ASHG 2019

Recent articles

RNA, transcription

Antidote to ‘poison’ DNA may treat lethal form of epilepsy

An experimental drug silences a DNA segment and seems to prevent seizures and death in a condition related to autism.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
26 August 2020 | 3 min read

Brain ‘organoids’ point to new drug target for fragile X syndrome

New findings hint at why drugs that work in mouse models of fragile X syndrome have not been effective in people.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
18 October 2019 | 3 min read
Illustration of a DNA strand.

Massive project doubles list of genes tied to autism

The largest analysis of sequences from autistic people and their families implicates 184 genes in the condition — nearly doubling the previous estimate.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
17 October 2019 | 3 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Stock photo of a group of neurons.

Finding neuroheterogeneity’s sweet spot

Once thought to be detrimental to memory processing, neuronal diversity—at the right ‘Goldilocks’ dose—is a new boon to theoretical neuroscience.

By Natalia Mesa
20 October 2026 | 7 min read
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.

COVID-19 and influenza effects in pregnancy; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 19 October.

By Jill Adams
20 October 2026 | 2 min read
Illustration of a person standing in a crumbling room with papers and strings on the wall, a fallen chair, and a lamp.

What to do when traditional mechanistic approaches no longer work

Many complex behaviors have stubbornly resisted mechanistic explanations. Deciphering them will require new approaches—and perhaps a new concept of “understanding.”

By Bence Ölveczky
19 October 2026 | 8 min read