Empathy
Larry Young built bridges with his social neuroscience research
Known for his work bringing oxytocin studies to the mainstream, Young died unexpectedly last month.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LaryyYoung1200-horizontal-1024x692.webp)
Larry Young built bridges with his social neuroscience research
Known for his work bringing oxytocin studies to the mainstream, Young died unexpectedly last month.
Setting up a frog colony and pair bonding with Lauren O’Connell
To become a scientist, O’Connell first needed to leave the family farm.
![Illustrated portrait of Lauren O’Connell.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lauren0connell-1200-1024x692.webp)
Setting up a frog colony and pair bonding with Lauren O’Connell
To become a scientist, O’Connell first needed to leave the family farm.
Noah Sasson: Connecting with the autistic community
Intentional interactions with autistic people led Sasson to refocus his research.
![Noah Sasson, a thin white man, stands in a courtyard with his hands in his pockets.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Noah-Sasson-autism-844.jpg)
Noah Sasson: Connecting with the autistic community
Intentional interactions with autistic people led Sasson to refocus his research.
How losing a parent helped shape David Mandell’s approach to autism research
Autism’s “fearless” researcher takes on the big questions.
![David Mandell sits on the steps of a school.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/David-Mandell-school-policy-steps-844.jpg)
How losing a parent helped shape David Mandell’s approach to autism research
Autism’s “fearless” researcher takes on the big questions.
Null and Noteworthy: Metacognition, balovaptan bust, pattern recognition
This month, we pore over null results from a study of the accuracy of emotion recognition skills in autistic people, clinical trials of a vasopressin drug called balovaptan, and an analysis of ‘systemizing’ abilities in autistic children.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/lights_03-scaled.jpg)
Null and Noteworthy: Metacognition, balovaptan bust, pattern recognition
This month, we pore over null results from a study of the accuracy of emotion recognition skills in autistic people, clinical trials of a vasopressin drug called balovaptan, and an analysis of ‘systemizing’ abilities in autistic children.
Double empathy, explained
The double empathy theory challenges the idea that social difficulties are specific to autism and suggests that problems arise from a mismatch in perspective between autistic and non-autistic people.
![Illustration shows a woman whose mouth is covered by a cloud and whos eyes are covered by a cloud.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20210722-Empathy844.jpg)
Double empathy, explained
The double empathy theory challenges the idea that social difficulties are specific to autism and suggests that problems arise from a mismatch in perspective between autistic and non-autistic people.
Single neurons may power key ‘theory of mind’ skills
A subset of brain cells signal when someone tries to infer another person’s thoughts, according to a new study.
![Man reaches into cabinet while a woman looks on](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/20210208-SingleNeuronal-844.jpg)
Single neurons may power key ‘theory of mind’ skills
A subset of brain cells signal when someone tries to infer another person’s thoughts, according to a new study.
‘Theory of mind’ does not fade with age among autistic adults
Autistic people's ability to understand another person's thinking does not diminish with age, as it does for non-autistic people.
![Photograph shows young woman and older woman discussing paperwork.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201113-ageCognition844.jpg)
‘Theory of mind’ does not fade with age among autistic adults
Autistic people's ability to understand another person's thinking does not diminish with age, as it does for non-autistic people.
Book Review: ‘The Pattern Seekers’ links human invention — past, present and future — to autism traits
Simon Baron-Cohen’s new book is essentially a 272-page argument for his hypothesis that all human innovation stems from the ability to discern and manipulate causal patterns.
![hands with a red and blue string puzzle.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201110-PatternSeekers844.jpg)
Book Review: ‘The Pattern Seekers’ links human invention — past, present and future — to autism traits
Simon Baron-Cohen’s new book is essentially a 272-page argument for his hypothesis that all human innovation stems from the ability to discern and manipulate causal patterns.
How autism shapes sibling relationships
Having an autistic brother or sister can pose challenges, but it can also make children patient, empathetic and resilient.
![Portrait of siblings Michelle and Mark Byamugisha](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20200722-Lead844.jpg)
How autism shapes sibling relationships
Having an autistic brother or sister can pose challenges, but it can also make children patient, empathetic and resilient.
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.