Andrea Anderson
Freelance Writer
SFARI
From this contributor
Aging fathers, selfish testes and neurocognitive disorders
Certain mutations may hijack the normal mechanisms of sperm production, leading to an enrichment of mutant sperm in older fathers, and to the paternal-age effect in autism.
![Illustration of a group of white sperm cells on a gray background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1200-aging-fathers-selfish-testes-neurocognitive-disorders.webp)
Aging fathers, selfish testes and neurocognitive disorders
Exploring sleep in children with autism
Many children with autism have problems with sleep, which can worsen symptoms of the disorder. A better understanding of sleep in autism may help reveal the mechanisms of autism and point to potential treatments, say Ruth O'Hara and Michelle Primeau.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2013-folder/images-viewpoint-2013/20130730viewpointsleep.jpg)
Exploring sleep in children with autism
A global vision for autism with community solutions
A global approach to understanding autism that respects the uniqueness of different communities is not a choice, but a necessity, says Mayada Elsabbagh.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2013-folder/images-viewpoint-2013/20130716viewpointculture.jpg)
A global vision for autism with community solutions
Amygdala and autism’s checkered history
To understand the amygdala’s role in autism, researchers should study its connections with other brain structures and explore its role in development, says Ralph Adolphs.
Small pieces of RNA may pave path to autism
The discovery of microRNAs that regulate gene expression has changed our view of cellular biochemistry. It may also change our perception of neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, says Peng Jin.
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.