Charles A. Nelson is professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at Harvard Medical School and director of research at Boston Children’s Hospital’s Developmental Medicine Center.
Charles A. Nelson
Research director
Boston Children's Hospital
From this contributor
How separating children from parents causes irreparable harm
Science teaches us that housing children in institution-like settings is likely to cause severe and permanent damage to their minds and bodies.
How separating children from parents causes irreparable harm
By
Charles A. Nelson
26 June 2018 | 4 min read
Romanian orphans reveal clues to origins of autism
Understanding autism features in children who were deprived of social contact as infants could offer clues to the condition.
Romanian orphans reveal clues to origins of autism
By
Charles A. Nelson
25 April 2017 | 6 min read
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Nearly 400 compounds affect behaviors tied to autism-linked genes in zebrafish
Estropipate, paclitaxel and levocarnitine altered behaviors tied to SCN2A and DYRK1A variants specifically, a new open-source platform revealed.
Nearly 400 compounds affect behaviors tied to autism-linked genes in zebrafish
Estropipate, paclitaxel and levocarnitine altered behaviors tied to SCN2A and DYRK1A variants specifically, a new open-source platform revealed.
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Charles Q. Choi
16 April 2026 | 4 min read
What neuroscientists want from a new NINDS director
The search is underway for the next director of the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, who will face a range of challenges, neuroscientists say, but will also have an “immense opportunity to do good things.”
What neuroscientists want from a new NINDS director
The search is underway for the next director of the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, who will face a range of challenges, neuroscientists say, but will also have an “immense opportunity to do good things.”
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Helena Kudiabor
15 April 2026 | 4 min read
Arousal neurons’ activity explains brain’s blood flow dynamics in mice
The findings could influence how researchers interpret signals from techniques that use blood flow as a surrogate for neuronal activity.
Arousal neurons’ activity explains brain’s blood flow dynamics in mice
The findings could influence how researchers interpret signals from techniques that use blood flow as a surrogate for neuronal activity.
By
Claudia López Lloreda
15 April 2026 | 5 min read