Microbiome

Recent articles

Illustration of a body, brain visible through a transparent head, looking at orange circles over its hands.

Rethinking mental health: The body’s impact on the brain

Mounting evidence illustrates how peripheral molecules can influence brain function, offering new therapeutic targets.

By Georgia E. Hodes
11 February 2025 | 6 min read
A photograph of researcher Aya Osman

Striking a pose with Aya Osman

The neuroscientist and part-time fashion model opens up about the people who inspire her; her interest in science communication; and how she once ended up on a stage with Channing Tatum.

By Angie Voyles Askham
31 May 2024 | 7 min read
Research image of microglia in rats.

Temperament is innate but hackable, animal studies suggest

Emotional reactivity and vulnerability to stress are largely inherited in rodents — but can be modified in early life by targeting inflammation-related cells or even just adjusting an animal’s environment.

By Holly Barker
23 January 2024 | 8 min read
Digital illustration of Prevotella bacteria.

Gut microbiome meta-analysis reveals consistent autism signal

But the field needs to move on from cross-sectional studies to gain insights into the causes and consequences of the association, experts say.

By Calli McMurray
22 August 2023 | 5 min read

‘wildDISCO’ cocktail yields whole-body maps of mouse neurons and more

A new technique used to create see-through rodents can help scientists analyze how the nervous system interacts with other body systems.

By Charles Q. Choi
20 July 2023 | 4 min read
Illustration of a pregnant woman seated next to a large diagram of the brain featuring chromosomes, bacteria and other microbes.

The link between maternal infection and autism, explained

Having an infection during pregnancy is tied to a small increase in the chances of having an autistic child, but the connection may not be causal.

By Charles Q. Choi
13 December 2022 | 7 min read
Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.

Null and Noteworthy: COVID-19 conclusions; diagnosis duplication; oxytocin again

This month’s newsletter explores the pandemic’s effects on autism rates, trends in co-occurring mental health conditions, and the impact of intranasal oxytocin.

By Emily Harris
10 November 2022 | 5 min read
Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.

Null and Noteworthy: Medication timing; oxytocin amounts; sensory sameness

Parents’ health, treatment dosages and sensory perception feature in this month’s crop of null and replicated results.

By Emily Harris
13 October 2022 | 5 min read

Gut molecule linked to decreased myelination in mouse brains

Targeting the molecule, 4EPS, with an experimental drug may be a way to ease anxiety for autistic people, the researchers say. But not everyone is convinced.

By Angie Voyles Askham
14 February 2022 | 6 min read
Micrograph of intestinal bacteria.

Infection in pregnant mice ups risk of gut problems in pups

Infection during pregnancy can tweak a mouse’s gut microbiome in ways that have lasting effects on her pups’ immune system and increase their chances of gut inflammation, a new study suggests.

By Angie Voyles Askham
18 January 2022 | 5 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Cara Pugliese.

Autism program chief among National Institutes of Health layoffs

The termination is one of more than 1,000 employee cuts at the U.S. agency this week.

By Rachel Zamzow
21 February 2025 | 3 min read
Illustration of columns of text with eyes peeking out from behind the central column to look at a bright blue spot.

This paper changed my Life: Bill Newsome reflects on a quadrilogy of classic visual perception studies

The 1970s papers from Goldberg and Wurtz made ambitious mechanistic studies of higher brain functions seem feasible.

By Bill Newsome
21 February 2025 | 6 min read
Interconnected lines form a world map.

Science must step away from nationally managed infrastructure

Scientific data and independence are at risk. We need to work with community-driven services and university libraries to create new multi-country organizations that are resilient to political interference.

By Dan Goodman
20 February 2025 | 7 min read