Emily Casanova is research assistant professor of biomedical sciences at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/11.17.16.jpg)
Emily Casanova
Research assistant professor
University of South Carolina
From this contributor
How the autonomic nervous system may govern anxiety in autism
The branch of the nervous system that regulates subconscious bodily processes such as breathing and digestion may play a key role in autism.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20200114-Cassanova8441.jpg)
How the autonomic nervous system may govern anxiety in autism
What Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can teach us about autism
Not much is known about the connection between autism and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition that affects collagen. But preliminary work provides tantalizing clues.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/EhlersDanlos-Casanova844.jpg)
What Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can teach us about autism
Evolution of autism genes hints at their fundamental roles in body
Genes associated with autism are ancient, and mutations in them have wide-ranging effects on the body, indicating their importance.
![primordial soup of ancient genes and single celled organisms](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/20190530-Casanova-Ancientgene844.jpg)
Evolution of autism genes hints at their fundamental roles in body
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.