Glutamate
Neurotransmitter switch-up helps fan extreme stress into full-blown fear
The flip occurs when certain neurons in the dorsal raphe start to express the chemical GABA instead of glutamate, a new study shows.
![Image of the dorsal raphe area of the brain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DorsalRaphe-1200-1024x692.webp)
Neurotransmitter switch-up helps fan extreme stress into full-blown fear
The flip occurs when certain neurons in the dorsal raphe start to express the chemical GABA instead of glutamate, a new study shows.
Neurons in thalamus sort new social cues from familiar ones
A subset of thalamic neurons support an aspect of social behavior called social recognition, according to experiments in mice.
![Mice socialize in an enclosure](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1200-mouse-socia-behavior-autism.jpg)
Neurons in thalamus sort new social cues from familiar ones
A subset of thalamic neurons support an aspect of social behavior called social recognition, according to experiments in mice.
Trials of arbaclofen for autism yield mixed results
Autistic children taking the drug showed improvements in some behaviors but not in their social skills.
![Photograph of white pills and blister pack on blue pastel colored background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/844-arbaclofen-CR-autism-INSAR.jpg)
Trials of arbaclofen for autism yield mixed results
Autistic children taking the drug showed improvements in some behaviors but not in their social skills.
Experimental drug shows promise for autism-linked syndromes
The drug quells seizures in children with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
![An adult administers a medication to an infant.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Soticlestat-trial-medicine-autism-844.jpg)
Experimental drug shows promise for autism-linked syndromes
The drug quells seizures in children with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
New resource maps gene expression, regulation in neuron subtypes
The catalog could help researchers understand the effects of autism-linked DNA variants that fall outside genes.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cis-regulatory-844.png)
New resource maps gene expression, regulation in neuron subtypes
The catalog could help researchers understand the effects of autism-linked DNA variants that fall outside genes.
New human neuron assays set stage for high-throughput autism drug screens
The ability to conduct large-scale screening in human neurons could accelerate the discovery of autism treatments.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/844_Modultaors_final.jpg)
New human neuron assays set stage for high-throughput autism drug screens
The ability to conduct large-scale screening in human neurons could accelerate the discovery of autism treatments.
Visual task flags autistic people who respond to GABA agonists
The investigational drug arbaclofen makes autistic people's brains respond to a visual task more like non-autistic people's brains do.
![Visual stimulus of 4 circles with black and white stripes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GabaBStripe844.jpg)
Visual task flags autistic people who respond to GABA agonists
The investigational drug arbaclofen makes autistic people's brains respond to a visual task more like non-autistic people's brains do.
Neural network captures noisy neurons in autism mouse model
Mice missing the autism-linked gene SHANK3 use more neurons to engage in social behavior than control mice do, reflecting a more disorganized, less efficient brain signaling network.
![Mouse neuron recordings showing different levels of activity before and after an encounter with an unfamiliar mouse.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210610-PrefrontalCortex844.jpg)
Neural network captures noisy neurons in autism mouse model
Mice missing the autism-linked gene SHANK3 use more neurons to engage in social behavior than control mice do, reflecting a more disorganized, less efficient brain signaling network.
GABA agonist rescues auditory hypersensitivity in rats missing autism-linked gene CNTNAP2
The investigational drug arbaclofen may right an imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory signaling in the animals’ brains.
![brainstem of rats in red, green and blue highlight higher levels of GABA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GABAb-844.jpg)
GABA agonist rescues auditory hypersensitivity in rats missing autism-linked gene CNTNAP2
The investigational drug arbaclofen may right an imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory signaling in the animals’ brains.
Family groups, researchers join forces to solve mysteries of autism gene
Families of children with mutations in a gene called SYNGAP1 have spurred research into the effects of the mutations on people — and how to treat them.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190708-Syngap844.jpg)
Family groups, researchers join forces to solve mysteries of autism gene
Families of children with mutations in a gene called SYNGAP1 have spurred research into the effects of the mutations on people — and how to treat them.
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.