly higher in the ASD group. The dynamic functional connectivity of microstates A, B, C, and D in the ASD group was significantly reduced across the whole brain. The support vector machine (SVM) classification accuracy based on these features was 96.33 %. Furthermore, after tDCS intervention, ASD children showed a trend of increased static functional connectivity in microstates A and C, as well as a tendency for increased dynamic functional connectivity in microstates A, B, and D. CONCLUSION: A notable disparity was observed between children diagnosed with ASD and TD regarding their static and dynamic brain networks. The excellent classification results were achieved. Furthermore, it was discovered that the tDCS intervention altered the children with ASD’s static and dynamic brain networks.

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16. Kato S, Hanawa K. Cognitive constraints and lexicogrammatical variability in ASD: from diagnostic discriminators to intervention strategies. Front Hum Neurosci. 2025; 19: 1606701.

INTRODUCTION: This study examines whether specific lexicogrammatical features can reliably differentiate individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from non-ASD individuals. Classification models using logistic regression and deep neural networks (DNN) demonstrated high performance-80% accuracy, 82% precision, 73% sensitivity, and 87% specificity. To clarify which linguistic variables contribute to this differentiation, the analysis focused on identifying key syntactic features associated with ASD-specific patterns of lexicogrammatical choices. METHODS: This study used the Tag Linear Model, developed in prior work, which enables identification of specific lexicogrammatical discriminators. Although DNN models achieved higher predictive accuracy, their internal processes were not interpretable. To identify statistically significant features, we applied a logistic regression with 10,000 bootstrap iterations; p-values derived from this procedure indicated the statistical significance of each feature. The linear model thus provided transparent evidence of differences in lexicogrammatical features between ASD and non-ASD individuals. RESULTS: Of the 135 lexicogrammatical items analyzed, 46 were identified asstatistically significant discriminators (p < 0.05) between ASD and non-ASD speakers. From these 46 discriminators, 20 showing variation at the clause and phrase level were selected for detailed analysis. These were grouped into seven cognitive-functional domains implicated in ASD, including working memory, inferencing, joint attention, and mental space construction. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that syntactic variation in ASD reflects underlying domain-specific cognitive constraints. Linking lexicogrammatical features to cognitive-functional domains provides a linguistically grounded perspective on the neurocognitive profiles of ASD and informs future diagnostic and intervention approaches.

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17. Li B, Qiao Y, Li Y. Porphyromonas gingivalis deteriorates autism spectrum disorders by disturbing the gut and oral microbiota. Front Microbiol. 2025; 16: 1579128.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) significantly impairs socialization and communication, posing a major societal challenge due to limited understanding of its pathogenesis and lack of effective treatments. Recent studies have shown an imbalance in the oral and intestinal microbiota of individuals with ASD, which may exacerbate ASD symptoms. In this study, we successfully established an ASD mouse model induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) solution. Bio-behavioral experiments, including the elevated plus maze test, demonstrated that Pg. induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Analysis of oral and intestinal microbiota revealed significant alterations in microbial richness, diversity, and evenness in Pg-treated mice, indicating that Pg. disrupted the normal bacterial community structure and function. Subsequent 16S rRNA sequencing showed increased abundance of amino acid metabolism pathways in Pg-intervened mice, highlighting the close link between bacterial community function and carbohydrate, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolic pathways. These findings provide promising clinical targets for ASD treatment and offer insights into developing new therapeutic strategies.

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18. Li J, Zhang Z, Yan T. Safety Profiles of Trofinetide in Pediatric Rett Syndrome Population: A Real-World Postmarketing Pharmacovigilance Analysis. Clin Ther. 2025.

