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
Number of autism-linked genes more than triples in new analyses
In addition to a new preprint that expands the list of genes tied to the condition, two related analyses reveal how variants in those genes contribute to genetic susceptibility.
Number of autism-linked genes more than triples in new analyses
By
Holly Barker
8 October 2026 | 6 min read
Cerebellar neurons reorient brain activity to differentiate similar behaviors
The findings provide a new perspective on how granule cells help to generalize learning across tasks.
Cerebellar neurons reorient brain activity to differentiate similar behaviors
By
Holly Barker
29 September 2026 | 4 min read
Polarized cortical organoids mimic the brain’s regional organization
The organoids show region-specific gene-expression changes that match those observed during fetal development.
Polarized cortical organoids mimic the brain’s regional organization
By
Holly Barker
24 September 2026 | 4 min read
Neuropsychiatric MRI brain signatures fail reproducibility test
Small neuroimaging studies are unlikely to capture consistent anatomical changes related to conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and mood disorders, according to a new “wake-up call” study.
Neuropsychiatric MRI brain signatures fail reproducibility test
By
Holly Barker
12 August 2026 | 5 min read
Cortical territories compete in developmental space race
Sensory and association regions are established through a reciprocal process, according to a new model of cortical development.
Cortical territories compete in developmental space race
By
Holly Barker
30 July 2026 | 5 min read
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University probe leads to retraction of four neural tube studies
The University of Maryland conducted an internal investigation that identified image duplications and other data integrity issues in the studies, according to the retraction notices.
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16 October 2026 | 6 min read
Highly cited autism paper earns expression of concern over data duplications
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16 October 2026 | 4 min read