Alternative medicine
Recent articles
Why hype for autism stem cell therapies continues despite dead ends
After numerous tests, there is still no evidence that these experimental treatments help, so now is not the time to expand access to them.

Why hype for autism stem cell therapies continues despite dead ends
After numerous tests, there is still no evidence that these experimental treatments help, so now is not the time to expand access to them.
Factors other than autism traits guide therapies for autistic children
Most autistic children in the Netherlands have used some sort of treatment, but the number, type and timing varies depending on considerations unrelated to their condition.

Factors other than autism traits guide therapies for autistic children
Most autistic children in the Netherlands have used some sort of treatment, but the number, type and timing varies depending on considerations unrelated to their condition.
Tripping over the potential of psychedelics for autism
Drugs such as LSD act primarily on the serotonin system, which is implicated in autism — and some autistic people who experiment with psychoactive compounds report enhanced social connections, among other benefits. But researchers have more questions than answers.

Tripping over the potential of psychedelics for autism
Drugs such as LSD act primarily on the serotonin system, which is implicated in autism — and some autistic people who experiment with psychoactive compounds report enhanced social connections, among other benefits. But researchers have more questions than answers.
Study finds little evidence to back cord-blood therapy for autism
An infusion of umbilical cord blood does not improve social skills in autistic children, according to results from the largest, most rigorous test of the therapy for autism to date.

Study finds little evidence to back cord-blood therapy for autism
An infusion of umbilical cord blood does not improve social skills in autistic children, according to results from the largest, most rigorous test of the therapy for autism to date.
U.S. agency warns company marketing ‘stem cells’ for autism
Two agency letters put California-based Liveyon on warning and alert the public to the risks associated with stem-cell based therapies for autism.

U.S. agency warns company marketing ‘stem cells’ for autism
Two agency letters put California-based Liveyon on warning and alert the public to the risks associated with stem-cell based therapies for autism.
Experts question rationale for stem cell trial for autism
Results from a new trial suggest that it's safe to treat autistic children with umbilical cord stem cells. But parents must pay for the pricey infusions, and no one knows how or if the cells work.

Experts question rationale for stem cell trial for autism
Results from a new trial suggest that it's safe to treat autistic children with umbilical cord stem cells. But parents must pay for the pricey infusions, and no one knows how or if the cells work.
Supplements, worms and stool: How families are trying to game the gut to treat autism traits
Scientists are playing catch-up as microbiome-based treatments for autism proliferate.

Supplements, worms and stool: How families are trying to game the gut to treat autism traits
Scientists are playing catch-up as microbiome-based treatments for autism proliferate.
Straightening out chiropractic’s claim as a treatment for autism
Some chiropractors advertise that they can treat autism, but there's no evidence to back that claim.

Straightening out chiropractic’s claim as a treatment for autism
Some chiropractors advertise that they can treat autism, but there's no evidence to back that claim.
False hope for autism in the stem-cell underground
Parents of autistic children are paying tens of thousands of dollars for stem cell therapies that often use medical waste. Despite the risks, regulators have been slow to act.

False hope for autism in the stem-cell underground
Parents of autistic children are paying tens of thousands of dollars for stem cell therapies that often use medical waste. Despite the risks, regulators have been slow to act.
Ecstasy ingredient touted as treatment for anxiety in autism
The active ingredient in the drug popularly known as ecstasy eases social anxiety in people with autism.

Ecstasy ingredient touted as treatment for anxiety in autism
The active ingredient in the drug popularly known as ecstasy eases social anxiety in people with autism.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Worms help untangle brain structure/function mystery
The synaptic connectome of most animals bears little resemblance to functional brain maps, but it can still predict neuronal activity, according to two preprints that tackle the puzzle in C. elegans.

Worms help untangle brain structure/function mystery
The synaptic connectome of most animals bears little resemblance to functional brain maps, but it can still predict neuronal activity, according to two preprints that tackle the puzzle in C. elegans.
Microglia nurture young interneurons
The immune cells secrete a growth factor that “sets the supply of GABAergic interneurons in the developing brain.”

Microglia nurture young interneurons
The immune cells secrete a growth factor that “sets the supply of GABAergic interneurons in the developing brain.”
Xaq Pitkow shares his principles for studying cognition in our imperfect brains and bodies
Pitkow discusses how evolution's messy constraints shape optimal brain algorithms, from Bayesian inference to ecological affordances.
Xaq Pitkow shares his principles for studying cognition in our imperfect brains and bodies
Pitkow discusses how evolution's messy constraints shape optimal brain algorithms, from Bayesian inference to ecological affordances.