Jyoti Madhusoodanan

Jyoti Madhusoodanan is a freelance science writer based in Portland, Oregon.

From this contributor

Spectrum

By Jyoti Madhusoodanan

12 August 2020

15 min read

Illustration shows an ear balancing on a brain, surrounded by barriers blocking sound waves

Confusion at the crossroads of autism and hearing loss

Hearing difficulties and autism often overlap, exacerbating autism traits and complicating diagnoses.

Illustration shows an ear balancing on a brain, surrounded by barriers blocking sound waves

Spectrum

Confusion at the crossroads of autism and hearing loss

By Jyoti Madhusoodanan

12 August 2020 | 15 min read

Spectrum

By Jyoti Madhusoodanan

14 November 2019

4 min read

Close-up of child's hand on wet window

Mutations in cancer gene tied to unique autism traits

Autistic people who carry mutations in a gene called PTEN have distinct behavioral and motor problems.

Close-up of child's hand on wet window

Spectrum

Mutations in cancer gene tied to unique autism traits

By Jyoti Madhusoodanan

14 November 2019 | 4 min read

Spectrum

By Jyoti Madhusoodanan

28 October 2019

3 min read

Choosing between two plates: on the left, salmon and on the right, supplements.

Analysis finds little evidence to support dietary interventions for autism

Special diets that eliminate certain foods or contain added supplements have minimal impact on autism traits, according to a review of 27 clinical trials.

Choosing between two plates: on the left, salmon and on the right, supplements.

Spectrum

Analysis finds little evidence to support dietary interventions for autism

By Jyoti Madhusoodanan

28 October 2019 | 3 min read

Spectrum

By Jyoti Madhusoodanan

21 August 2019

3 min read

therapist in session with child, showing picture cards.

Studies of autism treatments lack standard yardsticks

Clinical trials of autism treatments rarely use a consistent set of tools to measure efficacy, making it tough to compare the treatments.

therapist in session with child, showing picture cards.

Spectrum

Studies of autism treatments lack standard yardsticks

By Jyoti Madhusoodanan

21 August 2019 | 3 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Spectrum

By Holly Barker

8 July 2026

5 min read

Research image of proliferating neural cells.

Diverse autism genes derail common developmental pathways

Multiple genetic mouse models initially show delayed cortical development, but the animals’ molecular trajectories diverge within weeks after birth, a new study finds.

Research image of proliferating neural cells.

Spectrum

Diverse autism genes derail common developmental pathways

Multiple genetic mouse models initially show delayed cortical development, but the animals’ molecular trajectories diverge within weeks after birth, a new study finds.

By Holly Barker

8 July 2026 | 5 min read

Sex differences

By Lauren Schenkman

8 July 2026

5 min read

Brain scans showing sex-based activation differences.

Brain’s sex differences are subtle and contradictory, large MRI study finds

Sex-based behavioral differences do not match with variations in brain activation or structure in a study of almost 1,000 people.

Brain scans showing sex-based activation differences.

Sex differences

Brain’s sex differences are subtle and contradictory, large MRI study finds

Sex-based behavioral differences do not match with variations in brain activation or structure in a study of almost 1,000 people.

By Lauren Schenkman

8 July 2026 | 5 min read

Spectrum

By Sarah Thau

7 July 2026

2 min read

Research image of autism-linked gene PTEN changes in neurons.

A consensus on the definition of profound autism, and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 5 July.

Research image of autism-linked gene PTEN changes in neurons.

Spectrum

A consensus on the definition of profound autism, and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 5 July.

By Sarah Thau

7 July 2026 | 2 min read