Hypothalamus

A man walks a dromedary camel down a hallway.

Temperature tunes circadian timing in some desert mammals

Light has hogged all the attention in chronobiology research—but now, in camel, goat and mole rat experiments, temperature takes the lead.

By Calli McMurray
28 June 2024 | 5 min read
Photograph of an intimidating lab mouse.
Hypothalamus Microphone

Newly found hypothalamus circuits shape bullying behaviors in mice

Activity in the tiny brain region helps submissive rodents learn to avoid aggressors, and aggressive mice to curb their attacks, according to two recent studies.

By Angie Voyles Askham
5 March 2024 | 6 min listen
Scanning elecgron micrograph of Faecal bacteria.

Gut microbes shape social behavior in autism mouse model

Treating mice missing the autism-linked gene CNTNAP2 with a strain of gut bacteria makes them more social but no less hyperactive.

By Angie Voyles Askham
26 March 2021 | 4 min read
four figures overlapping in red and blue with multi-colored genetic info
Spectrum Microphone

Common variants link autism, ADHD, Tourette syndrome

Genetic variants that contribute to autism may also be involved in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Tourette syndrome, according to a new study.

By Laura Dattaro
2 February 2021 | 4 min read

Gut microbes may treat social difficulties in autism mice

Consuming Lactobacillus reuteri, a gut microbe found in yogurt and breast milk, may enhance social interactions in three mouse models of autism.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
16 January 2019 | 5 min read
Photo: Autistic woman Becky Audette lies on a couch under a purple blanket.

Rebooting Becky’s brain

An electrical brain implant all but erased the obsessions that had consumed Becky Audette, years after her autism diagnosis. Could similar implants help other people with severe autism?

By Ingrid Wickelgren
12 September 2018 | 28 min read

Electronic glow may disrupt sleep for people on the spectrum

Exposure to certain types of light at night may exacerbate sleep issues among people with autism.

By Christopher Colwell
13 November 2017 | 6 min read
Brain regions (yellow) altered by missing immune genes correlate with those involved in anxiety.

Imaging study links immune genes to anxiety

Mice missing any of 11 genes involved in the immune response show differences in brain anatomy that track with anxiety.

By Katie Moisse
12 November 2017 | 2 min read
Microscope image of neuronal injections in brain.

Two drugs ease features of autism syndromes in mice

Drugs that block certain brain enzymes could help treat two conditions associated with autism.

By Bahar Gholipour
11 October 2017 | 4 min read

Cannabis candidate; omega add-on; oxytocin control and more

A cannabis gel may ease features of fragile X syndrome, omega fatty acids show promise for autism in two trials, and oxytocin reinforces social behaviors through the brain’s reward pathway.

By Emily Willingham
6 October 2017 | 5 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Illustration of a fly with its life cycle represented on its left and a technological background on its right.

Computational and systems neuroscience needs development

Embracing recent advances in developmental biology can drive a new wave of innovation.

By Ben Scott
2 July 2024 | 6 min read
Illustrated portrait of So Hyun “Sophy” Kim.
Synaptic Microphone

Diagnosing autism and teaching neurodiversity with So Hyun “Sophy” Kim

The Korea University professor on her path to autism research and studying in the United States.

By Brady Huggett
1 July 2024 | 67 min listen
Research image of excitatory synapses in the prefrontal cortex.

Synaptic anomalies in autistic people support imbalance hypothesis

Increased excitatory and decreased inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of autistic people suggest broader impacts on brain function and connectivity.

By Giorgia Guglielmi
27 June 2024 | 4 min read