David Ledbetter is chief clinical officer of Dascena, a personalized medicine company.
David Ledbetter
Chief clinical officer
Dascena
From this contributor
There are no autism-specific genes, just brain genes
There is not yet a single example of a gene that, when mutated, increases the likelihood of autism but not of other neurodevelopmental conditions, including intellectual disability.
There are no autism-specific genes, just brain genes
By
David Ledbetter, Scott Myers
23 March 2021 | 5 min read
Developmental disorders should be viewed as continuum
Intellectual disability, autism, epilepsy and schizophrenia should be considered part of a spectrum of developmental brain dysfunction, says David Ledbetter.
Developmental disorders should be viewed as continuum
By
David Ledbetter
6 May 2013 | 3 min read
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Genetic profiles separate early, late autism diagnoses
Age at diagnosis reflects underlying differences in common genetic variants and developmental trajectories among people with autism.
Genetic profiles separate early, late autism diagnoses
Age at diagnosis reflects underlying differences in common genetic variants and developmental trajectories among people with autism.
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Natalia Mesa
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To persist, memories surf molecular waves from thalamus to cortex
During the later stages of learning, the mouse brain progressively activates transcriptional regulators that drive memory consolidation.
To persist, memories surf molecular waves from thalamus to cortex
During the later stages of learning, the mouse brain progressively activates transcriptional regulators that drive memory consolidation.
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Claudia López Lloreda
26 November 2025 | 4 min read
Sex hormone boosts female rats’ sensitivity to unexpected rewards
During the high-estradiol stages of their estrus cycle, female rats learn faster than they do during other stages—and than male rats overall—thanks to a boost in their dopaminergic response to reward, a new study suggests.
Sex hormone boosts female rats’ sensitivity to unexpected rewards
During the high-estradiol stages of their estrus cycle, female rats learn faster than they do during other stages—and than male rats overall—thanks to a boost in their dopaminergic response to reward, a new study suggests.
By
Angie Voyles Askham
26 November 2025 | 5 min read