Cerebellum
Recent articles
Supersized version of Alzheimer’s protein avoids clumping in brain
“Big tau” may explain why some brain regions, such as the cerebellum and brainstem, are largely spared from neurodegeneration, even though tau is expressed throughout the nervous system.
![Research image of tau proteins in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/tauPET-landscape-1200-1024x692.webp)
Supersized version of Alzheimer’s protein avoids clumping in brain
“Big tau” may explain why some brain regions, such as the cerebellum and brainstem, are largely spared from neurodegeneration, even though tau is expressed throughout the nervous system.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![Research image of neurons in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (right, in green) sending signals to cells in the pontine nucleus (left, in yellow) to quell pain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
Mutation in top autism-linked gene may alter eye reflex
The discovery could help clinicians diagnose children who carry mutations in the gene, called SCN2A, and gauge their responses to potential therapies.
![A slice of a cerebellum.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-lede-cerebellar-plasticity-autism-1024x692.png)
Mutation in top autism-linked gene may alter eye reflex
The discovery could help clinicians diagnose children who carry mutations in the gene, called SCN2A, and gauge their responses to potential therapies.
Expanding ‘little brain’ may have powered dinosaur flight
The cerebellum swelled in size before flight evolved among modern birds’ dinosaur ancestors, according to a new comparison of fossilized skulls and living birds.
![An image of a fossil.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-evolution-of-flight-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Expanding ‘little brain’ may have powered dinosaur flight
The cerebellum swelled in size before flight evolved among modern birds’ dinosaur ancestors, according to a new comparison of fossilized skulls and living birds.
Null and Noteworthy: Busting biomarkers; going after GABA; reproducibility illusion
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, scientists find little to be excited about in research on biomarkers for neurodevelopmental conditions.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/844_Null2_01.jpg)
Null and Noteworthy: Busting biomarkers; going after GABA; reproducibility illusion
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, scientists find little to be excited about in research on biomarkers for neurodevelopmental conditions.
Flexible genomic architecture undergoes major redesigns during cerebellum development
A new atlas reveals how the structural shake-ups within a cell’s genome differ by cell type and brain region over time.
![Three-dimensional structure of cells in the cerebellum.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/3D-Genome-autism-844.jpg)
Flexible genomic architecture undergoes major redesigns during cerebellum development
A new atlas reveals how the structural shake-ups within a cell’s genome differ by cell type and brain region over time.
Null and Noteworthy: Brain aging, oxytocin pathways, biomarker back-up
Null and replicated results in this month’s newsletter tackle aging, a purported pathway for oxytocin’s effects on autistic people, and a possible autism biomarker.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/lights_03-scaled.jpg)
Null and Noteworthy: Brain aging, oxytocin pathways, biomarker back-up
Null and replicated results in this month’s newsletter tackle aging, a purported pathway for oxytocin’s effects on autistic people, and a possible autism biomarker.
Mouse study links dopamine in cerebellum to social behavior
The signaling molecule’s social role in the ‘little brain’ involves Purkinje neurons in the Crus I and Crus II regions, a new study reveals.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dopamine844.jpg)
Mouse study links dopamine in cerebellum to social behavior
The signaling molecule’s social role in the ‘little brain’ involves Purkinje neurons in the Crus I and Crus II regions, a new study reveals.
Null and Noteworthy: INSAR keynote, typical cerebellums, social subdomains
In this edition, researchers sink a purported link between cerebellar volume and autism and buoy a theory about measuring social behaviors.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/844_Null2_01.jpg)
Null and Noteworthy: INSAR keynote, typical cerebellums, social subdomains
In this edition, researchers sink a purported link between cerebellar volume and autism and buoy a theory about measuring social behaviors.
Mouse models mirror cerebellum patterns seen in autism
Animals with different autism-linked mutations share disruptions to the mTOR signaling pathway, pointing to a potential molecular mechanism for the atypical cerebellar development seen in some autistic people.
![White lab mice bunched up in corner of cage.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Cerebellum-INSAR-Autism-844.jpg)
Mouse models mirror cerebellum patterns seen in autism
Animals with different autism-linked mutations share disruptions to the mTOR signaling pathway, pointing to a potential molecular mechanism for the atypical cerebellar development seen in some autistic people.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cracking the code of the extracellular matrix
Despite evidence for a role in plasticity and other crucial functions, many neuroscientists still view these proteins as “brain goop.” The field needs technical advances and a shift in scientific thinking to move beyond this outdated perspective.
![Colorful illustration of a latticework of proteins.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ECM-Molofsky-neuroscience-1200-1024x692.png)
Cracking the code of the extracellular matrix
Despite evidence for a role in plasticity and other crucial functions, many neuroscientists still view these proteins as “brain goop.” The field needs technical advances and a shift in scientific thinking to move beyond this outdated perspective.
Huntington’s disease gene variants past a certain size poison select cells
The findings—providing “the next step in the whole pathway”—help explain the disease’s late onset and offer hope that it has an extended therapeutic window.
![A repeated DNA strand extends farther from the left side of the image with each iteration.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1200-hungintons-disease-repeats-cell-death-neuroscience-1024x683.png)
Huntington’s disease gene variants past a certain size poison select cells
The findings—providing “the next step in the whole pathway”—help explain the disease’s late onset and offer hope that it has an extended therapeutic window.
X marks the spot in search for autism variants
Genetic variants on the X chromosome, including those in the gene DDX53, contribute to autism’s gender imbalance, two new studies suggest.
![Research image highlighting different brain regions.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1200-transmitter-neuroscience-DDX53-genetic-variants-1024x683.png)
X marks the spot in search for autism variants
Genetic variants on the X chromosome, including those in the gene DDX53, contribute to autism’s gender imbalance, two new studies suggest.