As a mom who's waded through endless neurodivergent and autism theories, I've learned to approach new research with a healthy dose of skepticism. But this gut-brain connection autism research from USC ...

Theresa Gaffney is the lead Morning Rounds writer and reports on health care, new research, and public policy, with a particular interest in mental health, gender-affirming care, and LGBTQ+ patient ...

Autism has long challenged scientists trying to unlock its biological origins. With complex genetic, behavioral, and communication symptoms appearing in early childhood, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ...

"Autism is not a processing error. It's a different operating system." –Sarah Hendrickx According to the National Institute of Mental Health, autism is a ...

Scientists are uncovering how what mothers eat during pregnancy could influence gut microbes and shape brain development in their children, potentially influencing autism risk in the next generation.

"Our research highlights the importance of addressing gut problems that can be experienced by people with brain disorders, taking a holistic view that recognizes the ways gastrointestinal issues may ...

New research shows gut bacteria can directly influence how the brain develops and functions. When scientists transferred ...

Synaptic plasticity allows brains to learn, adapt, and rewire. It’s foundational to memory, problem-solving, and complex ...

A groundbreaking new study reveals that changes to the gut microbiome can change the way the brain works. Humans have the largest relative brain size of any primate, but little is known about how ...