Science and society

Recent articles

The word Doctored spelled out on pills.

‘Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s,’ an excerpt

In his new book, published today, investigative journalist Charles Piller tells the story of the scientific misconduct that shook Alzheimer’s disease research to its core, and the neuroscientist who helped to expose it.

By Charles Piller
4 February 2025 | 9 min read
Research image of mouse olfactory bulbs.

Olfaction; autism-linked genes in monkeys; eye movements

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 3 February.

By Jill Adams
4 February 2025 | 1 min read
Research image of regional structural differences in the brains of neurodiverse people.

Cortical myelination; early vocabulary; EEG in tuberous sclerosis

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 27 January.

By Jill Adams
28 January 2025 | 2 min read
Dollar sign floating at the bottom of a test tube.

Neuroscientists fear Trump’s DEI order may tank diversity-focused grants

Programs that prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in the field may be at risk, leaving researchers in a “holding pattern,” according to one grant recipient.

By Angie Voyles Askham, Claudia López Lloreda
24 January 2025 | 5 min read
Research image of brain organoids with astroglia formation represented in green.

Personalized medicine; astroglia organoids; fast track for fragile X drug

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 20 January.

By Jill Adams
21 January 2025 | 2 min read
World map color-coded to visualize the impact of autism across the world, estimating the disability-adjusted life years by nation.

Functional connectivity; ASDQ screen; health burden of autism

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 6 January.

By Jill Adams
7 January 2025 | 2 min read
Research image of a mossy fiber terminal in the cerebellar granule cell layer.

Cerebellar SHANK3; telehealth coaching for caregivers; psychedelics

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the last two weeks of December.

By Jill Adams
2 January 2025 | 2 min read
View out a window onto an open plaza in Krakow.

My hope for displaced Ukrainian children with autism, an update

The largest ongoing refugee crisis in Europe has overwhelmed humanitarian agencies. Meeting the needs of families affected by autism has not been a priority.

By Chrystina Dolyniuk
2 January 2025 | 6 min read
An illustration of a magnifying glass, checklists, and anonymous figures.

Spectrum 2024: Year in review

We round up our most notable autism stories of the past 12 months.

By Daisy Yuhas
23 December 2024 | 2 min read
Research image of mouse neurons.

DDX3X gene function; gender diversity; lithium

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 16 December.

By Jill Adams
17 December 2024 | 2 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Research image of brain glucose levels in mice.

Food for thought: Neuronal fuel source more flexible than previously recognized

The cells primarily rely on glucose—rather than lactate from astrocytes—to generate energy, according to recent findings in mice.

By Giorgia Guglielmi
7 February 2025 | 6 min read
Abstract illustration of overlapping lines.

Claims of necessity and sufficiency are not well suited for the study of complex systems

The earliest studies on necessary and sufficient neural populations were performed on simple invertebrate circuits. Does this logic still serve us as we tackle more sophisticated outputs?

By Grace Lindsay
7 February 2025 | 6 min read
Research image of a mouse brain slice stained in purple and yellow.

Subthalamic plasticity helps mice squelch innate fear responses

When the animals learn that a perceived threat is not dangerous, long-term activity changes in a part of the subthalamus suppress their instinctive fears.

By Sydney Wyatt
6 February 2025 | 5 min read