PURPOSE: Trofinetide, a synthetic analog of glycine-proline-glutamate, is the only approved therapy for Rett syndrome. This study evaluated the safety profile of trofinetide in pediatric patients with Rett syndrome using real-world pharmacovigilance data. METHODS: Adverse event (AE) reports were extracted from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from Q1 2023 to Q4 2024. Disproportionality analyses were conducted using ROR, PRR, BCPNN, and MGPS to detect AE signals associated with trofinetide use in individuals under 18 years. A Weibull distribution model was applied to assess time-to-onset patterns. Subgroup analyses by age and dose, as well as sensitivity analyses excluding common co-medications, were conducted to evaluate signal consistency. FINDINGS: Most patients were female (95.4%), and all reports originated from the United States. Common labeled AEs were confirmed, including diarrhoea (n = 1,528; ROR = 38.1), vomiting (n = 434; ROR = 5.96), and seizures (n = 251; ROR = 5.30). Off-label signals included weight decreased (n = 135; ROR = 7.21), tremor (n = 39; ROR = 3.37), dystonia (n = 18; ROR = 4.39), and dyskinesia (n = 24; ROR = 4.53). Over 70% of AEs occurred within the first month. Hypersomnia was more frequently reported in younger children (ROR = 12.11), and higher doses were associated with psychiatric symptoms. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of key signals. IMPLICATIONS: This study provides critical real-world safety data on trofinetide use in pediatric Rett syndrome, identifying both expected and emerging AEs. Findings highlight the importance of monitoring dose-related and age-specific adverse events in clinical settings.

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19. Liu Q, Wang Q, Gong X, Luo X, Ji Z, Yin T, Su X, Chen J, Li X, Yi L, Liu J. Audio-Visual Speech Synchrony Impacts Gaze Patterns in Autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

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20. Locke JJ, Michael OG, Holt T, Drahota A, Dickson KS. Redesigning an Autism Evidence-Based Practice Adoption and Decision-Making Implementation Toolkit for Middle and High Schools. School Ment Health. 2024; 16(3): 727-45.

Research indicates inadequate evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation for autistic adolescents in schools, despite schools being the most accessed service system by autistic youth. It is critical for school personnel to have a systematic approach to select and adopt autism EBPs. The Autism Community Toolkit: Systems to Measure and Adopt Research-based Treatments (ACT SMART) is a packaged implementation process tool designed to facilitate autism EBP adoption and uptake in community agencies, with promising feasibility, utility, and effectiveness. The current study describes the first iterative study of a community-partnered, iterative redesign of ACT SMART for use in educational settings. Using mixed-methods (focus groups, surveys), we gathered district and school administrators’, teachers’, paraeducators’, autistic students’ and their caregivers’ perspectives of the feasibility, usability, and appropriateness of ACT SMART. We also gathered recommendations for redesign to ensure its contextual appropriateness and usability in middle and high schools. Results indicated the perceived acceptability (satisfaction with ACT SMART), feasibility (practicability of ACT SMART), and appropriateness (perceived fit or relevance of ACT SMART) but more limited usability (extent to which ACT SMART can be used by educators to achieve intended goals) of ACT SMART for schools. Key modifications include integrating the toolkit with school structures (i.e., conducting training on professional development days, aligning budget planning with the district timeline, tying the toolkit to students’ IEPs, aligning with school calendars) and content modifications (i.e., altering language, shortening assessments, incorporating toolkit engagement strategies) to improve usability in schools. The current study highlights the relevance and potential of tools targeting EBP selection and adoption support for public schools. Next steps include further application of community-partnered and human-centered design methods to further refine and finalize the redesigned ACT SMART Toolkit and subsequent feasibility pilot testing.

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21. Moore CM. Clinical Assessment Tools for Dyspnea in People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Review of Instruments. J Hosp Palliat Nurs. 2025.

Effective symptom assessment and management are the cornerstone of quality palliative care, yet unique barriers exist for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). More recently, there has been growing interest in pain assessment for people with IDD, but other symptoms, such as dyspnea, have not been as readily explored. People with IDD experience death due to respiratory conditions at rates higher than the general population, yet not much is known about dyspnea assessment in this population. Individuals with IDD are often left out of research, including studies that validate clinical assessment tools. Communication differences or cognitive abilities can impact the reliability of self-reports for some people with IDD, making the understanding of clinical assessment tools for this population more important for palliative care clinicians in managing symptoms. Currently, no clinical assessment scales have been validated for use in people with IDD. This article examines 4 commonly used and validated clinical assessment tools for dyspnea and offers recommendations for future research and comprehensive dyspnea assessment in people with IDD.

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22. Ortiz Hernández IY, Noboa Rodríguez J, Bueno Fernandez LA, Rijo Florimon K. Early-Onset 15q11.2 Microdeletion Syndrome in a Six-Year-Old Child: A Case Report of Refractory Epilepsy, Autism, and Multisystem Manifestations. Cureus. 2025; 17(8): e90530.

