Ibrahim Rayintakath
Illustrator
From this contributor
Can an emerging field called ‘neural systems understanding’ explain the brain?
This mashup of neuroscience, artificial intelligence and even linguistics and philosophy of mind aims to crack the deep question of what "understanding" is, however un-brain-like its models may be.
![Illustration of a series of squares containing distinct patterns.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LLM-neuroscience-Inside1-1200-1024x692.webp)
Can an emerging field called ‘neural systems understanding’ explain the brain?
When do neural representations give rise to mental representations?
To answer this question, consider the animal’s umwelt, or what it needs to know about the world.
![Illustration of a frog in front of a composite of images of flora and fauna in the frog’s surroundings.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Representation-Mitchell-1200-1024x692.webp)
When do neural representations give rise to mental representations?
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
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
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.
![](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.