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
‘Tour de force’ study flags fount of interneurons in human brain
The newly discovered cell type might point to the origins of the inhibitory imbalance linked to autism and other conditions.
‘Tour de force’ study flags fount of interneurons in human brain
By
Holly Barker
29 January 2026 | 4 min read
Astrocytes stabilize circuits in adult mouse brain
The glial cells secrete a protein that suppresses plasticity post-development.
Astrocytes stabilize circuits in adult mouse brain
By
Holly Barker
6 January 2026 | 5 min read
Among brain changes studied in autism, spotlight shifts to subcortex
The striatum and thalamus are more likely than the cerebral cortex to express autism variants or bear transcriptional changes, two unpublished studies find.
Among brain changes studied in autism, spotlight shifts to subcortex
By
Holly Barker
11 December 2025 | 5 min read
Home makeover helps rats better express themselves: Q&A with Raven Hickson and Peter Kind
The “Habitat”—a complex environment with space for large social groups—expands the behavioral repertoire of rodent models, Hickson and Kind say.
Home makeover helps rats better express themselves: Q&A with Raven Hickson and Peter Kind
By
Holly Barker
4 December 2025 | 0 min watch
Constellation of studies charts brain development, offers ‘dramatic revision’
The atlases could pinpoint pathways that determine the fate of cells linked to neurodevelopmental conditions.
Constellation of studies charts brain development, offers ‘dramatic revision’
By
Holly Barker
5 November 2025 | 6 min read
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“MacArthur genius” Kenneth Catania outlined the physiology behind the moles’ stellar foraging skills two decades ago. Next, he wants to better characterize their food-seeking behavior.
Neuro’s ark: Understanding fast foraging with star-nosed moles
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A reanalysis of the data revealed errors and failed to replicate the results.
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A reanalysis of the data revealed errors and failed to replicate the results.
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NIH scraps policy that classified basic research in people as clinical trials
The policy aimed to increase the transparency of research in humans but created “a bureaucratic nightmare” for basic neuroscientists.
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The policy aimed to increase the transparency of research in humans but created “a bureaucratic nightmare” for basic neuroscientists.
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3 February 2026 | 6 min read