Polina Porotskaya is a former intern at Spectrum and a graduate student in the Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program at New York University. Polina writes about neuroscience, biology and medicine. She has a B.A. in neuroscience from Columbia University.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/IMG_3500.jpg)
Polina Porotskaya
From this contributor
Inside a summer camp for autistic children in Russia
Photographs show how a camp in St. Petersburg this summer helped children on the spectrum and their families find some fun during the pandemic.
![young autistic girl in playroom with a tennis ball that matches her yellow dyed hair.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200901-RussiaPhotos-844.jpg)
Inside a summer camp for autistic children in Russia
Cell stress may sap organoids’ usefulness in autism research
Some cells in brain organoids — 3D clusters of cultured brain cells — fail to develop fully.
![Brain organoid cells look different than those in embryonic brain tissue-grid of six images show growth of both types over time.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20200226-CorticalOrganoids844.jpg)
Cell stress may sap organoids’ usefulness in autism research
Diabetes drug delivers multiple benefits for people with fragile X syndrome
Researcher Randi Hagerman is a big proponent of metformin — a diabetes drug that she is testing in people with fragile X syndrome. In fact, Hagerman takes the drug herself as a preventive measure against cancer.
![Colorful figure with a circle shape (a pill) and an orange X in the background symbolizing Fragile X](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190917-McCarthy844.jpg)
Diabetes drug delivers multiple benefits for people with fragile X syndrome
Mutations in sperm may accrue too slowly to increase autism risk
A new analysis challenges the idea that mutations in the sperm of older fathers lead to higher rates of autism among their children.
![Older father carries son in reed baseball cap](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190905-PaternalAge844.jpg)
Mutations in sperm may accrue too slowly to increase autism risk
New maps of neuronal connections reveal roundworms’ wiring
Two new maps show the entire nervous system of the adult roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/20190830-Connectomes844.jpg)
New maps of neuronal connections reveal roundworms’ wiring
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.