Neurotransmitters
What happens when a histopathologist teams up with computational modelers?
Answers emerge in my chat with Nicola Palomero-Gallagher, a rare example of someone who connects the brain’s microscopic constituents and macroscopic features.
![Research images of the human motor cortex](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1200-shine-connector-hub-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
What happens when a histopathologist teams up with computational modelers?
Answers emerge in my chat with Nicola Palomero-Gallagher, a rare example of someone who connects the brain’s microscopic constituents and macroscopic features.
Abundant motor proteins disrupt cries in FOXP2 mice
Knocking down the gene that codes for the proteins normalizes the vocalizations.
![Research image of neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1200-lede-foxp2-autism.png)
Abundant motor proteins disrupt cries in FOXP2 mice
Knocking down the gene that codes for the proteins normalizes the vocalizations.
Autism and the cell’s antennae
Many autism-linked genes are somehow tied to cilia, the tiny hair-like sensors that stud a cell’s surface. But the question remains whether, and how, cilia differences contribute to the condition.
![Lab images of cilia.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Cilia-Seabra-lab-autism-844.jpg)
Autism and the cell’s antennae
Many autism-linked genes are somehow tied to cilia, the tiny hair-like sensors that stud a cell’s surface. But the question remains whether, and how, cilia differences contribute to the condition.
Multi-omics study captures CNTNAP2’s far-ranging effects
The in-depth approach shows mutations in the autism-linked gene disrupt neuronal growth and communication, as well as mitochondrial gene expression.
![lllustration of the junction between two nerve cells.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/844-final.jpg)
Multi-omics study captures CNTNAP2’s far-ranging effects
The in-depth approach shows mutations in the autism-linked gene disrupt neuronal growth and communication, as well as mitochondrial gene expression.
Tripping over the potential of psychedelics for autism
Drugs such as LSD act primarily on the serotonin system, which is implicated in autism — and some autistic people who experiment with psychoactive compounds report enhanced social connections, among other benefits. But researchers have more questions than answers.
![An illustration of a colorful, psychedelic landscape featuring two people standing on a hill speaking to one another](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/MDMA_lead_844.jpg)
Tripping over the potential of psychedelics for autism
Drugs such as LSD act primarily on the serotonin system, which is implicated in autism — and some autistic people who experiment with psychoactive compounds report enhanced social connections, among other benefits. But researchers have more questions than answers.
Autism research makes the leap to frogs
Frogs are useful for autism research for a slew of reasons, including the fact that the animals' initial development occurs outside of the mother's body in plain view.
![Colorful illustration shows a esearcher with frogs and frog eggs.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/Froglab844.jpg)
Autism research makes the leap to frogs
Frogs are useful for autism research for a slew of reasons, including the fact that the animals' initial development occurs outside of the mother's body in plain view.
Drugs boost serotonin, socialization in multiple autism mouse models
The finding that MDMA and an experimental serotonin agonist increase sociability across six different model mice suggests that disparate autism-linked mutations converge on the same underlying pathways.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210806-Serotonin844.jpg)
Drugs boost serotonin, socialization in multiple autism mouse models
The finding that MDMA and an experimental serotonin agonist increase sociability across six different model mice suggests that disparate autism-linked mutations converge on the same underlying pathways.
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.
After 60 years, scientists are still trying to crack a mysterious serotonin-autism link
The high levels of serotonin seen in the blood of some autistic people have confounded scientists for more than half a century. Despite so little progress, some researchers refuse to give up.
![Illustration of transporter mice in brain maze](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210609-Serotonin-844.jpg)
After 60 years, scientists are still trying to crack a mysterious serotonin-autism link
The high levels of serotonin seen in the blood of some autistic people have confounded scientists for more than half a century. Despite so little progress, some researchers refuse to give up.
Stimulant restores cell signaling, eases behavior issues in animals missing autism gene
Worms and zebrafish missing both copies of the gene CHD7 have disrupted cellular signaling, a dearth of inhibitory neurons and behavior changes — all of which are reversed by the stimulant drug ephedrine.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20210524-CHD7_GABA-844.jpg)
Stimulant restores cell signaling, eases behavior issues in animals missing autism gene
Worms and zebrafish missing both copies of the gene CHD7 have disrupted cellular signaling, a dearth of inhibitory neurons and behavior changes — all of which are reversed by the stimulant drug ephedrine.
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.