Diagnostic imaging
Christine Wu Nordahl, doing whatever it takes to get good data
The head of the Autism Phenome Project has deepened the pool of study participants and helped overhaul the culture of the MIND Institute.
![Sunlit portrait photograph of Christine Wu Nordahl.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1200-lede-transmitter-neuroscience-nordahl-1024x683.webp)
Christine Wu Nordahl, doing whatever it takes to get good data
The head of the Autism Phenome Project has deepened the pool of study participants and helped overhaul the culture of the MIND Institute.
Is excess brain fluid an early marker of autism?
Brain scans of hundreds of infants suggest that up to 80 percent of those with autism have unusual amounts of cerebrospinal fluid. Researchers are studying how this might contribute to the condition.
![A grid of four brain scans showing excess cerebrospinal fluid.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1200-CSF-trends-autism-lede-final.png)
Is excess brain fluid an early marker of autism?
Brain scans of hundreds of infants suggest that up to 80 percent of those with autism have unusual amounts of cerebrospinal fluid. Researchers are studying how this might contribute to the condition.
Amygdala-linked brain areas grow differently in autism
The growth differences vary between autistic boys and girls and are most apparent among children with prominent social difficulties.
![A cross-section of the human brain and limbic system](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Amygdala-Connected-brain-autism-844.jpg)
Amygdala-linked brain areas grow differently in autism
The growth differences vary between autistic boys and girls and are most apparent among children with prominent social difficulties.
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.
Abridged autism assessment speeds access to therapy
A new strategy for diagnosing autism shortens the evaluation process — and the wait for answers.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Gertz_1120x550.jpg)
Abridged autism assessment speeds access to therapy
A new strategy for diagnosing autism shortens the evaluation process — and the wait for answers.
Late-life diagnosis; narrated brain stimulation; microglia movie and more
Women describe relief at finally learning they have autism, a man with epilepsy narrates during stimulation of his brain, and the brain’s immune cells are caught on film nibbling at neuronal connections.
Late-life diagnosis; narrated brain stimulation; microglia movie and more
Women describe relief at finally learning they have autism, a man with epilepsy narrates during stimulation of his brain, and the brain’s immune cells are caught on film nibbling at neuronal connections.
Activists arrested; poop cult; ‘landmark’ movie and more
Activists are arrested while protesting the use of electroshock devices, a Facebook group claims cabbage slurry can prevent autism, and a movie features romance — and actors — on the spectrum.
Activists arrested; poop cult; ‘landmark’ movie and more
Activists are arrested while protesting the use of electroshock devices, a Facebook group claims cabbage slurry can prevent autism, and a movie features romance — and actors — on the spectrum.
Program in Scotland boosts speed, accuracy of autism diagnosis
A project in Scotland dramatically increased the accuracy of autism diagnosis and cut waiting times in half.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/201802OHare844.jpg)
Program in Scotland boosts speed, accuracy of autism diagnosis
A project in Scotland dramatically increased the accuracy of autism diagnosis and cut waiting times in half.
Powerful duo of techniques charts signals’ path through brain
Combining a brain imaging technique with a neuron stimulation method can reveal how activity at one site travels through neural networks in the brain.
![Magnetoencephalography picks up the tiny magnetic fields produced by neuronal activity.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/Optomeg844.jpg)
Powerful duo of techniques charts signals’ path through brain
Combining a brain imaging technique with a neuron stimulation method can reveal how activity at one site travels through neural networks in the brain.
Weak ‘wiring’ in infant brains augurs severe autism features
Babies who are later diagnosed with autism may show aberrant connections between some brain regions in their first year of life.
![Structural anomalies (purple and blue) in the brains of babies with autism at 6 months (bottom row) become more widespread by 12 months (top row).](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/2017NetworkInefficiencies844.jpg)
Weak ‘wiring’ in infant brains augurs severe autism features
Babies who are later diagnosed with autism may show aberrant connections between some brain regions in their first year of life.
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.