Katherine Gotham is assistant professor of psychiatry at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/authors/katherinegotham.jpg)
Katherine Gotham
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Rowan University
From this contributor
Measuring alexithymia in autistic people
Despite the growing interest in alexithymia in autism research, the tools commonly used to measure this trait may not work reliably in autistic populations. A new scoring method fills that gap.
![Illustration shows a woman thinking as she is surrounded by signs with feelings on them and question marks.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210330-Alexithymia844.jpg)
Measuring alexithymia in autistic people
Suicidal tendencies hard to spot in some people with autism
To effectively screen for suicidality in people with autism, we need to learn how to ask questions that lead to real answers.
![Illustration of people sitting at a party with looming shadows.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/suicide.jpg)
Suicidal tendencies hard to spot in some people with autism
Understanding aggression in autism
Two new studies explore the link between autism and aggression — a controversial connection that weighs heavily on individuals with the disorder and their families.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2014/blog2014/20141205gbloggothamrichleraggression.jpg)
Understanding aggression in autism
How persistent worrying might cause the blues
When individuals with autism see themselves as impaired and get stuck on those thoughts, they may become and stay depressed, says Katherine Gotham.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/image-archive/images/images-2014/blog2014/20140613guestbloggotham.jpg)
How persistent worrying might cause the blues
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.