Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with atypical large-scale brain network organization, yet how spatial-functional dependencies relate to clinical features and molecular reference maps remains incompletely understood. To quantify spatial functional heterogeneity (Sill) and coherence persistence (Range), we analyzed resting-state fMRI data from 162 ASD and 175 TD adolescents, all aged 12–18. Compared with TD, adolescents with ASD exhibited significantly increased Sill within higher-order association networks, including the left Language and right Posterior Multimodal networks, whereas no group differences in Range survived multiple-comparison correction. Within the ASD group, elevated Sill was selectively associated with greater social-affective symptom severity but not restricted and repetitive behaviors. To explore potential biological correlates, we integrated cortical gene expression reference data and identified transcriptomic patterns associated with regional Sill differences. These genes showed enrichment for synaptic signaling, mitochondrial processes, and glial-related functions, highlighting multiscale correspondence between spatial-functional organization and molecular reference maps. Together, these results demonstrate statistical associations among altered spatial-functional properties, clinical severity, and transcriptomic profiles related to synaptic signaling, mitochondrial processes, and glial-related functions in ASD, providing a complementary spatial perspective on large-scale functional organization.
Historical trauma as a contributor to postpartum depression among Indigenous mothers
IntroductionPostpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health concern. Moreover, research suggests that American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) mothers experience postpartum depression at higher rates than the general population (Heck, 2021; Ko et al., 2017). As a result, understanding the potential causes of higher PPD among AI/AN mothers is helpful to the development of better interventions to reduce PPD among AI/AN mothers. A potential cause of higher PPD symptoms among AI/AN mothers is historical trauma (HT). HT refers to the cumulative psychological wounding experienced across generations due to systemic oppression, colonization, slavery, and other traumatic events experienced by a group of individuals.MethodsTo test the theorized relationships between HT and PPD symptoms, we conducted an online survey of adult women who both identified as Indigenous and who give birth in the past five years (N = 56). The survey consisted of the psychometrically suitable measures of the Historical Loss Scale (HLS: Whitbeck at al, 2004) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; Cox et al., 1987). .ResultsThe results indicated that a model of HLS scores as a predictor of PPD symptoms over and above the controls of income, mental health diagnosis, and the total number of children of the birth mother fit the data well (χ2 = 13.60; df = 10; p = .192; RMSEA = .081 [90% CI: .000, .178]; CFI = .949). Moreover, of all the predictors, the dimension of the HLS measuring mothers’ endorsement of the presence of oppressive governmental and institutional policies toward AI/AN was the strongest predictor of greater PPD (β = .28, p < .05). A Bollen Stine bootstrap test was also used to confirm the stability of the model. The Bollen Stine operates by comparing the theorized model to a model that perfectly fits the data. The results of the Bollen Stine test indicated that the theorized model was not significantly different than a model of perfect fit. .DiscussionSuch results suggest that a potential explanation of higher PPD symptoms among AI/AN mothers is the effects of HT. Future interventions to reduce PPD symptoms among AI/AN mothers may benefit from an additional focus on treating HT.
Immersive wearable virtual reality for autism: a systematic review of current evidence
IntroductionImmersive and wearable virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology with growing potential to support assessment and intervention ifor autistic people. The methodological heterogeneity of existing studies limits the interpretation and generalization of current evidence.MethodsA systematic review with a narrative synthesis was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, identifying studies published between 2015 and August 2025. Twenty-two studies investigating wearable and immersive VR interventions in children and adults with ASD met the eligibility criteria.ResultsThe included studies demonstrated that wearable VR interventions may improve social communication, joint attention, emotional regulation, daily living skills, executive functioning, and user engagement. Innovative technologies, including eye-tracking and artificial intelligence-based systems, also enabled objective assessment of gaze behaviour, social interaction, and physiological responses. Nevertheless, the evidence was characterized by considerable methodological heterogeneity, predominantly small sample sizes, limited use of randomized controlled designs, and scarce long-term follow-up, reducing the generalizability of the findings.DiscussionWearable VR represents a promising tool for personalized assessment and intervention in ASD. Based on the current evidence, we propose a structured pre-intervention assessment integrating sensory, cognitive, emotional, and VR tolerance profiles to support individualized intervention planning. Future research should prioritize standardized outcome measures, rigorous study designs, and longitudinal investigations to strengthen the clinical translation of VR-based interventions in autism.
Resting-state functional connectivity of the sensorimotor network in medication-naïve Chinese children with ADHD: cross-sectional associations with hyperactivity/impulsivity and executive function
BackgroundAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder, often—but not always—characterized by inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and deficits in executive functions (EFs); some individuals may also exhibit sensorimotor dysfunction. While SMN dysfunction has been implicated in ADHD, the patterns of SMN functional connectivity (FC) and their relationships with clinical symptoms and EFs remain inconsistent, partly due to methodological heterogeneity.MethodsThe study included 62 medication-naïve patients with ADHD (aged 6–15 years) and 46 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and IQ. Clinical symptoms and EFs were assessed using CPRS, IVA-CPT, and Stroop tests. Resting-state fMRI data were acquired, and ROIs within SMN, SN, DMN, and FPN were selected from the Dosenbach atlas. FC was analyzed using Network-Based Statistics (NBS). Partial correlations explored FC–behavior relationships in the ADHD group, controlling for age, sex, and IQ.ResultsThe ADHD group showed significantly higher CPRS hyperactivity/impulsivity scores and poorer IVA-CPT and Stroop performance. Compared to controls, ADHD showed increased FC within SMN (right posterior insula to left precentral gyrus/parietal lobe), between SMN–DMN (precentral gyrus, dorsal frontal cortex, temporal lobe, angular gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex, and precuneus), and SMN–SN (middle insula, superior parietal lobule, superior temporal gyrus, basal ganglia, and fusiform gyrus). Enhanced intra-SMN FC was negatively correlated with impulsivity/hyperactivity and hyperactivity index scores. Enhanced SMN–DMN FC was negatively correlated with hyperactivity symptoms and positively correlated with control quotients in IVA-CPT. Enhanced SMN–SN FC was negatively correlated with Stroop correct responses and positively correlated with omission errors.ConclusionsIn this medication-naïve pediatric sample, distinct SMN connectivity patterns differentially related to ADHD symptoms and executive function. However, given the cross-sectional design and modest sample size, these associations cannot establish causality; they require replication in longitudinal studies and larger cohorts to clarify whether they reflect developmental variation, neurobiological subtypes, or epiphenomena.
