Holly Barker is a freelance writer specializing in biology, medicine and psychology. She has a Ph.D. in clinical neuroscience from King’s College London in the United Kingdom and a B.Sc. degree in biochemistry from the University of Manchester. She has previously written for Discover and BioNews. She is based in London.
Holly Barker
Contributing writer
From this contributor
Worms help untangle brain structure/function mystery
The synaptic connectome of most animals bears little resemblance to functional brain maps, but it can still predict neuronal activity, according to two preprints that tackle the puzzle in C. elegans.
Worms help untangle brain structure/function mystery
By
Holly Barker
29 August 2025 | 9 min listen
Oxytocin prompts prairie voles to oust outsiders, fortifying their friendships
The “love hormone” drives the neurobiology behind platonic bonds in animals usually studied for their romantic attachments.
Oxytocin prompts prairie voles to oust outsiders, fortifying their friendships
By
Holly Barker
8 August 2025 | 8 min listen
Genetic background steers PTEN syndrome traits
People with the syndrome, caused by variants in the gene PTEN, often have autism or cancer, or both, but it depends on the genetic diversity encoded in the components of distinct cell signaling pathways, according to a new study.
Some dopamine neurons signal default behaviors to reinforce habits
Movement-sensing neurons that target the striatum influence a mouse’s choice of action by favoring routine.
Some dopamine neurons signal default behaviors to reinforce habits
By
Holly Barker
11 June 2025 | 5 min listen
Split gene therapy delivers promise in mice modeling Dravet syndrome
The new approach overcomes viral packaging limitations by delivering SCN1A piecemeal and stitching it together in target cells.
Split gene therapy delivers promise in mice modeling Dravet syndrome
By
Holly Barker
10 April 2025 | 5 min read
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The Scripps neuroscientist calls for a broader theoretical neuroscience approach in her area of research, which focuses on how the subcortex bridges life and cognition.
Ann Kennedy explains the theoretical neuroscience of survival behaviors
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Paul Middlebrooks
24 September 2025 | 1 min read
Local circuit loops within body control fly behavior, new ‘embodied’ connectome reveals
The mapping, which traces how the central nervous system interacts with the rest of the body, challenges the idea that behavior control is centralized.
Local circuit loops within body control fly behavior, new ‘embodied’ connectome reveals
The mapping, which traces how the central nervous system interacts with the rest of the body, challenges the idea that behavior control is centralized.
By
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24 September 2025 | 5 min listen
Impaired sensory learning in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 22 September.
Impaired sensory learning in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome; and more
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By
Jill Adams
23 September 2025 | 2 min read