Oxidative stress
Recent articles
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.

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.
Mitochondria: An energy explanation for autism
People with autism have more mutations than others do in both mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA that affects mitochondrial function.
Mitochondria: An energy explanation for autism
People with autism have more mutations than others do in both mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA that affects mitochondrial function.
Meet the ‘mitomaniacs’ who say mitochondria matter in autism
Clues that problems with mitochondria contribute to autism have been accumulating for decades. In the past five years, a mutant mouse and a flurry of findings have energized the field.

Meet the ‘mitomaniacs’ who say mitochondria matter in autism
Clues that problems with mitochondria contribute to autism have been accumulating for decades. In the past five years, a mutant mouse and a flurry of findings have energized the field.
Autism mutation may disrupt brain structure by disabling mitochondria
Mice that lack a segment of chromosome 22 — a mutation associated with autism — have unusually sparse connections between brain regions.

Autism mutation may disrupt brain structure by disabling mitochondria
Mice that lack a segment of chromosome 22 — a mutation associated with autism — have unusually sparse connections between brain regions.
New tools strengthen old link between autism, mitochondria
Variants of some mitochondrial genes may contribute to autism — in some cases, by teaming up with genes in the nucleus.

New tools strengthen old link between autism, mitochondria
Variants of some mitochondrial genes may contribute to autism — in some cases, by teaming up with genes in the nucleus.
Obesity, diabetes in mother up autism risk for child
The combination of obesity and diabetes in a pregnant woman substantially increases the likelihood that her child will have autism.

Obesity, diabetes in mother up autism risk for child
The combination of obesity and diabetes in a pregnant woman substantially increases the likelihood that her child will have autism.
Short chromosome caps may up autism risk in families
Telomeres, the structures at the tips of chromosomes, tend to be unusually short in people with autism and their immediate family members.

Short chromosome caps may up autism risk in families
Telomeres, the structures at the tips of chromosomes, tend to be unusually short in people with autism and their immediate family members.
Diabetes during pregnancy ups child’s autism risk
Children born to women who develop diabetes during the first or second trimester of pregnancy increase their risk of autism by 42 percent.

Diabetes during pregnancy ups child’s autism risk
Children born to women who develop diabetes during the first or second trimester of pregnancy increase their risk of autism by 42 percent.
Genetics: Gene variants modulate Rett symptoms
A single gene mutation leads to Rett syndrome, but other variants may modify the severity of an individual's symptoms, according to a study published 28 February in PLoS One.

Genetics: Gene variants modulate Rett symptoms
A single gene mutation leads to Rett syndrome, but other variants may modify the severity of an individual's symptoms, according to a study published 28 February in PLoS One.
Can nutritional supplements help treat some cases of autism?
A handful of studies point to dietary deficiencies as a contributing factor in some forms of autism, suggesting that supplements — such as carnitine or certain amino acids — may help treat and even prevent the disorder.

Can nutritional supplements help treat some cases of autism?
A handful of studies point to dietary deficiencies as a contributing factor in some forms of autism, suggesting that supplements — such as carnitine or certain amino acids — may help treat and even prevent the disorder.
Explore more from The Transmitter
INSAR takes ‘intentional break’ from annual summer webinar series
The International Society for Autism Research cited a need to “thoughtfully reimagine” its popular online program before resuming it in 2026.

INSAR takes ‘intentional break’ from annual summer webinar series
The International Society for Autism Research cited a need to “thoughtfully reimagine” its popular online program before resuming it in 2026.
Null and Noteworthy: Neurons tracking sequences don’t fire in order
Instead, neurons encode the position of sequential items in working memory based on when they fire during ongoing brain wave oscillations—a finding that challenges a long-standing theory.

Null and Noteworthy: Neurons tracking sequences don’t fire in order
Instead, neurons encode the position of sequential items in working memory based on when they fire during ongoing brain wave oscillations—a finding that challenges a long-standing theory.
How to teach this paper: ‘Neurotoxic reactive astrocytes are induced by activated microglia,’ by Liddelow et al. (2017)
Shane Liddelow and his collaborators identified the factors that transform astrocytes from their helpful to harmful form. Their work is a great choice if you want to teach students about glial cell types, cell culture, gene expression or protein measurement.

How to teach this paper: ‘Neurotoxic reactive astrocytes are induced by activated microglia,’ by Liddelow et al. (2017)
Shane Liddelow and his collaborators identified the factors that transform astrocytes from their helpful to harmful form. Their work is a great choice if you want to teach students about glial cell types, cell culture, gene expression or protein measurement.