Biomarkers
Data access changes to UK Biobank stir unease in neuroscientists
“I feel a little bit in limbo,” says neuroscientist Stephanie Noble, who has paused a study using Biobank data after the repository shifted from a data download to a cloud-only access model.
![A digitally distorted image of a file folder against a blue gradient background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/funkydata-1200-1024x692.webp)
Data access changes to UK Biobank stir unease in neuroscientists
“I feel a little bit in limbo,” says neuroscientist Stephanie Noble, who has paused a study using Biobank data after the repository shifted from a data download to a cloud-only access model.
Crowdsourcing to curb aggression in autism: Q&A with Matthew Goodwin
To accelerate the development of real-time behavioral prediction technology, a research team is sharing data and seeking new collaborators.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Goodwin-Empatica-1200-1024x692.webp)
Crowdsourcing to curb aggression in autism: Q&A with Matthew Goodwin
To accelerate the development of real-time behavioral prediction technology, a research team is sharing data and seeking new collaborators.
Autism subgroups converge on cell growth pathway
Faulty mTOR signaling, implicated in syndromic forms of autism, also hinders cells grown from people with idiopathic autism or autism-linked deletions on chromosome 16.
![Neural progenitor cells in a culture medium, color-enhanced scanning electron micrograph (SEM).](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/844-autism-forms-converge-cell-growth-pathway.jpg)
Autism subgroups converge on cell growth pathway
Faulty mTOR signaling, implicated in syndromic forms of autism, also hinders cells grown from people with idiopathic autism or autism-linked deletions on chromosome 16.
Mutation in top autism-linked gene may alter eye reflex
The discovery could help clinicians diagnose children who carry mutations in the gene, called SCN2A, and gauge their responses to potential therapies.
![A slice of a cerebellum.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-lede-cerebellar-plasticity-autism-1024x692.png)
Mutation in top autism-linked gene may alter eye reflex
The discovery could help clinicians diagnose children who carry mutations in the gene, called SCN2A, and gauge their responses to potential therapies.
New tablet-based tools to spot autism draw excitement — and questions
Handheld devices promise to bring autism detection home, but many researchers urge caution.
![A child uses a tablet device](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-autism-app-tablet-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x683.webp)
New tablet-based tools to spot autism draw excitement — and questions
Handheld devices promise to bring autism detection home, but many researchers urge caution.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
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.
![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)
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.
Common genetic variants shape the structure of the cortex
A genome-wide association study lays a foundation for deeper investigation of these variants in neurodevelopmental conditions.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-final-1.png)
Common genetic variants shape the structure of the cortex
A genome-wide association study lays a foundation for deeper investigation of these variants in neurodevelopmental conditions.
Tablet-based tool to spot autism validated in two studies
The new tool could help clinicians diagnose autism in children younger than 3, the findings show.
![Research images from an eye-tracking study.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Eye-Tracking-autism-Choi-811.jpg)
Tablet-based tool to spot autism validated in two studies
The new tool could help clinicians diagnose autism in children younger than 3, the findings show.
Trials test utility of EEG biomarkers for autism-related conditions
This month’s Going on Trial newsletter dives into an electroencephalography biomarker that could track the efficacy of treatments for dup15q and Angelman syndromes, 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)
Trials test utility of EEG biomarkers for autism-related conditions
This month’s Going on Trial newsletter dives into an electroencephalography biomarker that could track the efficacy of treatments for dup15q and Angelman syndromes, among other drug development news.
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.