2019: Year in review
Five hot topics in autism research in 2019
This year’s hot topics in autism research center around brain organoids, heart rate, the gut microbiome, treatment timing and early detection.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20190510-Organoid1120FINAL_844.jpg)
Five hot topics in autism research in 2019
This year’s hot topics in autism research center around brain organoids, heart rate, the gut microbiome, treatment timing and early detection.
In case you missed them: Spectrum’s standout stories from 2019
Here are seven Spectrum stories from this year that deserve a close look.
![Illustration of a storefront with stem cell treatments](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Stem844.jpg)
In case you missed them: Spectrum’s standout stories from 2019
Here are seven Spectrum stories from this year that deserve a close look.
Photographer captures intimate scenes of daily life with autism
An award-winning photography series offers a close look at one autistic person coming of age in New York City.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/LiamProud844.jpg)
Photographer captures intimate scenes of daily life with autism
An award-winning photography series offers a close look at one autistic person coming of age in New York City.
Notable papers in autism research in 2019
This year’s top papers deepen our understanding of autism’s genetics and reveal mixed results from trials of autism therapies.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/10.jpg)
Notable papers in autism research in 2019
This year’s top papers deepen our understanding of autism’s genetics and reveal mixed results from trials of autism therapies.
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.