Jeanne Erdmann is an award-winning health and science writer based in Wentzville, Mo. A member of Association of
Health Care Journalists board of directors, she is the chair of the organization’s Freelance Committee. Her work has appeared in Discover, Women’s Health, Aeon, Slate, The Washington Post, Nature, Nature Medicine and other publications. You can follow her at @jeanne_erdmann.
Jeanne Erdmann
From this contributor
Analysis pins down prevalence of mental health conditions in autism
Eight mental health conditions occur unusually often in autistic people, a new analysis suggests.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/191004-coocurring844.jpg)
Analysis pins down prevalence of mental health conditions in autism
Drug screen reveals potential treatments for Rett syndrome
An experimental leukemia drug and a chemical in black pepper ease breathing and movement problems in a mouse model of Rett syndrome.
![triangle effect digital rendering shows the shapes of a red neuron network](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190912-RettMecp2-844.jpg)
Drug screen reveals potential treatments for Rett syndrome
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.