Virginia Gewin is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon.
Virginia Gewin
Freelance Writer
SFARI
From this contributor
Scientists find molecular player in Angelman syndrome
Two independent teams have discovered key molecular steps in the way a single gene disrupts the connections between neurons in individuals with Angelman syndrome. Because the gene, UBE3A, has also been linked to autism, the findings could help scientists understand and treat a range of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Scientists find molecular player in Angelman syndrome
By
Virginia Gewin
27 April 2010 | 7 min read
Postmortem brains point to impaired inhibition in autism
Researchers have found a higher density of several types of interneurons — nerve cells that connect sensory and motor neurons in the brain— in postmortem brain tissue from individuals with autism, compared with healthy controls. The findings appear in the February issue of Acta Neurologica Scandinavica.
Postmortem brains point to impaired inhibition in autism
By
Virginia Gewin
4 March 2010 | 7 min read
Loss of inhibitory neurons marks autism mouse models
Autism may be the result of faulty wiring that occurs during early brain development, according to two independent studies that looked at the origins of circuit disruption.
Loss of inhibitory neurons marks autism mouse models
By
Virginia Gewin
24 November 2009 | 8 min read
Autism marked by altered trajectory of brain growth
Although the head overall is bigger in some children with autism, researchers have found more informative differences in size — some smaller, some larger — across regions of the brain.
Autism marked by altered trajectory of brain growth
By
Virginia Gewin
3 November 2009 | 8 min read
Eye-tracking brings focus to ‘theory of mind’
People with Asperger syndrome don't automatically show 'theory of mind', the ability to understand the desires and beliefs of others, according to a report published 16 July in Science. Instead, they seem to use deliberate reasoning to understand social behaviors, learned after years of practice in the real world. Watch the video
Explore more from The Transmitter
‘Brain Flows: How Network Dynamics Compose the Human Mind,’ an excerpt
In his new book, published today, Michael W. Cole examines how the movement of neuronal activity between neuronal populations shapes free will, intelligence and creativity. In this excerpt from Chapter 1, Cole explores why activity flows could unify efforts to map brain functions and connectivity.
‘Brain Flows: How Network Dynamics Compose the Human Mind,’ an excerpt
In his new book, published today, Michael W. Cole examines how the movement of neuronal activity between neuronal populations shapes free will, intelligence and creativity. In this excerpt from Chapter 1, Cole explores why activity flows could unify efforts to map brain functions and connectivity.
By
Michael W. Cole
3 November 2026 | 9 min read
Prenatal pruning of neurons with copy number variants; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 2 November.
Prenatal pruning of neurons with copy number variants; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 2 November.
By
Jill Adams
3 November 2026 | 2 min read
New Stanford initiative aims to build digital twin of human brain
The effort, funded by private donors, seeks to train the model on a trove of MRI and magnetoencephalography data that scientists plan to collect over the next five years—but questions about its scientific utility and feasibility remain.
New Stanford initiative aims to build digital twin of human brain
The effort, funded by private donors, seeks to train the model on a trove of MRI and magnetoencephalography data that scientists plan to collect over the next five years—but questions about its scientific utility and feasibility remain.
By
Natalia Mesa
2 November 2026 | 0 min watch