The 15q11.2 microdeletion syndrome, also known as Burnside-Butler syndrome (BBS), is a rare genetic disorder involving a deletion in the breakpoint 1 to breakpoint 2 (BP1-BP2) on the long arm of chromosome 15, often associated with growth retardation and delayed speech development. In contrast, rare manifestations consist of dysmorphic traits, seizures, and neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions such as epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and schizophrenia. The BP1-BP2 region contains genes critical for brain development and function, including non-imprinted in Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome 1 (NIPA1), non-imprinted in Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome 2 (NIPA2), cytoplasmic FMR1 interacting protein 1 (CYFIP1), and tubulin gamma complex associated protein 5 (TUBGCP5), which have been linked to conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and epilepsy. Prenatal tests and karyotype lead to unclear results, but the current chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) provides an accurate diagnosis of BBS. Treatment for these individuals is personalized and typically involves a multidisciplinary approach. We present the case of a six-year-old male patient with 15q11.2 microdeletion syndrome and a complex neurological and developmental profile, including developmental delay and ASD. We highlight the rare combination of early-onset refractory epilepsy, schizencephaly, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) variant carrier status, which adds to the uniqueness of the case. This article contributes to expanding the clinical spectrum of 15q11.2 microdeletion syndrome. It underscores the importance of genetic testing in children with complex neurodevelopmental symptoms, as the clinical presentation of this syndrome is often subtle or nonspecific, making early diagnosis and genetic counseling challenging but essential for guiding appropriate interventions.

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23. Pavlidou A, Tolev A, Reinhold D, Steinberg G, Müller TJ, Walther S. Aberrant gesture use in autism spectrum disorders is unrelated to motor abnormalities. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2025.

BACKGROUND: Gesture deficits are well-documented in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet research in adults with ASD remains limited. Understanding the nature of gesture deficits in adulthood is essential for identifying their underlying mechanisms and potential impact on communication and daily functioning. The aim of the current study examines gesture performance in adults with ASD to explore whether these deficits persist beyond childhood and how they relate to motor impairments. METHODS: We included 19 patients diagnosed with ASD and 19 age-and-gender matched controls. Gesture performance accuracy was assessed in both groups using the Test of Upper Limb Apraxia (TULIA) which was subjectively rated according to the manual by an independent single rater who was blinded to the group allocations, while manual dexterity was assessed using the performance-based coin-rotation task. We further assessed motor impairments in patients using standardized well-established motor scales to examine their potential contributions to gesture accuracy. RESULTS: Individuals with ASD exhibited significant gesture deficits compared to controls, while manual dexterity remained preserved. Tool-based gestures appeared to be the most affected. Though ASD individuals exhibited numerous motor impairments they were not associated with gesture deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that gesture deficits in ASD are not driven by the presence of motor impairments. However, given the small sample size, these results should be interpreted with caution. Future studies with larger and more diverse samples are needed to further investigate the mechanisms contributing to gesture difficulties in ASD.

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24. Saad MAE. Sleep Problems in Children with ASD and Mothers’ Stress: the Mediating Role of Mother’s Quality of Life and Moderator Role of Mother’s Resilience. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of mother’s quality of life and moderator role of mother’s resilience in the relationship between sleep problems in children with ASD and mothers’ stress. One hundred and eighty eight children and their mothers participated in the present study. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The results of the mediation and mediated moderation analyses in this context confirmed the hypotheses of the study. The results provided important data on the factors that affect the mothers’ stress of children with ASD and how mother’s resilience can play a moderating role. Sleep problems in children with ASD indicates mothers’ stress (b = 0.21, p < .001, 95% CI [0.18, 0.24]) and mother's quality of life (b = -0.21, p < .01), 95% CI [-0.20, 0.25]). After controlling for the effect of sleep problems, mothers' stress predicted mother's quality of life at negative and significant levels (b = -. 18, p < .01, 95% CI [-0.11, 0.22]). Children with ASD often exhibit sleep difficulties which increase maladaptive daytime behaviors and this impacts their mothers' stress. This in its turn leads to poor health outcomes for mothers. Accordingly, increased, prolonged parental stress can be related to decreased health-related quality of life (QoL). The relationship between poor sleep of the child, increased problem behaviors, and parent's stress becomes a perpetual cycle.

