Autism and Human Intelligence: A Complex Evolutionary Connection
September 29, 2025
New research suggests that the prevalence of autism may be intricately linked to evolutionary changes in the human brain. The swift evolution of specific neurons and alterations in genes associated with autism appear to have had a role in advancing human language and cognition. However, this evolutionary benefit might have come with a trade-off, potentially slowing brain development in children and increasing incidences of autism.