Arbaclofen
Going on Trial: Gene therapy for Rett; return to arbaclofen
This month’s newsletter looks at the early safety data from the first gene therapy trial for Rett syndrome, among other drug development news.
![Illustration of a sheet of red and white pills, with the red pills arranged in the form of a question mark.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/844-going-on-trial-autism-drugs-02.jpg)
Going on Trial: Gene therapy for Rett; return to arbaclofen
This month’s newsletter looks at the early safety data from the first gene therapy trial for Rett syndrome, among other drug development news.
Multi-lab study hints at benefits of long-tested autism drug
The results lend support for clinical trials of arbaclofen in people with an autism-linked condition, the researchers say.
Multi-lab study hints at benefits of long-tested autism drug
The results lend support for clinical trials of arbaclofen in people with an autism-linked condition, the researchers say.
Swings and misses with Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
A careful clinician who prizes evidence, Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele is happy to embrace trial failures, as long as he learns from them.
![Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele looks directly into the camera with a calm expression in a close up shot.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Jeremy_Veenstra-VanderWeele_autism-1200.jpg)
Swings and misses with Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
A careful clinician who prizes evidence, Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele is happy to embrace trial failures, as long as he learns from them.
Null and Noteworthy: Arbaclofen results; another oxytocin edition
New data from clinical trials of arbaclofen and oxytocin underscore the murkiness of null results. Plus, researchers seek clarity on the neurodevelopmental effects of oxytocin during childbirth.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/lights_03-scaled.jpg)
Null and Noteworthy: Arbaclofen results; another oxytocin edition
New data from clinical trials of arbaclofen and oxytocin underscore the murkiness of null results. Plus, researchers seek clarity on the neurodevelopmental effects of oxytocin during childbirth.
Trials of arbaclofen for autism yield mixed results
Autistic children taking the drug showed improvements in some behaviors but not in their social skills.
![Photograph of white pills and blister pack on blue pastel colored background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/844-arbaclofen-CR-autism-INSAR.jpg)
Trials of arbaclofen for autism yield mixed results
Autistic children taking the drug showed improvements in some behaviors but not in their social skills.
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.
![A hand reaches from above to add a pill to a stack that is resting against the x-axis of a graph.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/844-going-on-trial-autism-drugs-01.jpg)
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.
Visual task flags autistic people who respond to GABA agonists
The investigational drug arbaclofen makes autistic people's brains respond to a visual task more like non-autistic people's brains do.
![Visual stimulus of 4 circles with black and white stripes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GabaBStripe844.jpg)
Visual task flags autistic people who respond to GABA agonists
The investigational drug arbaclofen makes autistic people's brains respond to a visual task more like non-autistic people's brains do.
Autism-related conditions linked to altered visual perception
A test of binocular rivalry may distinguish between autism subtypes and help researchers screen the efficacy of certain drugs.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GABABinocular-844.jpg)
Autism-related conditions linked to altered visual perception
A test of binocular rivalry may distinguish between autism subtypes and help researchers screen the efficacy of certain drugs.
Brain’s prefrontal cortex conducts symphony of social players
A brain region that orchestrates responses to social cues and aids decision-making may be off tempo in autism.
Brain’s prefrontal cortex conducts symphony of social players
A brain region that orchestrates responses to social cues and aids decision-making may be off tempo in autism.
Study calls into question chemical messenger’s role in autism
New results from brain scans of adults with autism are at odds with the popular theory that the condition involves weak brakes on brain activity.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20181029-GABAA-844.jpg)
Study calls into question chemical messenger’s role in autism
New results from brain scans of adults with autism are at odds with the popular theory that the condition involves weak brakes on brain activity.
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.