Metabolism
Into the woods with Susan Masino
When she isn't researching the links between metabolism and brain activity, this neuroscientist logs time in forests and advocates for protecting green spaces.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Susan-Masino-1200-1024x692.webp)
Into the woods with Susan Masino
When she isn't researching the links between metabolism and brain activity, this neuroscientist logs time in forests and advocates for protecting green spaces.
Rare autism-linked mutation starves growing neurons of essential nutrients
The mutation prevents certain amino acids from entering neurons, causing the cells to die early in development.
![Research image of the blood-brain barrier.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/844-lede-autism-linked-mutation-neurons-nutrients.png)
Rare autism-linked mutation starves growing neurons of essential nutrients
The mutation prevents certain amino acids from entering neurons, causing the cells to die early in development.
Dietary changes ease traits in rare autism-linked condition
Early treatment with nutritional supplements and a high-protein diet forestalls some neurodevelopmental problems for children with BCKDK deficiency.
![A photograph of an infant's foot.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/844.jpeg)
Dietary changes ease traits in rare autism-linked condition
Early treatment with nutritional supplements and a high-protein diet forestalls some neurodevelopmental problems for children with BCKDK deficiency.
Experimental drug shows promise for autism-linked syndromes
The drug quells seizures in children with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
![An adult administers a medication to an infant.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Soticlestat-trial-medicine-autism-844.jpg)
Experimental drug shows promise for autism-linked syndromes
The drug quells seizures in children with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Meet the company trying precision medicine for autism
Swiss biotech Stalicla hopes to bring precision medicine to autism. Experts praise efforts to identify autism subgroups, but evidence to support the company’s claims has yet to be seen.
![Brain made up of two different medicines](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Stalicla-treatment-autism-844.jpg)
Meet the company trying precision medicine for autism
Swiss biotech Stalicla hopes to bring precision medicine to autism. Experts praise efforts to identify autism subgroups, but evidence to support the company’s claims has yet to be seen.
Altering metabolic pathway spurs neuronal, behavioral changes in mice
Overexpressing genes involved in the pathway, which regulates protein quality, changes repetitive behaviors in the animals.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Fig3Puglielli-844.jpg)
Altering metabolic pathway spurs neuronal, behavioral changes in mice
Overexpressing genes involved in the pathway, which regulates protein quality, changes repetitive behaviors in the animals.
Mitochondria: An energy explanation for autism
People with autism have more mutations than others do in both mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA that affects mitochondrial function.
Mitochondria: An energy explanation for autism
People with autism have more mutations than others do in both mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA that affects mitochondrial function.
Meet the ‘mitomaniacs’ who say mitochondria matter in autism
Clues that problems with mitochondria contribute to autism have been accumulating for decades. In the past five years, a mutant mouse and a flurry of findings have energized the field.
![Stylized illustration combines flat color and 3D forms make up a mitochondria with human heads inside it.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/LeadMito844.jpg)
Meet the ‘mitomaniacs’ who say mitochondria matter in autism
Clues that problems with mitochondria contribute to autism have been accumulating for decades. In the past five years, a mutant mouse and a flurry of findings have energized the field.
Diets may help autistic children with certain genetic profiles
No diet is likely to treat autistic people on a large scale, but diets based on a genetic profile may bring big benefits to a few.
![Illustration shows boy with bag of oranges, in landscape of food with DNA trailing around him](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191217-Gleeson844.jpg)
Diets may help autistic children with certain genetic profiles
No diet is likely to treat autistic people on a large scale, but diets based on a genetic profile may bring big benefits to a few.
Levels of brain chemicals may reflect severity of autism traits
The levels of four chemicals in the brain may distinguish autism and vary with its severity, according to a new study.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/20190822-Metabolic844final-1.jpg)
Levels of brain chemicals may reflect severity of autism traits
The levels of four chemicals in the brain may distinguish autism and vary with its severity, according to a new study.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Brain ‘chimeroids’ reveal person-to-person differences rooted in genetics
These fusions created from multiple donors’ organoids may help scale up comparative brain research.
![Research image of a chimeroid.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chimeroid-Lede-1200-1024x692.webp)
Brain ‘chimeroids’ reveal person-to-person differences rooted in genetics
These fusions created from multiple donors’ organoids may help scale up comparative brain research.
Postdoc’s grad-school sleuthing raises questions about bee waggle-dance data
A journal has flagged two papers with expressions of concern, which note a co-author acknowledged errors.
![Picture of bees in flight.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Navigation-bee.1200-1024x692.webp)
Postdoc’s grad-school sleuthing raises questions about bee waggle-dance data
A journal has flagged two papers with expressions of concern, which note a co-author acknowledged errors.
Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.
![A research image of X chromosomes with Fragile X syndrome](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_FragileX-1024x683.webp)
Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.