Q&A
Accounting for a mosaic of sex differences: Q&A with Nicola Grissom
Breaking the binary view of sex traits can enable researchers to represent the broader complexity of behavior and cognition.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_GenderQA-1-1024x692.png)
Accounting for a mosaic of sex differences: Q&A with Nicola Grissom
Breaking the binary view of sex traits can enable researchers to represent the broader complexity of behavior and cognition.
Mind control in zombie flies: Q&A with Carolyn Elya
A parasitic fungus compels its insect host to behave in strange ways by hijacking secretory neurons and circadian pathways.
![Close-up image of a dead fly with visible growths protruding from its abdomen due to Entomophthora fungus infection.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1200-zombie-fly-qa-1024x683.webp)
Mind control in zombie flies: Q&A with Carolyn Elya
A parasitic fungus compels its insect host to behave in strange ways by hijacking secretory neurons and circadian pathways.
Pinning down ‘profound autism’ for reliable research: Q&A with Matthew Siegel
A clear and actionable definition for the term could enhance research and improve care, Matthew Siegel says.
![Portrait of Matthew Siegel sitting on a staircase.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1200-lede-siegel-qa-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Pinning down ‘profound autism’ for reliable research: Q&A with Matthew Siegel
A clear and actionable definition for the term could enhance research and improve care, Matthew Siegel says.
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.
Raising the bar for stem cell research: Q&A with Jack Mosher
New quality benchmarks for basic research involving stem cells promise to improve rigor and reproducibility, says Mosher, who helped develop the standards.
![A scientist looks into a microscope](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1200-ISSCR-QA-autism.webp)
Raising the bar for stem cell research: Q&A with Jack Mosher
New quality benchmarks for basic research involving stem cells promise to improve rigor and reproducibility, says Mosher, who helped develop the standards.
Magnetic stimulation for autism: Q&A with Xujun Duan
A new individualized approach to transcranial magnetic stimulation may one day be an effective treatment for social and communication difficulties, if the results from Duan’s small preliminary trial pan out.
![A patient receives transcranial magnetic stimulation.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-autism-1-1024x692.png)
Magnetic stimulation for autism: Q&A with Xujun Duan
A new individualized approach to transcranial magnetic stimulation may one day be an effective treatment for social and communication difficulties, if the results from Duan’s small preliminary trial pan out.
Progress amid setbacks in drug trials for rare forms of epilepsy: Q&A with Justin West
Despite grave side effects, it’s vital to keep developing treatments for rare genetic forms of childhood epilepsy, says West, president of the KCNT1 Epilepsy Foundation and father of a son with the condition.
![Justin West holding his son.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/1200-justin-west-q-and-a-epilepsy-autism-drug-trial.png)
Progress amid setbacks in drug trials for rare forms of epilepsy: Q&A with Justin West
Despite grave side effects, it’s vital to keep developing treatments for rare genetic forms of childhood epilepsy, says West, president of the KCNT1 Epilepsy Foundation and father of a son with the condition.
Easing sensory sensitivities in the clinic: Q&A with Leah Stein Duker
Dentist or doctor visits can overwhelm autistic children with sensory sensitivities. Occupational therapy can help, Stein Duker says.
![A dentist examines a young girl’s teeth.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1200-dentist-sensory-adaptations-autism-1024x692.jpg)
Easing sensory sensitivities in the clinic: Q&A with Leah Stein Duker
Dentist or doctor visits can overwhelm autistic children with sensory sensitivities. Occupational therapy can help, Stein Duker says.
Ruth Carper: Imaging the aging brain in autistic adults
Few studies have tracked how brain structure and function change across adulthood in people with autism. Carper and her colleagues are collecting data to fill this gap.
![Illustration of a watch with the face taken up by an MRI scan of a brain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1200-ruth-carper-1024x683.webp)
Ruth Carper: Imaging the aging brain in autistic adults
Few studies have tracked how brain structure and function change across adulthood in people with autism. Carper and her colleagues are collecting data to fill this gap.
The future of autism therapies: A conversation with Lilia Iakoucheva and Derek Hong
If a therapy for autism’s core traits makes it to market, it will likely take one of three forms, the researchers say.
![Illustration of a room with DNA sequence wallpaper and three doors leading to abstract new environments.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/844-lede-future-of-autism-treatments.jpg)
The future of autism therapies: A conversation with Lilia Iakoucheva and Derek Hong
If a therapy for autism’s core traits makes it to market, it will likely take one of three forms, the researchers say.
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.