Anxiety
Recent articles
Neurotransmitter switch-up helps fan extreme stress into full-blown fear
The flip occurs when certain neurons in the dorsal raphe start to express the chemical GABA instead of glutamate, a new study shows.
![Image of the dorsal raphe area of the brain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DorsalRaphe-1200-1024x692.webp)
Neurotransmitter switch-up helps fan extreme stress into full-blown fear
The flip occurs when certain neurons in the dorsal raphe start to express the chemical GABA instead of glutamate, a new study shows.
Temperament is innate but hackable, animal studies suggest
Emotional reactivity and vulnerability to stress are largely inherited in rodents — but can be modified in early life by targeting inflammation-related cells or even just adjusting an animal’s environment.
![Research image of microglia in rats.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-neurobiology-emotion-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Temperament is innate but hackable, animal studies suggest
Emotional reactivity and vulnerability to stress are largely inherited in rodents — but can be modified in early life by targeting inflammation-related cells or even just adjusting an animal’s environment.
Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023
Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.
![Three groups of people meet and mix at a crossroads.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1200-transmitter-best-of-news-1024x683.webp)
Year in Review: Spectrum’s best in 2023
Here are five must-reads from our coverage of autism research over the past 12 months.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
Teasing apart insistence on sameness with Mirko Uljarević
The hallmark autism trait has multiple facets, Uljarević and his colleagues have found.
![A person stands in front of a neatly organized dresser drawer.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-autism-sameness-1024x692.webp)
Teasing apart insistence on sameness with Mirko Uljarević
The hallmark autism trait has multiple facets, Uljarević and his colleagues have found.
Mental health issues emerge with shifts in autism traits across childhood
Anxiety and other challenges autistic children experience may stem from an increase in social-communication issues and a decrease in repetitive behaviors from ages 6 to 11.
![A young boy sits alone on a bench in a playground.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-autism-mental-health-issues-childhood.webp)
Mental health issues emerge with shifts in autism traits across childhood
Anxiety and other challenges autistic children experience may stem from an increase in social-communication issues and a decrease in repetitive behaviors from ages 6 to 11.
Co-occurring conditions in autistic teens increase with age
The most prevalent conditions include obesity, neurological disorders, anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
![Photograph of a doctor and nurse checking a patient’s temperature and taking notes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/co-occurring-conditions-autism-teens-811.png)
Co-occurring conditions in autistic teens increase with age
The most prevalent conditions include obesity, neurological disorders, anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
‘wildDISCO’ cocktail yields whole-body maps of mouse neurons and more
A new technique used to create see-through rodents can help scientists analyze how the nervous system interacts with other body systems.
‘wildDISCO’ cocktail yields whole-body maps of mouse neurons and more
A new technique used to create see-through rodents can help scientists analyze how the nervous system interacts with other body systems.
Children with autism and ADHD often have additional mental health conditions
The dual diagnosis frequently co-occurs with anxiety, depression and developmental and language delays.
![A young girl sits on the couch biting her thumb.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/844-autism-adhd-prevalence-mental-health-conditions.jpg)
Children with autism and ADHD often have additional mental health conditions
The dual diagnosis frequently co-occurs with anxiety, depression and developmental and language delays.
CHD8 mutation in 33 mouse strains yields range of traits
The findings put genetic background forward to help explain autism’s heterogeneity.
![A white mouse, brown mouse and black mouse stand inside a wooden circle against a blue background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/844-CHD8-mutation-autism-traits-mice.png)
CHD8 mutation in 33 mouse strains yields range of traits
The findings put genetic background forward to help explain autism’s heterogeneity.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.