GABA
Recent articles
Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis
Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.

Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis
Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.
Neurotransmitter switch-up helps fan extreme stress into full-blown fear
The flip occurs when certain neurons in the dorsal raphe start to express the chemical GABA instead of glutamate, a new study shows.

Neurotransmitter switch-up helps fan extreme stress into full-blown fear
The flip occurs when certain neurons in the dorsal raphe start to express the chemical GABA instead of glutamate, a new study shows.
Looking at eye tracking’s potential for clinical trials
This month’s Going on Trial newsletter explores how eye tracking might be used beyond helping with diagnosis, among other drug development news.

Looking at eye tracking’s potential for clinical trials
This month’s Going on Trial newsletter explores how eye tracking might be used beyond helping with diagnosis, among other drug development news.
Trials of arbaclofen for autism yield mixed results
Autistic children taking the drug showed improvements in some behaviors but not in their social skills.

Trials of arbaclofen for autism yield mixed results
Autistic children taking the drug showed improvements in some behaviors but not in their social skills.
Cannabis compound rebalances signaling to quell seizures in mice
Cannabidiol (CBD) blocks the action of a molecule that drives an overexcitability feedback loop in a rodent model of epilepsy.

Cannabis compound rebalances signaling to quell seizures in mice
Cannabidiol (CBD) blocks the action of a molecule that drives an overexcitability feedback loop in a rodent model of epilepsy.
Single gene insufficient to account for dup15q, Angelman traits
UBE3A, a key gene associated with both autism-linked conditions, can explain most — but not all — of the syndromes’ atypical neuronal properties.
Single gene insufficient to account for dup15q, Angelman traits
UBE3A, a key gene associated with both autism-linked conditions, can explain most — but not all — of the syndromes’ atypical neuronal properties.
Null and Noteworthy: Busting biomarkers; going after GABA; reproducibility illusion
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, scientists find little to be excited about in research on biomarkers for neurodevelopmental conditions.

Null and Noteworthy: Busting biomarkers; going after GABA; reproducibility illusion
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, scientists find little to be excited about in research on biomarkers for neurodevelopmental conditions.
Going on Trial: Arbaclofen reboot; cell implants; psilocybin microdoses
Going on Trial rounds up new developments in autism-related drug trials. This month we’re revisiting decade-old data from a trial of arbaclofen for fragile X syndrome and looking into a new implant-based approach to quelling seizures, among other treatment strategies.

Going on Trial: Arbaclofen reboot; cell implants; psilocybin microdoses
Going on Trial rounds up new developments in autism-related drug trials. This month we’re revisiting decade-old data from a trial of arbaclofen for fragile X syndrome and looking into a new implant-based approach to quelling seizures, among other treatment strategies.
Mouse studies cast astrocytes as stars of sensory perception
Data from two separate research teams suggest the cells are key to sensory hypersensitivity in fragile X syndrome.

Mouse studies cast astrocytes as stars of sensory perception
Data from two separate research teams suggest the cells are key to sensory hypersensitivity in fragile X syndrome.
Building a better drug
Iama Therapeutics is hoping a new class of molecule will prove successful against an old target in autism.

Building a better drug
Iama Therapeutics is hoping a new class of molecule will prove successful against an old target in autism.
Explore more from The Transmitter
ABCD Study omits gender-identity data from latest release
The removal counteracts the goals of the longitudinal study by “pretending that some aspects of adolescent brain development don’t exist,” says sex differences researcher Nicola Grissom.

ABCD Study omits gender-identity data from latest release
The removal counteracts the goals of the longitudinal study by “pretending that some aspects of adolescent brain development don’t exist,” says sex differences researcher Nicola Grissom.
Neuropeptides reprogram social roles in leafcutter ants
The mechanisms that control the labor roles of ants may also be conserved in naked mole rats, a new study shows.

Neuropeptides reprogram social roles in leafcutter ants
The mechanisms that control the labor roles of ants may also be conserved in naked mole rats, a new study shows.
Perspectives from the field: Opinions in autism research
This collection of Spectrum articles from the past 12 months highlights expert perspectives on autism’s heritability and its link to biological sex, the value of transdiagnostic frameworks, and the field’s future, among other topics.

Perspectives from the field: Opinions in autism research
This collection of Spectrum articles from the past 12 months highlights expert perspectives on autism’s heritability and its link to biological sex, the value of transdiagnostic frameworks, and the field’s future, among other topics.