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25. Sacrey LR, Zwaigenbaum L, Smith IM, Brian JA, Wass S, Jones EJH, Johnson MH. Influence of a Short-Term Attention Intervention on the Attentional Skills of Toddlers With Suspected or Confirmed Autism Spectrum Disorder. Child Dev. 2025.

Examination of the effectiveness of an attention intervention using a randomized controlled trial for toddlers with suspected or confirmed autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Data was collected from Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, Canada between February 2018 and February 2020 (halted due to COVID-19 pandemic). Participants were 35 toddlers randomized to the attention condition (age at start: 25.49 + 3.91 months; 29 boys; mother’s ethnicity: 65% white) and 34 toddlers randomized to a control condition. (age at start: 26.32 + 3.55 months; 24 boys; mother’s ethnicity: 29% white). The results suggest that the attentional skills can be improved by a computer-based attention intervention, which in turn affects behavior observed in a real-world setting.

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26. Shen C, Shen L, Qu F, He C, Yu H, Zhang Z, Liu J. Correlation between Neurotransmitter Transporter Gene Variants and Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case-control Study. Saudi J Med Med Sci. 2025; 13(3): 173-80.

OBJECTIVE: This case-control study aimed to determine the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the neurotransmitter transporter genes SLC6A3 and SLC6A4 and childhood autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as the severity of the disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children with ASD and age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited from a hospital and schools, respectively. Seven SNPs in the SLC6A3 gene and three SNPs in the SLC6A4 gene were analyzed in blood cell DNA using the TaqMan probe approach. The severity of the disease was evaluated using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). RESULTS: A total of 249 children with ASD and 343 controls were included. The genotype frequencies of the examined SNPs were not correlated with childhood ASD. Only the T allele of the SNP rs140700 displayed a non-significant association with a reduced risk of childhood ASD (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-1.0, P = 0.0517). Interestingly, the C allele of rs140701 was significantly correlated with lower disease severity (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9, P = 0.0093). Additionally, the genotype of rs27072 was significantly associated with the score of the body use domain of CARS; however, no examined SNPs showed a significant association with the overall score. CONCLUSION: Certain SNPs on neurotransmitter transporter SLC6A3 and SLC6A4 genes are correlated with the severity of childhood autism spectrum disorder but not with the risk of developing the disease. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential clinical applications.

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27. Simoncic V, Wenger R, Monnier M, Michelon C, Peries M, Hough I, Klook I, Lepeule J, Mortamais M, Baghdadli A. Perinatal Air Pollution Exposure and Autism spectrum disorder Severity: The Intertwined Roles of Green Space, Grey Space and Healthcare Accessibility – A Cohort Study. Environ Res. 2025: 122577.

INTRODUCTION: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is influenced by environmental, genetic, and socio-economic factors. While air pollution exposure during development has been linked to ASD outcomes, the roles of green spaces, grey spaces, and healthcare accessibility in this relationship remain understudied. This research examines how these factors during the first 1000 days (from conception to the first two years of life), moderate the association between air pollution and ASD severity in children from the ELENA cohort (« Etude Longitudinale chez l’Enfant avec Autisme »). METHODS: Data from 237 children with ASD were analyzed. Perinatal exposure to particulate matter (PM(10) and PM(2.5)) was estimated using a validated model, with green spaces quantified using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and grey spaces through impervious surface coverage. Healthcare accessibility was measured as the distance to autism resource centers (CRA) from residential addresses. ASD severity was assessed using the total score of the Social Responsiveness Scale. Linear regression models within structural equation modeling estimated the effects of air pollution, green spaces, grey spaces, and healthcare accessibility on ASD severity. RESULTS: Higher PM exposures were paradoxically associated with lower ASD severity. However, grey spaces significantly moderated this association, with greater impervious surface coverage attenuating the negative association. Healthcare accessibility was crucial: when considering center proximity, pollution was no longer associated with ASD severity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the critical role of healthcare accessibility and environmental factors in shaping the relationship between air pollution and ASD severity. Integrating geographic and environmental contexts is crucial when evaluating the environmental determinants of ASD outcomes.

