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Name this network: Addressing huge inconsistencies across studies
Entrenched practices have stymied efforts to build a universal taxonomy of functional brain networks. But a new tool to standardize brain-imaging findings could bring us a step closer.
![An abstract illustration of boxes connected by lines](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200_brainnetworks-1-1024x683.webp)
Name this network: Addressing huge inconsistencies across studies
Entrenched practices have stymied efforts to build a universal taxonomy of functional brain networks. But a new tool to standardize brain-imaging findings could bring us a step closer.
People’s perceptions of ‘social’ animations don’t always square with researchers’ labels
The finding calls into question differences between autistic and non-autistic people on a decades-old theory-of-mind test involving interacting geometric shapes.
![Brain scans displaying activity in areas linked with social behavior.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/844-final-2.png)
People’s perceptions of ‘social’ animations don’t always square with researchers’ labels
The finding calls into question differences between autistic and non-autistic people on a decades-old theory-of-mind test involving interacting geometric shapes.
Brain networks diverge in autism by toddlerhood
By as early as age 2, autistic children appear to have a smaller salience network and a larger default mode network, among other differences, than children without the condition.
![a grid of 9 brain maps showing activity in different areas of the brain](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/autism-brain-networks-lede-844.png)
Brain networks diverge in autism by toddlerhood
By as early as age 2, autistic children appear to have a smaller salience network and a larger default mode network, among other differences, than children without the condition.
Imaging study casts doubt on cerebellum’s role in autism during infancy
Connections between the cerebellum and brain networks do not seem to contribute substantially to the emergence of autism traits.
![Baby getting an MRI scan](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/BiomarkersBaby844.jpg)
Imaging study casts doubt on cerebellum’s role in autism during infancy
Connections between the cerebellum and brain networks do not seem to contribute substantially to the emergence of autism traits.
Brain signal imbalance tracks with sex and with camouflaging autism traits
Autistic men show a greater imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling in the brain than autistic women do, which could explain sex differences in ‘camouflaging.’
![Brain images showing differences in signaling in autistic and normal brains.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200917-PrefrontalCortex844.jpg)
Brain signal imbalance tracks with sex and with camouflaging autism traits
Autistic men show a greater imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling in the brain than autistic women do, which could explain sex differences in ‘camouflaging.’
Rethinking ‘noise’ in autism research
Lucina Uddin says researchers should be cautious when analyzing their findings, because 'noisy' data may actually hold important information about brain functioning.
![Collage illustration showing Lucina Uddin portrait with eye movements and brain images](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/20200811-uddin844.jpg)
Rethinking ‘noise’ in autism research
Lucina Uddin says researchers should be cautious when analyzing their findings, because 'noisy' data may actually hold important information about brain functioning.
Brain responses to social stimuli may vary by sex in autism
Autistic girls’ brains respond more strongly to social stimuli than do autistic boys’.
![three teens chatting](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200630-SexDiffConnectivity-844.jpg)
Brain responses to social stimuli may vary by sex in autism
Autistic girls’ brains respond more strongly to social stimuli than do autistic boys’.
Brains of autistic people show unusual left-right symmetry
The hemispheres in autistic people’s brains are more symmetrical than those of their typical peers, but it is unclear what this difference means.
![Two sides of a 3D human brain showing different areas highlighted in various colors](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191205-Brain-symmetry844.jpg)
Brains of autistic people show unusual left-right symmetry
The hemispheres in autistic people’s brains are more symmetrical than those of their typical peers, but it is unclear what this difference means.
The connectivity theory of autism, explained
A growing body of evidence suggests that autism involves atypical communication between brain regions, but how and where in the brain this plays out is unclear.
![overlapping network of connections in the brain](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/20190501-ContradictoryConnect_844.jpg)
The connectivity theory of autism, explained
A growing body of evidence suggests that autism involves atypical communication between brain regions, but how and where in the brain this plays out is unclear.
Large set of brain scans reveals no telltale signs of autism
The brains of autistic children show few differences from those of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or even of controls.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/20190321-FunctionalNet-844-copy.jpg)
Large set of brain scans reveals no telltale signs of autism
The brains of autistic children show few differences from those of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or even of controls.
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.