Neurodevelopmental disorders

Recent articles

Research image of patterns of expression of autosomal genes.

Gene activity in human cortex shows striking sex differences

The results mark a “dramatic shift” in how neuroscientists think about sex differences, and they may help explain sex biases in certain neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental conditions.

By Lauren Schenkman
5 May 2026 | 5 min read
Conference attendees.

Reporter’s notebook: Highlights from INSAR 2026

At the 25th annual meeting of the International Society for Autism Research, scientists, clinicians and self-advocates gathered to discuss topics such as autism genetics and the gap between clinical trials and real-world benefits.

By Diana Kwon
30 April 2026 | 6 min read
A hand reaches to pull a sheet of paper out of a stack of papers.

Largest leucovorin-autism trial retracted

A reanalysis of the data revealed errors and failed to replicate the results.

By Claudia López Lloreda
3 February 2026 | 4 min read
Research image of organoids derived from stem cell lines from people with intellectual disability, polymicroglia or microcephaly, alongside a control organoid.

New organoid atlas unveils four neurodevelopmental signatures

The comprehensive resource details data on microcephaly, polymicrogyria, epilepsy and intellectual disability from 352 people.

By Diana Kwon
17 December 2025 | 4 min read
Mouse brain slices and atlases.

Constellation of studies charts brain development, offers ‘dramatic revision’

The atlases could pinpoint pathways that determine the fate of cells linked to neurodevelopmental conditions.

By Holly Barker
5 November 2025 | 6 min read
Research image of human neurons transplanted into mouse cortices.

Protein tug-of-war controls pace of synaptic development, sets human brains apart

Human-specific duplicates of SRGAP2 prolong cortical development by manipulating SYNGAP, an autism-linked protein that slows synaptic growth.

By Holly Barker
23 October 2025 | 7 min read
Stack of papers.

Exclusive: The 23 studies the FDA based its expanded leucovorin label on

The studies include 46 people, mostly toddlers, who have cerebral folate deficiency due to variants in a folate transporter.

By Claudia López Lloreda
2 October 2025 | 6 min read
Research image of microglia in organoids.

Microglia nurture young interneurons

The immune cells secrete a growth factor that “sets the supply of GABAergic interneurons in the developing brain.”

By Lauren Schenkman
28 August 2025 | 3 min read
Two paper arrows intersect to form a double helix.

Genetic background steers PTEN syndrome traits

People with the syndrome, caused by variants in the gene PTEN, often have autism or cancer, or both, but it depends on the genetic diversity encoded in the components of distinct cell signaling pathways, according to a new study.

By Holly Barker
19 June 2025 | 5 min read
Research image of human cortical neurons xenotransplanted into a mouse brain for months.

In vivo veritas: Xenotransplantation can help us study the development and function of human neurons in a living brain

Transplanted cells offer insight into human-specific properties, such as a lengthy cortical development and sensitivity to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disease.

By Pierre Vanderhaeghen
7 April 2025 | 7 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Collage with a portrait of Suzanne Wood.

The ‘secretly awesome’ side of a teaching career

The freedom to do “wacky” research projects that interest you is a major perk of the teaching stream, says Suzanne Wood, a teaching professor at the University of Toronto.

By Katie Moisse
20 May 2026 | 7 min read
Los manifestantes marchan por la calle portando una pancarta que dice "Defendamos la ciencia".

Manifestantes argentinos denuncian el recorte al financiamiento científico

Manifestantes alrededor del país exigieron al gobierno que aumente los salarios de las universidades públicas y el financiamiento para la investigación científica.

Outside influences on CHD8 variant phenotypes, and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 18 May.

By Jill Adams
19 May 2026 | 2 min read