Helen Pearson is a science writer based in New York City.
Helen Pearson
Freelance writer
Simons Foundation
From this contributor
Father’s advanced age feeds autism risk
Are older fathers more likely to have children with autism? A series of epidemiological studies is giving credence to the idea, suggesting that, with age, sperm may accumulate damage that increases risk in the next generation.
Sense of ‘self’ impaired in autism
People with autism struggle to see their own role in social situations. That's the conclusion from the first study to scan individualsʼ brains while they interact with another person - a technique that could lead to a diagnostic tool.
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Neuroscientists challenge NIH’s proposed human-data access policy
The changes would restrict the sharing of human neuroimaging, transcriptomic and genetic data.
Neuroscientists challenge NIH’s proposed human-data access policy
The changes would restrict the sharing of human neuroimaging, transcriptomic and genetic data.
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Claudia López Lloreda
17 March 2026 | 5 min read
David Sussillo on persistence, luck and the bonds between life and work
In a Q&A about his new book, “Emergence,” Sussillo shares why he wrote it and how challenging circumstances shaped his journey into neuroscience.
David Sussillo on persistence, luck and the bonds between life and work
In a Q&A about his new book, “Emergence,” Sussillo shares why he wrote it and how challenging circumstances shaped his journey into neuroscience.
By
Francisco J. Rivera Rosario, David Sussillo
17 March 2026 | 9 min read
Leucovorin, long-read sequencing, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 16 March.
Leucovorin, long-read sequencing, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 16 March.
By
Jill Adams
17 March 2026 | 2 min read