Esther Landhuis is a freelance science writer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, Science, Science News for Students and Alzheimer Research Forum, among other publications. She has extensive experience reporting on neurodegenerative brain disorders. She has a Ph.D. in immunology from Harvard University. She tweets @elandhuis.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/esther..jpg)
Esther Landhuis
From this contributor
Elizabeth Berry-Kravis: Running a marathon for fragile X syndrome
Elizabeth Berry-Kravis has spent decades uncovering molecular clues to fragile X syndrome and crafting trials of treatments. Her efforts are paying off.
![Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis stretching during a run.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20210526-BKravis-Lead844.jpg)
Elizabeth Berry-Kravis: Running a marathon for fragile X syndrome
Drug boosts cognition in men with fragile X syndrome
A drug that prevents an enzyme from breaking down a key molecule involved in learning and memory improved cognition and behavior in a small study of men with fragile X syndrome.
![three black and white monkey brain views next to three color versions showing the a drug target area colored red.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/20210429FragileXbreaking844.jpg)
Drug boosts cognition in men with fragile X syndrome
Gene-editing tool used to map lineage of cells
Researchers have repurposed CRISPR, the popular gene-editing tool, for tracing cell lineages in whole organisms.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160629-gestaltZebrafish.844.jpg)
Gene-editing tool used to map lineage of cells
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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.