
Holly Barker
Science journalist based in London, UK. Writing for @Spectrum, @TheScientistLLC and @DiscoverMag. She/her.
Articles
-
1 week ago |
thetransmitter.org | Holly Barker |Angie Voyles Askham |Calli McMurray
Recent articles His theories around the neuropod have challenged the boundaries of classic ideas regarding gut-brain communication. His theories around the neuropod have challenged the boundaries of classic ideas regarding gut-brain communication.
-
2 months ago |
thetransmitter.org | Calli McMurray |Jill Adams |Holly Barker |Charles Choi
Twenty mouse models of autism can be sorted into two subtypes based on functional connectivity across the entire brain, a new preprint reports. The subtypes reflect changes in different molecular pathways and map on to nearly one-quarter of autistic people represented in a large dataset.
-
2 months ago |
thetransmitter.org | Jill Adams |Holly Barker
Development patterns: Children with agenesis of the corpus callosum, one of the most common congenital brain malformations, show developmental delays that differ from children with a family history of autism and from those with fragile X or Down syndromes, according to a recent study. They tend to have delays in communication, motor and daily living skills compared with neurotypical children at 6, 12 and 18 months of age, respectively, but similar social skills.
-
2 months ago |
thetransmitter.org | Holly Barker
A potential new gene therapy for Dravet syndrome increases survival and prevents seizures, according to initial tests in mice, a new study shows. The approach delivers two viruses—each carrying a portion of the therapeutic gene—selectively to inhibitory interneurons, the cell type affected in the condition.
-
2 months ago |
thetransmitter.org | Holly Barker |Jill Adams |Charles Choi
Genetic changes that damage PTEN, a gene strongly linked to autism, cause a buildup of brain fluid by prompting neural stem cells to proliferate and block a channel that drains the ventricles, a new mouse study finds. Loss of PTEN protein—a key regulator of cell division—also drives a surplus of inhibitory interneurons that impairs cortical function in mice. Blocking the signaling pathway underlying this proliferation decreases these brain changes in mice, the study shows.
Try JournoFinder For Free
Search and contact over 1M+ journalist profiles, browse 100M+ articles, and unlock powerful PR tools.
Start Your 7-Day Free Trial →X (formerly Twitter)
- Followers
- 100
- Tweets
- 54
- DMs Open
- No

RT @_TheTransmitter: A non-value-based system in the brain automates decision-making and frees up cognitive resources for other tasks, a ne…

RT @_TheTransmitter: Temperament is innate but hackable, animal studies suggest By Holly Barker https://t.co/8jqTr2Q5K0

The background fizz of neuronal activity—known as "noise"—fluctuates more in autism models and may cause problems with sensory perception, according to a study by @africk19's lab. Read my latest in @_TheTransmitter https://t.co/szKoYHNMjT