Robert T. Schultz

TL;DR: A novel method of quantifying atypical strategies of social monitoring in a setting that simulates the demands of daily experience is reported, finding that fixation times on mouths and objects but not on eyes are strong predictors of degree of social competence.

TL;DR: It is concluded that ASD can be construed as an extreme case of diminished social motivation and, as such, provides a powerful model to understand humans' intrinsic drive to seek acceptance and avoid rejection.

TL;DR: Several new susceptibility genes encoding neuronal cell-adhesion molecules, including NLGN1 and ASTN2, were enriched with CNVs in ASD cases compared to controls, and duplications 55 kilobases upstream of complementary DNA AK123120 indicate that these two important gene networks expressed within the central nervous system may contribute to the genetic susceptibility of ASD.

TL;DR: The quantity and quality of research into autism and related conditions have increased dramatically in recent years as mentioned in this paper, and there has been significant advances in the molecular genetics of autism and understanding of the underlying neurobiological processes.

TL;DR: It is argued that the development of face perception and social cognitive skills are supported by the amygdala–fusiform system, and that deficits in this network are instrumental in causing autism.