Jacob Brogan is a journalist covering technology, medicine and culture. He holds a PhD in English Literature from Cornell University and lives in Washington, D.C.

Jacob Brogan
From this contributor
Spectrum Stories: Autism, in a manner of speaking
In this episode of “Spectrum Stories,” host Jacob Brogan explains how speech — from its rhythm to its emotional content — can differ in people with autism, making social communication difficult.

Spectrum Stories: Autism, in a manner of speaking
Spectrum Stories: Talking about autism mouse models
Scientists discuss the problems with using mice to study autism, and explain how the field might move forward.

Spectrum Stories: Talking about autism mouse models
Spectrum Stories: Camouflaging autism traits
In this episode, host Jacob Brogan explores how and why some women try to hide their autism. There are benefits to keeping the condition concealed, but this camouflaging comes with psychological costs.
Spectrum Stories: Shifting cultural views about autism abroad
In this episode, host Jacob Brogan talks to autism researchers and families with children on the spectrum in France and Ethiopia. However different the two countries may be, advocates in both places are working to overturn outdated beliefs about autism that blame parents and block access to evidence-backed services and treatment.

Spectrum Stories: Shifting cultural views about autism abroad
Spectrum Stories: Where autism meets sleeplessness
Scientists are trying to understand why people with autism so often have trouble sleeping, and how to help them.

Spectrum Stories: Where autism meets sleeplessness
Explore more from The Transmitter
Null and Noteworthy: Neurons tracking sequences don’t fire in order
Instead, neurons encode the position of sequential items in working memory based on when they fire during ongoing brain wave oscillations—a finding that challenges a long-standing theory.

Null and Noteworthy: Neurons tracking sequences don’t fire in order
Instead, neurons encode the position of sequential items in working memory based on when they fire during ongoing brain wave oscillations—a finding that challenges a long-standing theory.
How to teach this paper: ‘Neurotoxic reactive astrocytes are induced by activated microglia,’ by Liddelow et al. (2017)
Shane Liddelow and his collaborators identified the factors that transform astrocytes from their helpful to harmful form. Their work is a great choice if you want to teach students about glial cell types, cell culture, gene expression or protein measurement.

How to teach this paper: ‘Neurotoxic reactive astrocytes are induced by activated microglia,’ by Liddelow et al. (2017)
Shane Liddelow and his collaborators identified the factors that transform astrocytes from their helpful to harmful form. Their work is a great choice if you want to teach students about glial cell types, cell culture, gene expression or protein measurement.
Astrocytes sense neuromodulators to orchestrate neuronal activity and shape behavior
Astrocytes serve as crucial mediators of neuromodulatory processes previously attributed to direct communication between neurons, four new studies show.

Astrocytes sense neuromodulators to orchestrate neuronal activity and shape behavior
Astrocytes serve as crucial mediators of neuromodulatory processes previously attributed to direct communication between neurons, four new studies show.