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28. Stearns MA, Hayse B, McGovney K, Nair N, Mazurek M, Curtis AF, Beversdorf D, Sohl K, McCrae CS. Psychosocial Functioning Mediates Parental Depression and Sleep in Autistic Children. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

Parents of children who have sleep difficulties often experience depression. Although complex, this relationship may be at least partially explained because the children of parents with depression are more likely to experience poor psychosocial functioning, which can negatively impact their sleep. Autistic children are particularly at risk for sleep difficulties, and it is important to better understand these relationships as scant to no research has been done that investigates parental depression, child psychosocial functioning, and child sleep among autistic children. The current study examined whether parental perception of their child’s psychosocial functioning mediated the relationship between parental depression and their child’s sleep. The sample (N = 74) consisted of parents (77% female) reporting on their children aged 6-12 (M = 8.85, SD = 1.96; 74.3% male). All children were diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder and had sleep complaints as reported by their parents. Measures included the Child Sleep Health Questionnaire (CSHQ), sleep onset latency (SOL) and total sleep time (TST) from 14 days of sleep diaries, the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC), and a question asking if the parent had been diagnosed with depression (yes/no). Child psychosocial functioning significantly mediated the relationship between parental depression and child sleep (CSHQ and TST). These results indicate that child psychosocial functioning may help to explain the connection between diagnosed parental depression and poor child sleep among autistic children.

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29. Tang L, Shen C. Multimodal AI-driven object detection with uncertainty quantification for cardiovascular risk assessment in autistic patients. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2025; 12: 1606159.

INTRODUCTION: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed medical diagnostics, offering enhanced precision and efficiency in detecting cardiovascular risks. However, traditional diagnostic approaches for cardiovascular risk assessment in autistic patients remain limited due to the complexity of medical data, inter-individual variability, and the challenges of integrating multi-modal clinical information. Conventional methods, relying heavily on manually extracted features and rule-based analysis, often fail to capture subtle cardiovascular abnormalities, leading to suboptimal clinical outcomes. METHODS: To address these limitations, we propose an AI-driven object detection framework that leverages advanced deep learning techniques for automated, accurate cardiovascular risk assessment in autistic patients. Our approach integrates multi-modal medical data, including imaging and electronic health records, through a novel feature fusion mechanism, enhancing diagnostic precision. Furthermore, an uncertainty quantification module is embedded to improve model interpretability and reliability, addressing concerns regarding AI-based medical decision-making. RESULTS: Experimental evaluations demonstrate that our method significantly outperforms traditional diagnostic techniques in sensitivity and specificity, making it a robust tool for clinical applications. DISCUSSION: The proposed framework represents a significant step towards personalized and data-driven cardiovascular care for autistic patients, aligning with the need for tailored diagnostic solutions in this specialized medical domain.

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30. Tavukçu D, Kaya S. A Lexicon-Based Analysis of Public Knowledge Regarding the Causes and Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2025.

People around individuals with autism spectrum disorders, such as their families or teachers, use multiple sources of information, either concurrently or sequentially, to obtain autism-related information. Recently, social media platforms have become primary sources of information. However, these sources may provide information that is either accurate or inaccurate. In this study, information regarding the causes and interventions of autism spectrum disorder disseminated through X was examined and discussed in line with the literature. A total of 6,861 tweets posted between January 2000 and October 2022 were collected and filtered, resulting in 4,805 unique tweets. Using a lexicon-based factual classification approach, each tweet was labeled as accurate, inaccurate, or neutral based on its alignment with established scientific literature. Tweets labeled as neutral were subsequently excluded from further analysis, resulting in a final dataset of 3,114 tweets. The lexicon-based sentiment analysis revealed that 78.6% of tweets related to the causes of ASD were classified as inaccurate, while only 21.4% were classified as accurate. Similarly, 57.9% of tweets concerning interventions were inaccurate, whereas 42.1% were accurate. The autism-related information available on X reaches a broad audience. However, the findings highlight the persistent challenges in addressing misinformation about ASD on social media platforms, emphasizing the urgent need for strategies that foster accurate, evidence-based discourse.

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31. Turner JM, Byrge L, Richardson H, Galdi P, Kennedy DP, Kliemann D. Social inference brain networks in autistic adults during movie-viewing: functional specialization and heterogeneity. Mol Autism. 2025; 16(1): 42.

