Alla Katsnelson is a freelance writer based in Southampton, Massachusetts.
![Headshot of Alla Katsnelson.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/300-alla-katsnelson.webp)
Alla Katsnelson
Contributing Writer
Spectrum
From this contributor
Autism-linked proteins mingle with other molecules in overlapping networks
A massive new set of interaction maps illuminates especially high convergence in protein networks related to autism and shows how mutations could disrupt those networks.
![A diagram of autism-linked genes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-spectrum-autism-protein-atlas-1024x683.webp)
Autism-linked proteins mingle with other molecules in overlapping networks
Sheena Josselyn and memories lost, found and created
Her hunt for the engram opened a new avenue in memory research.
![Portrait of scientist Sheena Josselyn behind a window, with a reflection over her face.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SheenaJosselynLedehorizontal200-1024x692.webp)
Sheena Josselyn and memories lost, found and created
AI model helps decode brain activity underlying conversation
A text-predicting chatbot parses text from conversations in a way that parallels brain-activity patterns associated with speech production and comprehension.
![Research image of brain activity during conversation.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/844-AI-model-brain-activity-conversation-autism.png.png)
AI model helps decode brain activity underlying conversation
Autism-linked chromatin regulators may moonlight as microtubule influencers
Five autism-linked genes widely known as chromatin regulators appear to also shape the cell’s internal skeleton.
![Research image of the protein CHD2.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/microtubule-biology-autism-844.jpg)
Autism-linked chromatin regulators may moonlight as microtubule influencers
Highly expressed genes may buffer against autism-linked mutations in girls
Such high expression levels may account for the condition’s sex bias, a new preprint suggests — but not everyone agrees with that logic.
![Figure showing an analysis of gene expression in cells across development.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/lede-844-genes-buffer-autism-mutation-girls.png)
Highly expressed genes may buffer against autism-linked mutations in girls
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.