Esther Landhuis is a freelance science writer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, Science, Science News for Students and Alzheimer Research Forum, among other publications. She has extensive experience reporting on neurodegenerative brain disorders. She has a Ph.D. in immunology from Harvard University. She tweets @elandhuis.
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Esther Landhuis
From this contributor
Elizabeth Berry-Kravis: Running a marathon for fragile X syndrome
Elizabeth Berry-Kravis has spent decades uncovering molecular clues to fragile X syndrome and crafting trials of treatments. Her efforts are paying off.
![Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis stretching during a run.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20210526-BKravis-Lead844.jpg)
Elizabeth Berry-Kravis: Running a marathon for fragile X syndrome
Drug boosts cognition in men with fragile X syndrome
A drug that prevents an enzyme from breaking down a key molecule involved in learning and memory improved cognition and behavior in a small study of men with fragile X syndrome.
![three black and white monkey brain views next to three color versions showing the a drug target area colored red.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/20210429FragileXbreaking844.jpg)
Drug boosts cognition in men with fragile X syndrome
Gene-editing tool used to map lineage of cells
Researchers have repurposed CRISPR, the popular gene-editing tool, for tracing cell lineages in whole organisms.
![Photograph of a group of zebrafish.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160629-gestaltZebrafish.844.jpg)
Gene-editing tool used to map lineage of cells
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.