BACKGROUND: Difficulty in social inferences is a core feature in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). On the behavioral level, it remains unclear whether reasoning about others’ mental states (Theory of Mind, ToM) and empathic responses to others’ physical states may be similarly or differentially affected in autism. On the neural level, these inferences typically engage distinct brain networks (ToM versus Pain networks), but their functional specialization remains not well understood in autism. This study aimed to investigate the functional specialization, heterogeneity, and brain-behavior relationships of the ToM and Pain networks in autistic compared to neurotypical (NT) participants. We hypothesized differential functional network specialization (i.e., functional connectivity), increased heterogeneity, and less typical network responses specifically in the ToM network, with relatively similar responses in the Pain network in ASD. METHODS: Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated neural responses in 107 adults (autistic: 34 (female = 11), NT: 73 (female = 23); matched for age, intellectual functioning, sex, motion) while they passively watched a short, animated movie including events that evoke reasoning about characters’ mental states and bodily sensations. Preregistered analyses included regression models to assess inter-region correlation of within- and across-network connectivity, inter-subject correlation to quantify similarity to the average neurotypical, as well as to within- and across-group timecourse responses, and brain-behavior relationships relevant for social inferences. RESULTS: Functional specialization of ToM and Pain networks were overall intact, with distinct network responses in both groups. The autistic group showed differential ToM network responses and reduced similarity to the average typical response for both networks. Network responses were more idiosyncratic and heterogenous in the autistic group. Brain-behavior relationships differed between groups for ToM behavior only. LIMITATIONS: Effects between groups were overall small. Samples were acquired across two sites, yet the sample size restricts subgroup analyses that may further inform autistic heterogeneity and limits generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: We found weak evidence for greater differential responses in brain networks underlying ToM inferences than those involved in empathic responses in autism, consistent with a prior empathy imbalance hypothesis. We outline suggestions for replicating, generalizing and extending these results in future research.

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32. Victoria S, Roper C. Autism spectrum disorder-like behaviors in developing zebrafish exposed to particulate matter. Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2025: 107548.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that can impact communication and social behaviors. Evidence suggests that the causes of ASD are likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as air pollution. Particulate matter (PM) is the solid and liquid portion of air pollution that can vary in size and has been associated with many health impacts, including cardiorespiratory impacts, and has more recently been found to be associated with the prevalence of ASD. However, little is known about the phenotypic presentations of this association between PM and ASD, therefore, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model was employed to study behaviors often associated with ASD as a result of PM exposure. Zebrafish larvae were exposed for a total of 5 days to PM standard reference material (SRM1649b) and a commonly used home remedy, melatonin, beginning at 6 h post-fertilization and various behavioral assays were performed on subsequent days for a total of 13 days. Observed and quantified behaviors were compared to a positive control, valproic acid (VPA). Generally, PM exposure did not elicit behavior resembling that of VPA exposure and the interactions between PM and VPA did not induce additive or synergistic behavioral patterns, as expected. Melatonin supplementation did not ameliorate most of the observed behavioral impacts of PM or VPA exposure. These results have prompted additional questions about the phenotypic presentations of ASD as a result of PM exposure and contribute to growing knowledge about disease-environment interactions.

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33. Wang Y. Enhancing generalizability and clinical translation of ViT-CNA fusion for ASD diagnosis. Jpn J Radiol. 2025.

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34. Zhang ZH, Hu KX, Shi YC, Zhou HY. Aberrant predictive learning along the positive schizotypy – autistic traits continuum: evidence from ambiguous social information processing. Asian J Psychiatr. 2025; 111: 104666.

Deficits in social information processing have been observed in both schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), though the underlying mechanisms may differ. From a predictive coding perspective, such deficits are thought to arise from an overreliance on prior expectations in SSD, whereas individuals with ASD may exhibit difficulties in forming or using such expectations. However, very few studies have investigated the behavioral markers underlying social predictive learning along the ASD-SSD continuum. Using a novel cue-outcome associative learning task, this study examined how prior expectations influence the perception of ambiguous social information. A total of 121 healthy participants (aged 17-25) completed the task, along with self-report measures of positive schizotypal (Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, SPQ; Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences, CAPE) and autistic traits (Autism Spectrum Quotient, AQ). Computational modeling using the Hierarchical Gaussian Filter (HGF) and correlational analyses revealed that higher levels of positive schizotypal traits were associated with greater reliance on prior beliefs and reduced flexibility in updating prediction errors. In contrast, expected inverse associations for autistic traits were not consistently observed. These results support the hyper-prior hypothesis of schizophrenia and highlight aberrant predictive mechanisms in positive schizotypy. The predictive coding framework might be useful for differentiating between SSD- and ASD-related social cognitive difficulties, with implications for targeted intervention strategies.

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