Clinical warning signs preceding severe suicide attempts requiring pediatric intensive care in children and adolescents
BackgroundChildhood suicide attempts requiring pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission represent some of the most severe forms of self-harm and are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify potential psychosocial factors and clinical warning signs preceding severe suicide attempts in children and adolescents.MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted in the PICU of Van Regional Training and Research Hospital between January 2017 and January 2025. Children aged 8–18 years admitted following intentional self-harm or suicide attempts were eligible. Survivors participated in structured face-to-face interviews. For deceased patients, information was obtained from at least three first-degree relatives and corroborated using medical records and reports from treating physicians.ResultsDuring the study period, 256 individual patients accounted for 289 suicide-related PICU admissions, of whom 116 met the inclusion criteria. The cohort included 81 females (69.8%) and 35 males (30.2%), with a mean age of 15.5 ± 2.1 years. Patients were classified according to the presence of documented healthcare encounters within the preceding year: Group 1 (80/116, 69.0%) had at least one prior healthcare contact for potential warning signs, whereas Group 2 (36/116, 31.0%) had none. Group 2 patients were younger, more frequently aged 8–13 years, and experienced significantly higher morbidity and mortality. Mortality was significantly higher among boys aged 8–13 years. The highest mortality rates were observed among patients with gender identity-related distress (3/3) and pregnant adolescents reporting violations of sexual consent (3/4), although these findings were based on very small subgroups.ConclusionsNearly 70% of children who attempted suicide had prior healthcare encounters for potentially recognizable warning signs, including psychosomatic complaints, humiliation or bullying, exposure to violence, and gynecological presentations. These findings highlight opportunities for earlier recognition of psychosocial distress during routine clinical encounters. Given the retrospective single-center design and absence of a non-suicidal comparison group, the results should be considered exploratory and hypothesis-generating rather than predictive.
Autonomic dysregulation and nonsuicidal self-injury: findings from a cross-sectional online survey
IntroductionDysregulation of the autonomic nervous system has been implicated in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in laboratory studies of physiological reactivity, but it remains unclear whether self-reported everyday autonomic symptom burden is associated with NSSI severity.MethodsWe conducted a preregistered cross-sectional online survey of N = 1,002 German-speaking adolescents and young adults aged 14–30 years (M = 23.43; 73% women). Autonomic symptoms were assessed with the COMPASS 31; NSSI presence and frequency were measured with the SITBI-R across four reference periods (past week, month, year, lifetime). Data were analyzed using zero-inflated negative binomial models.ResultsThe 12-month NSSI prevalence was 22.6%. Higher COMPASS 31 scores were associated with lower odds of reporting zero NSSI episodes across all reference periods and with higher NSSI episode counts for the past month, past year, and lifetime; the past-week count association was not statistically significant. These associations held after controlling for childhood adversity, perceived stress, medication, and hormonal contraception.DiscussionThese results indicate that self-reported autonomic symptom burden was robustly associated with NSSI involvement, particularly with the likelihood of any NSSI and with episode counts over longer reference periods. These findings suggest that self-reported autonomic symptom burden may represent a clinically relevant somatic correlate of NSSI severity.
Engineered polyketide synthases enable a microbial chassis for recyclable plastics with tunable properties
Nature Biotechnology, Published online: 27 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41587-026-03229-7
Polyketide synthases are engineered for the production of sustainable plastics.
Toward a test of medical AI superintelligence
Nature Medicine, Published online: 27 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04539-8
Researchers urgently need a rigorous, task-based framework to define and measure medical AI ‘superintelligence’, because existing benchmarks are misleading and insufficient.
Longitudinal plasma proteomics predict phenoconversion to clinically manifest ALS
Nature Medicine, Published online: 27 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04528-x
Longitudinal proteomic analysis of plasma from unaffected carriers of ALS-associated pathogenic variants revealed early protein changes before ALS symptoms and enabled mapping of their trajectories as well as prediction of the timing of phenoconversion
STAT+: RA Capital backs upstart rival to Ultragenyx and Ionis in rare brain disease
RA Capital and a fleet of other investors are putting $175 million behind Oak Hill Bio, a startup trying to revive an experimental Angelman syndrome drug that Roche shelved.
Oak Hill is competing with Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical and Ionis Pharmaceuticals, both of which are already running Phase 3 trials of similar drugs for the same disease. Ultragenyx will have results this year.
Oak Hill is betting it has the best molecule.