Michael Fergensen was Spectrum’s engagement editor from 2022 to 2023. He was responsible for bringing Spectrum‘s award-winning content into the conversation on social media, producing webinars, and other efforts to engage with autism researchers and clinicians. Previously, Michael was social media manager at MedPage Today and, before that, an editorial assistant at Bearport Publishing. He holds a B.A. in English from SUNY Albany and a B.A. in teaching English from Brooklyn College.

Michael Fergenson
Former Engagement Editor
From this contributor
Neural recordings in freely moving mice; MBD5 variant
Researchers took to social media to discuss a new tool for recording brain activity in freely moving mice and a study linking a mutation in the gene MBD5 to epilepsy and intellectual disability. That and more in this week’s Community Newsletter.

Neural recordings in freely moving mice; MBD5 variant
Neuropixels probe; sex differences in brain anatomy
Researchers on social media reacted to a new version of the Neuropixels probe and a study of sex differences in the brain. That and more in this week’s Community Newsletter.

Neuropixels probe; sex differences in brain anatomy
Cerebral cortex genetics; calcium imaging of astrocytes
This week on social media, researchers discussed a genome-wide association study of the human cerebral cortex, how astrocytes integrate calcium signals, and more.

Cerebral cortex genetics; calcium imaging of astrocytes
Mitochondria and anxiety; brain structure in autism
Researchers reacted to a study of brain mitochondria and behavior in mice and a study of brain structure differences in autism and other conditions. That and more in this week’s Community Newsletter.

Mitochondria and anxiety; brain structure in autism
Cognitive mapping; PTEN in peripheral nerves
Researchers took to social media to discuss how cognitive maps form during learning. There was also talk about a study of peripheral nerves in mice missing PTEN, an autism-linked gene. That and more in this week’s Community Newsletter.

Cognitive mapping; PTEN in peripheral nerves
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Emotion research has a communication conundrum
In 2025, the words we use to describe emotions matter, but their definitions are controversial. Here, I unpack the different positions in this space and the rationales behind them—and I invite 13 experts to chime in.

Emotion research has a communication conundrum
In 2025, the words we use to describe emotions matter, but their definitions are controversial. Here, I unpack the different positions in this space and the rationales behind them—and I invite 13 experts to chime in.
Autism-linked copy number variants always boost autism likelihood
By contrast, varied doses of the same genes decrease or increase the odds of five other conditions, with distinct biological consequences, two new preprints show.

Autism-linked copy number variants always boost autism likelihood
By contrast, varied doses of the same genes decrease or increase the odds of five other conditions, with distinct biological consequences, two new preprints show.
Everything everywhere all at once: Decision-making signals engage entire brain
The findings, gleaned from the most comprehensive map yet of brain activity during decision-making in mice, show that the process is even more distributed than previously thought.

Everything everywhere all at once: Decision-making signals engage entire brain
The findings, gleaned from the most comprehensive map yet of brain activity during decision-making in mice, show that the process is even more distributed than previously thought.