RTNS 2012

Recent articles

Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Better tools needed to assess clinical trials

The past few years have seen an unprecedented number of clinical trials for experimental drugs to treat autism-related disorders, most notably for fragile X syndrome. But as the trials progress, scientists are calling for better methods to measure the drugs’ effectiveness.

By Emily Singer
14 May 2012 | 6 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Trials and tribulations

Clinical trials for fragile X drugs should include a behavioral therapy component, says a parent of a child with the disorder.

By Emily Singer
11 May 2012 | 3 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Compensatory mechanisms

Identifying genetic and other factors that protect children at risk of autism from developing the disorder could provide new avenues for treatment.

By Emily Singer
8 May 2012 | 3 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Debate over quality of adult-derived stem cells rages on

As the use of induced pluripotent stem cells grows, researchers are searching for ways to make them behave more predictably. 

By Emily Singer
7 May 2012 | 8 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Complex case

Multiple levels of complexity make it challenging to develop drugs to treat autism.

By Emily Singer
4 May 2012 | 3 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Fast-forward

In the last three years, autism researchers have gone from sequencing single genes to whole exomes, as highlighted at the Translational Neuroscience Symposium in Switzerland last week.

By Emily Singer
27 April 2012 | 3 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Coding error caused layoffs at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke this week, source says

Thirty employees—including 11 lab heads—at the institute should “immediately return to work,” according to an email the institute’s Office of Human Resources sent to top administration at the institute Wednesday evening.

By Sydney Wyatt
3 April 2025 | 3 min read

PTEN problems underscore autism connection to excess brain fluid

Damaging variants in the autism-linked gene cause congenital hydrocephalus—a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain—by turbocharging a downstream signaling pathway that promotes the growth of cells, according to a new study.

By Holly Barker
3 April 2025 | 4 min read

U.S. health agency purge includes 10 lab heads at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

The reasons for selecting these researchers—who have led work on neuronal migration, dopamine receptors in neuronal signaling and the structure of ion channels, among other areas—remain unclear.

By Angie Voyles Askham, Sydney Wyatt
2 April 2025 | 5 min read