Virginia Gewin is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon.
Virginia Gewin
Freelance Writer
SFARI
From this contributor
Scientists find molecular player in Angelman syndrome
Two independent teams have discovered key molecular steps in the way a single gene disrupts the connections between neurons in individuals with Angelman syndrome. Because the gene, UBE3A, has also been linked to autism, the findings could help scientists understand and treat a range of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Scientists find molecular player in Angelman syndrome
By
Virginia Gewin
27 April 2010 | 7 min read
Postmortem brains point to impaired inhibition in autism
Researchers have found a higher density of several types of interneurons — nerve cells that connect sensory and motor neurons in the brain— in postmortem brain tissue from individuals with autism, compared with healthy controls. The findings appear in the February issue of Acta Neurologica Scandinavica.
Postmortem brains point to impaired inhibition in autism
By
Virginia Gewin
4 March 2010 | 7 min read
Loss of inhibitory neurons marks autism mouse models
Autism may be the result of faulty wiring that occurs during early brain development, according to two independent studies that looked at the origins of circuit disruption.
Loss of inhibitory neurons marks autism mouse models
By
Virginia Gewin
24 November 2009 | 8 min read
Autism marked by altered trajectory of brain growth
Although the head overall is bigger in some children with autism, researchers have found more informative differences in size — some smaller, some larger — across regions of the brain.
Autism marked by altered trajectory of brain growth
By
Virginia Gewin
3 November 2009 | 8 min read
Eye-tracking brings focus to ‘theory of mind’
People with Asperger syndrome don't automatically show 'theory of mind', the ability to understand the desires and beliefs of others, according to a report published 16 July in Science. Instead, they seem to use deliberate reasoning to understand social behaviors, learned after years of practice in the real world. Watch the video
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Null and Noteworthy: Learning theory validated 20 years later
The first published paper from the EEGManyLabs replication project nullifies a null result that had complicated a famous reinforcement learning theory.
Null and Noteworthy: Learning theory validated 20 years later
The first published paper from the EEGManyLabs replication project nullifies a null result that had complicated a famous reinforcement learning theory.
By
Laura Dattaro
30 May 2025 | 4 min read
Neuroscientist Gerry Fischbach, in his own words
In 2023, I had the privilege of sitting down with Gerry over the course of several days and listening as he told the story of his life and career—including stints as dean or director of such leading institutions as Columbia University and NINDS—so that we could record it for posterity.
Neuroscientist Gerry Fischbach, in his own words
In 2023, I had the privilege of sitting down with Gerry over the course of several days and listening as he told the story of his life and career—including stints as dean or director of such leading institutions as Columbia University and NINDS—so that we could record it for posterity.
By
Ivan Oransky
30 May 2025 | 2 min read
Amina Abubakar translates autism research and care for Kenya
First an educator and now an internationally recognized researcher, the Kenyan psychologist is changing autism science and services in sub-Saharan Africa.
Amina Abubakar translates autism research and care for Kenya
First an educator and now an internationally recognized researcher, the Kenyan psychologist is changing autism science and services in sub-Saharan Africa.
By
Ruth Kadide Keah
29 May 2025 | 7 min read