Gut

Recent articles

Research image of enteric neurons in zebrafish.

Opioid receptors may guide formation of gut nervous system in zebrafish

Fish lacking functional copies of the receptors have fewer enteric neurons than usual, but the findings await further validation.

By Olivia Gieger
26 June 2024 | 4 min read
Three groups of people meet and mix at a crossroads.

Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023

Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.

28 December 2023 | 4 min read
Digital illustration of Prevotella bacteria.

Gut microbiome meta-analysis reveals consistent autism signal

But the field needs to move on from cross-sectional studies to gain insights into the causes and consequences of the association, experts say.

By Calli McMurray
22 August 2023 | 5 min read
Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.

Null and Noteworthy: COVID-19 conclusions; diagnosis duplication; oxytocin again

This month’s newsletter explores the pandemic’s effects on autism rates, trends in co-occurring mental health conditions, and the impact of intranasal oxytocin.

By Emily Harris
10 November 2022 | 5 min read
Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.

Null and Noteworthy: Medication timing; oxytocin amounts; sensory sameness

Parents’ health, treatment dosages and sensory perception feature in this month’s crop of null and replicated results.

By Emily Harris
13 October 2022 | 5 min read
Illustration of a pregnant woman in a peach-colored shirt and light red pants standing in profile against a backdrop of chromosomes

Autism linked to inflammatory bowel disease in parents

The inflammation associated with the disease, particularly in mothers, may contribute to autism traits in children.

By Emily Harris
28 June 2022 | 5 min read

Gut molecule linked to decreased myelination in mouse brains

Targeting the molecule, 4EPS, with an experimental drug may be a way to ease anxiety for autistic people, the researchers say. But not everyone is convinced.

By Angie Voyles Askham
14 February 2022 | 6 min read
Micrograph of intestinal bacteria.

Infection in pregnant mice ups risk of gut problems in pups

Infection during pregnancy can tweak a mouse’s gut microbiome in ways that have lasting effects on her pups’ immune system and increase their chances of gut inflammation, a new study suggests.

By Angie Voyles Askham
18 January 2022 | 5 min read
Illustration: microbes clumped together forming the shape of a brain. The microbes are pink, blue, aqua, and red. Set against a dark blue background.

Despite flurry of findings, doubts dog gut microbes’ role in autism

The possibility of microbial treatments for autism has inspired a burst of research and nascent clinical trials, but new research suggests these efforts rest on shaky scientific ground.

By Angie Voyles Askham
19 October 2021 | 10 min read
Photograph of a researcher holding a zebra finch.

Fish, frogs, flies and other fauna in scientific firsts

Over the past century, scientists have used a variety of animal models to advance their understanding of the developing brain and autism.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
8 September 2021 | 1 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Piggy bank with half of its body replaced by a brain.

Neuroscientists reeling from past cuts advocate for more BRAIN Initiative funding

The director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health calls BRAIN a “high priority” but acknowledges that difficult decisions lie ahead if federal budgets remain flat.

By Angie Voyles Askham
22 November 2024 | 5 min read
A repeating pattern of orange butterflies against a blue background.

‘Huge influx’ of neuroscientists migrates to Bluesky

Daily neuroscience-related posts on the social-media platform this week have increased more than 400 percent, on average, compared with October.

By Calli McMurray
21 November 2024 | 5 min read
Woman in a clinician's office.

Autism prevalence increasing in children, adults, according to electronic medical records

The uptick from 2011 to 2022 in the United States underscores a need for more services and research, the investigators say.

By Shaena Montanari
21 November 2024 | 2 min read