Treatments
Recent articles
Neuroscientists need to do better at explaining basic mental health research
The knowledge gap between scientists, health-care professionals, policymakers and people with mental health conditions is growing, slowing the translation of basic science to new treatments. Like lawyers learning to present a case to the court, scientists should learn to educate nonscientists about their findings.
![Illustration of clinicians, a pill bottle, a speech bubble and shadowy figures.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Addiction-Kaun-Neuro-1200-1024x692.png)
Neuroscientists need to do better at explaining basic mental health research
The knowledge gap between scientists, health-care professionals, policymakers and people with mental health conditions is growing, slowing the translation of basic science to new treatments. Like lawyers learning to present a case to the court, scientists should learn to educate nonscientists about their findings.
What’s next for brain-directed gene therapy after death in Neurogene trial
The incident highlights that viral vectors can trigger deadly immune responses even when delivered directly to the nervous system.
![Photograph of a syringe.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1200-neurogene-rett-syndrome-death-1024x683.webp)
What’s next for brain-directed gene therapy after death in Neurogene trial
The incident highlights that viral vectors can trigger deadly immune responses even when delivered directly to the nervous system.
Vasopressin boosts sociability in solitary monkeys
Inhaling the hormone did not increase aggression in unsociable rhesus macaques and appears to help the animals remember faces and reciprocate friendly behaviors.
![Two rhesus macaque monkeys.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1200-macaque-social-cognition-1024x683.webp)
Vasopressin boosts sociability in solitary monkeys
Inhaling the hormone did not increase aggression in unsociable rhesus macaques and appears to help the animals remember faces and reciprocate friendly behaviors.
Parasite-based tool delivers MECP2 and other proteins to neurons
A method that uses a common brain parasite could help replenish the proteins deficient in Rett syndrome and other conditions.
![Research image of toxoplasma gondii showing cysts it creates as well as the MECP2 protein that it can deliver to neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-toxoplasma-gondii-neuroscience-transmitter-1-1024x683.webp)
Parasite-based tool delivers MECP2 and other proteins to neurons
A method that uses a common brain parasite could help replenish the proteins deficient in Rett syndrome and other conditions.
A genetics-first clinic for catching developmental conditions early: Q&A with Jacob Vorstman
A new clinic is assessing children who have a genetic predisposition for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions—sometimes before traits appear.
![Stock photograph of a women and her young child at a clinician’s office.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/evaluation-1200-1024x692.webp)
A genetics-first clinic for catching developmental conditions early: Q&A with Jacob Vorstman
A new clinic is assessing children who have a genetic predisposition for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions—sometimes before traits appear.
Leveraging the power of community to strengthen clinical trials for rare genetic syndromes
Families can become not only participants but champions of these research efforts.
![A hand holds a stack of speech bubbles.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NEW-landscape-1200-1024x692.webp)
Leveraging the power of community to strengthen clinical trials for rare genetic syndromes
Families can become not only participants but champions of these research efforts.
Tail of hippocampus may be hub for seizures in mice and people
This little-studied subregion, called the fasciola cinereum, could be a new surgical target for people with treatment-resistant epilepsy.
![Research image of neurons in a small section of the hippocampus.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Soltesz-FigCD-1200-1024x692.webp)
Tail of hippocampus may be hub for seizures in mice and people
This little-studied subregion, called the fasciola cinereum, could be a new surgical target for people with treatment-resistant epilepsy.
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.
CRISPR gives autism-linked genes a boost, rescues functioning
A modified form of the gene-editing tool increases the expression of CHD8 and SCN2A, showing potential for autism therapies.
![Research image of two fluorescent-stained organoids.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fig1F-clean-1200-1024x692.webp)
CRISPR gives autism-linked genes a boost, rescues functioning
A modified form of the gene-editing tool increases the expression of CHD8 and SCN2A, showing potential for autism therapies.
RNA drug corrects calcium signaling in chimeric model of Timothy syndrome
The drug, tested in rats that have human neurons, could enter clinical testing as early as next year, researchers say.
![Research image of antisense oligonucleotides.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/TimothySyndrome1200-1024x692.webp)
RNA drug corrects calcium signaling in chimeric model of Timothy syndrome
The drug, tested in rats that have human neurons, could enter clinical testing as early as next year, researchers say.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Dmitri Chklovskii outlines how single neurons may act as their own optimal feedback controllers
From logical gates to grandmother cells, neuroscientists have employed many metaphors to explain single neuron function. Chklovskii makes the case that neurons are actually trying to control how their outputs affect the rest of the brain.
Dmitri Chklovskii outlines how single neurons may act as their own optimal feedback controllers
From logical gates to grandmother cells, neuroscientists have employed many metaphors to explain single neuron function. Chklovskii makes the case that neurons are actually trying to control how their outputs affect the rest of the brain.
Dopamine ‘gas pedal’ and serotonin ‘brake’ team up to accelerate learning
Mice learn fastest and most reliably when they experience an increase in dopamine paired with an inhibition of serotonin in their nucleus accumbens, a new study shows, helping to resolve long-standing questions about the neuromodulators’ relationship.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1200-striatal-dopamine-serotonin-neuroscience-1024x683.png)
Dopamine ‘gas pedal’ and serotonin ‘brake’ team up to accelerate learning
Mice learn fastest and most reliably when they experience an increase in dopamine paired with an inhibition of serotonin in their nucleus accumbens, a new study shows, helping to resolve long-standing questions about the neuromodulators’ relationship.
Rethinking mental health: The body’s impact on the brain
Mounting evidence illustrates how peripheral molecules can influence brain function, offering new therapeutic targets.
![Illustration of a body, brain visible through a transparent head, looking at orange circles over its hands.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1200-hodes-body-brain-mental-health-neuroscience-1024x683.png)
Rethinking mental health: The body’s impact on the brain
Mounting evidence illustrates how peripheral molecules can influence brain function, offering new therapeutic targets.