Postmortem brains
Recent articles
Giant analysis reveals how autism-linked genes affect brain cell types
Genes that predispose people to autism account for a large portion of the neuronal and glial cell changes seen in those with the condition.
![Research illustration groups genes by their effects on brain cell types.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/fig-6a-1024x683.webp)
Giant analysis reveals how autism-linked genes affect brain cell types
Genes that predispose people to autism account for a large portion of the neuronal and glial cell changes seen in those with the condition.
‘SNAP’ dance of astrocytes and neurons falls out of step with age, disease
The findings add to growing evidence that astrocytes are star players in cognition.
![A research image showing astrocytes and neurons](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Genes-neuroscience-1200-1024x692.webp)
‘SNAP’ dance of astrocytes and neurons falls out of step with age, disease
The findings add to growing evidence that astrocytes are star players in cognition.
Cortical interneurons derive differently in human brains
Excitatory neurons and some inhibitory neurons in the adult human cortex share parents, challenging the longstanding idea that the two cell types have different origins.
![Illustration of two neurons with a shared origin point.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/neurons-origins-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cortical interneurons derive differently in human brains
Excitatory neurons and some inhibitory neurons in the adult human cortex share parents, challenging the longstanding idea that the two cell types have different origins.
Vast diversity of human brain cell types revealed in trove of new datasets
The collection offers a glimpse into differences in cell composition — across people and brain regions — that may shape neural function.
![Research image of various types of cells.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CellCensus_1200.jpg)
Vast diversity of human brain cell types revealed in trove of new datasets
The collection offers a glimpse into differences in cell composition — across people and brain regions — that may shape neural function.
Head size parts autism into two major subtypes
An imbalance in the number of excitatory neurons in early brain development may account for the difference.
![Research image of organoids in the forebrain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-head-size-autism-two-major-subtypes.png)
Head size parts autism into two major subtypes
An imbalance in the number of excitatory neurons in early brain development may account for the difference.
Preprint questions validity of postmortem brain studies
But the alternatives, including living-brain biopsies, raise logistical and ethical questions, experts say.
![A brain slice under a microscope.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1200-postmortem-brain-studies-validity-autism.jpg)
Preprint questions validity of postmortem brain studies
But the alternatives, including living-brain biopsies, raise logistical and ethical questions, experts say.
Atlas of gene activity in prenatal brain holds clues to autism
Genes exert their strongest influence on the brain in the first half of gestation — a key window for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
![Research diagram of gene clusters.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/844-lede-final-1.png)
Atlas of gene activity in prenatal brain holds clues to autism
Genes exert their strongest influence on the brain in the first half of gestation — a key window for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Immunity-linked genes expressed differently in brains of autistic people
Postmortem brain samples from people with one of six conditions, including autism, show distinct signatures of over- and underexpression of immune genes.
![A sliced section of a human brain is displayed for a photograph.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/844-autism-neuroimmune-transcriptome-changes.jpg)
Immunity-linked genes expressed differently in brains of autistic people
Postmortem brain samples from people with one of six conditions, including autism, show distinct signatures of over- and underexpression of immune genes.
Highly expressed genes may buffer against autism-linked mutations in girls
Such high expression levels may account for the condition’s sex bias, a new preprint suggests — but not everyone agrees with that logic.
![Figure showing an analysis of gene expression in cells across development.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/lede-844-genes-buffer-autism-mutation-girls.png)
Highly expressed genes may buffer against autism-linked mutations in girls
Such high expression levels may account for the condition’s sex bias, a new preprint suggests — but not everyone agrees with that logic.
Autism’s sex bias tied to glial, immune cell gene expression
The function of microglia and astrocytes in the brain may mediate the intersection of sex-differential biology and autism biology.
![Light micrograph of microglia cells stained with Rio Hortega’s silver carbonate method.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Prenatal-brain-microglia-autism-844.jpg)
Autism’s sex bias tied to glial, immune cell gene expression
The function of microglia and astrocytes in the brain may mediate the intersection of sex-differential biology and autism biology.
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.