Polina Porotskaya is a former intern at Spectrum and a graduate student in the Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program at New York University. Polina writes about neuroscience, biology and medicine. She has a B.A. in neuroscience from Columbia University.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/IMG_3500.jpg)
Polina Porotskaya
From this contributor
Inside a summer camp for autistic children in Russia
Photographs show how a camp in St. Petersburg this summer helped children on the spectrum and their families find some fun during the pandemic.
![young autistic girl in playroom with a tennis ball that matches her yellow dyed hair.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200901-RussiaPhotos-844.jpg)
Inside a summer camp for autistic children in Russia
Cell stress may sap organoids’ usefulness in autism research
Some cells in brain organoids — 3D clusters of cultured brain cells — fail to develop fully.
![Brain organoid cells look different than those in embryonic brain tissue-grid of six images show growth of both types over time.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20200226-CorticalOrganoids844.jpg)
Cell stress may sap organoids’ usefulness in autism research
Diabetes drug delivers multiple benefits for people with fragile X syndrome
Researcher Randi Hagerman is a big proponent of metformin — a diabetes drug that she is testing in people with fragile X syndrome. In fact, Hagerman takes the drug herself as a preventive measure against cancer.
![Colorful figure with a circle shape (a pill) and an orange X in the background symbolizing Fragile X](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190917-McCarthy844.jpg)
Diabetes drug delivers multiple benefits for people with fragile X syndrome
Mutations in sperm may accrue too slowly to increase autism risk
A new analysis challenges the idea that mutations in the sperm of older fathers lead to higher rates of autism among their children.
![Older father carries son in reed baseball cap](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/20190905-PaternalAge844.jpg)
Mutations in sperm may accrue too slowly to increase autism risk
New maps of neuronal connections reveal roundworms’ wiring
Two new maps show the entire nervous system of the adult roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/20190830-Connectomes844.jpg)
New maps of neuronal connections reveal roundworms’ wiring
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.