Eye tracking
Recent articles
Newly found circuit through visual cortex powers first look at faces
The superior colliculus, an evolutionarily ancient brain area responsible for eye movements, responds to faces before the canonical face areas do, a study of macaque monkeys suggests.
![A marble bust of a face that is covered in real leaves.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FaceCircuit-1200-1024x692.png)
Newly found circuit through visual cortex powers first look at faces
The superior colliculus, an evolutionarily ancient brain area responsible for eye movements, responds to faces before the canonical face areas do, a study of macaque monkeys suggests.
Visual perception improves in the blink of an eye
Blinking—long considered a problem the brain must overcome to produce seamless vision—may actually be more of a feature than a bug, new research suggests.
![A person sits in an experimental rig that examines eye movements.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eye-Blinks-setup-1200-landscape-1024x683.webp)
Visual perception improves in the blink of an eye
Blinking—long considered a problem the brain must overcome to produce seamless vision—may actually be more of a feature than a bug, new research suggests.
Mutation in top autism-linked gene may alter eye reflex
The discovery could help clinicians diagnose children who carry mutations in the gene, called SCN2A, and gauge their responses to potential therapies.
![A slice of a cerebellum.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-lede-cerebellar-plasticity-autism-1024x692.png)
Mutation in top autism-linked gene may alter eye reflex
The discovery could help clinicians diagnose children who carry mutations in the gene, called SCN2A, and gauge their responses to potential therapies.
New tablet-based tools to spot autism draw excitement — and questions
Handheld devices promise to bring autism detection home, but many researchers urge caution.
![A child uses a tablet device](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-autism-app-tablet-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x683.webp)
New tablet-based tools to spot autism draw excitement — and questions
Handheld devices promise to bring autism detection home, but many researchers urge caution.
Looking at eye tracking’s potential for clinical trials
This month’s Going on Trial newsletter explores how eye tracking might be used beyond helping with diagnosis, among other drug development news.
![A hand reaches from above to add a pill to a stack that is resting against the x-axis of a graph.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/844-going-on-trial-autism-drugs-01.jpg)
Looking at eye tracking’s potential for clinical trials
This month’s Going on Trial newsletter explores how eye tracking might be used beyond helping with diagnosis, among other drug development news.
Debate unfurls over inclusivity and authenticity in research involving minimally verbal autistic people
Autism researchers can’t agree on how far to go to validate the input they gather from minimally verbal autistic people who use certain communication devices.
![An illustration of a hand placing letters spelling the word voice on a black board.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-facilitated-communication-autism.jpg)
Debate unfurls over inclusivity and authenticity in research involving minimally verbal autistic people
Autism researchers can’t agree on how far to go to validate the input they gather from minimally verbal autistic people who use certain communication devices.
Magnetic stimulation for autism: Q&A with Xujun Duan
A new individualized approach to transcranial magnetic stimulation may one day be an effective treatment for social and communication difficulties, if the results from Duan’s small preliminary trial pan out.
![A patient receives transcranial magnetic stimulation.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-autism-1-1024x692.png)
Magnetic stimulation for autism: Q&A with Xujun Duan
A new individualized approach to transcranial magnetic stimulation may one day be an effective treatment for social and communication difficulties, if the results from Duan’s small preliminary trial pan out.
Tablet-based tool to spot autism validated in two studies
The new tool could help clinicians diagnose autism in children younger than 3, the findings show.
![Research images from an eye-tracking study.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Eye-Tracking-autism-Choi-811.jpg)
Tablet-based tool to spot autism validated in two studies
The new tool could help clinicians diagnose autism in children younger than 3, the findings show.
Noah Sasson: Connecting with the autistic community
Intentional interactions with autistic people led Sasson to refocus his research.
![Noah Sasson, a thin white man, stands in a courtyard with his hands in his pockets.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Noah-Sasson-autism-844.jpg)
Noah Sasson: Connecting with the autistic community
Intentional interactions with autistic people led Sasson to refocus his research.
Null and Noteworthy: An ineffective therapy and an effective biomarker
In this edition, a strategy to help autistic children adapt their skills to new situations shows no benefit, but an early-life autism biomarker does.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/844_Null2_01.jpg)
Null and Noteworthy: An ineffective therapy and an effective biomarker
In this edition, a strategy to help autistic children adapt their skills to new situations shows no benefit, but an early-life autism biomarker does.
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.