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A genetics-first clinic for catching developmental conditions early: Q&A with Jacob Vorstman
A new clinic is assessing children who have a genetic predisposition for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions—sometimes before traits appear.
![Stock photograph of a women and her young child at a clinician’s office.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/evaluation-1200-1024x692.webp)
A genetics-first clinic for catching developmental conditions early: Q&A with Jacob Vorstman
A new clinic is assessing children who have a genetic predisposition for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions—sometimes before traits appear.
Leveraging the power of community to strengthen clinical trials for rare genetic syndromes
Families can become not only participants but champions of these research efforts.
![A hand holds a stack of speech bubbles.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NEW-landscape-1200-1024x692.webp)
Leveraging the power of community to strengthen clinical trials for rare genetic syndromes
Families can become not only participants but champions of these research efforts.
Building bridges: Collaboration across the autism community
An autistic person and the mother of an autistic child explore partnership in the autism community.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1200-lutz-1024x683.webp)
Building bridges: Collaboration across the autism community
An autistic person and the mother of an autistic child explore partnership in the autism community.
Social skills decline during adolescence for a sliver of autistic youth
Most children with the condition, however, gain communication and social abilities over time.
![Five high-school-aged students sit on a bench looking at notebooks and a laptop.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1200-lede-developmental-trajectories-communication-social-autism.png)
Social skills decline during adolescence for a sliver of autistic youth
Most children with the condition, however, gain communication and social abilities over time.
Co-occurring conditions in autistic teens increase with age
The most prevalent conditions include obesity, neurological disorders, anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
![Photograph of a doctor and nurse checking a patient’s temperature and taking notes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/co-occurring-conditions-autism-teens-811.png)
Co-occurring conditions in autistic teens increase with age
The most prevalent conditions include obesity, neurological disorders, anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Broadening the autism spectrum: Q&A with Oluwatobi Abubakare
Too often, people outside the margins of what’s considered classic autism are left out of research agendas, Abubakare says.
![A group of rectangles placed against a colorful background contains diverse colors and patterns.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/autism-spectrum-broaden-qa-abubakare-844.jpg)
Broadening the autism spectrum: Q&A with Oluwatobi Abubakare
Too often, people outside the margins of what’s considered classic autism are left out of research agendas, Abubakare says.
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.