Paroma Basu
Freelance writer
Simons Foundation
From this contributor
Autism impedes ability to read body language
A glitch in visual processing may explain why people with autism struggle to gauge emotions from the body language of others, according to a study published in the journal Neuropsychologia. Watch the video
New ‘mirror neurons’ reflect the attention of others
Studying a new type of mirror neuron may help researchers better understand the brain impairments underlying characteristic deficits of autism.

New ‘mirror neurons’ reflect the attention of others
Visual contrast drives face recognition, study finds
The answer to a long-standing mystery in visual neuroscience may also help explain how people with autism perceive faces, according to a study published in March in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Visual contrast drives face recognition, study finds
Experts question study touting hyperbaric therapy for autism
A much-publicized study reporting social and cognitive improvements in children with autism who breathed pure oxygen in a high-pressure chamber has met with skepticism from other autism researchers.

Experts question study touting hyperbaric therapy for autism
Explore more from The Transmitter
Human brain may anticipate looming contagion
Seeing a visibly ill avatar in virtual reality activates a neuroimmune pathway in brain areas related to peripersonal space and prompts an immune response, a small new study suggests.

Human brain may anticipate looming contagion
Seeing a visibly ill avatar in virtual reality activates a neuroimmune pathway in brain areas related to peripersonal space and prompts an immune response, a small new study suggests.
What U.S. science stands to lose without international graduate students and postdoctoral researchers
Neuroscience in other countries will strengthen—at the United States’ expense—as rising visa restrictions and rejections block many international students from enrolling at U.S. institutions and dissuade others from applying.

What U.S. science stands to lose without international graduate students and postdoctoral researchers
Neuroscience in other countries will strengthen—at the United States’ expense—as rising visa restrictions and rejections block many international students from enrolling at U.S. institutions and dissuade others from applying.
New dopamine sensor powers three-color imaging in live animals
The tool leverages a previously unused segment of the color spectrum to track the neurotransmitter and can be used with two additional sensors to monitor other neurochemicals at different wavelengths.

New dopamine sensor powers three-color imaging in live animals
The tool leverages a previously unused segment of the color spectrum to track the neurotransmitter and can be used with two additional sensors to monitor other neurochemicals at different wavelengths.