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
New ‘decoder’ tool translates functional neuroimaging terms across labs
The compendium of brain-parcellation atlases makes it possible to compare large-scale network data, which often involves different and overlapping network names.
New ‘decoder’ tool translates functional neuroimaging terms across labs
By
Holly Barker
23 July 2024 | 4 min read
Brain organoid size matches intensity of social problems in autistic people
Overgrown organoids could point to mechanisms underlying profound autism.
Brain organoid size matches intensity of social problems in autistic people
By
Holly Barker
18 July 2024 | 5 min read
Connectivity takes U-turn in people with rare autism-linked mutations
Patterns of brain connectivity shift during puberty in people with deletion of the 22q11.2 chromosomal region.
Connectivity takes U-turn in people with rare autism-linked mutations
By
Holly Barker
30 May 2024 | 4 min read
Neurons making memories shush their neighbors
When neurons strengthen their synapses, they “infect” surrounding cells with a virus-like protein to weaken those cells’ excitatory connections, according to a new preprint.
Neurons making memories shush their neighbors
By
Holly Barker
22 March 2024 | 5 min read
Microglial overreaction to atypical neurons may drive autism
In mice and organoids lacking a neuronal protein, microglia prune synapses to excess.
Microglial overreaction to atypical neurons may drive autism
By
Holly Barker
21 March 2024 | 5 min read
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