2022: Year in review

Recent articles

Large graphic numerals 40 in black on white.

40 under 40

In 2022, we asked our profile subjects and sources to flag rising stars in their labs or among their former students. The result is this list of 40 young researchers who are working on autism-related science across the globe.

By Spectrum
22 December 2022 | 4 min read
A transplanted human organoid labeled with a fluorescent protein in a section of the rat brain.

Hot topics in autism research in 2022

This year saw the debut of ever-more complex techniques to grow and analyze brain organoids and other 3D tissue cultures, among other advances.

By Spectrum
22 December 2022 | 6 min read
Two globe and chat bubble hybrids overlap against a blue background.

Autism researchers’ top tweets in 2022

Social media chatter this past year took up a mysterious gene region, the brain’s physical geometry and other topics related to the advancement of autism science.

By Michael Fergenson
22 December 2022 | 6 min read
Illustration of a brain with geometric figures inside of it.

Top conferences of 2023

Track some of the major autism science meetings next year on our timeline, and tell us which ones you plan to attend.

By Spectrum
22 December 2022 | 2 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Early experience reshapes zebrafish retinal cells, alters behavior

The cells undergo a classic form of plasticity previously thought to occur only in downstream visual circuits.

By Siddhant Pusdekar
13 August 2026 | 0 min watch
Research image of expression of MEIS2 in PV interneurons.

Loss of interneuron plasticity may be shared hallmark of neurodevelopmental conditions

Restoring an experience-dependent interneuron plasticity gene in adulthood improves memory and cuts seizures in CNTNAP2 knockout mice, a new study shows.

By Claudia López Lloreda
12 August 2026 | 5 min read
Structural MRI scans of people with Alzheimer’s disease and depression.

Neuropsychiatric MRI brain signatures fail reproducibility test

Small neuroimaging studies are unlikely to capture consistent anatomical changes related to conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and mood disorders, according to a new “wake-up call” study.

By Holly Barker
12 August 2026 | 5 min read