Evolution
Newly found circuit through visual cortex powers first look at faces
The superior colliculus, an evolutionarily ancient brain area responsible for eye movements, responds to faces before the canonical face areas do, a study of macaque monkeys suggests.
![A marble bust of a face that is covered in real leaves.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FaceCircuit-1200-1024x692.png)
Newly found circuit through visual cortex powers first look at faces
The superior colliculus, an evolutionarily ancient brain area responsible for eye movements, responds to faces before the canonical face areas do, a study of macaque monkeys suggests.
New look at lampreys rewrites textbooks on origins of sympathetic nervous system
Sympathetic neurons pepper the embryos of the jawless fish—Earth’s first vertebrates—and overturn the idea that “fight or flight” was an innovation of jawed vertebrates.
![Research image of a lamprey.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200-inside-TH-Lamprey-1024x683.webp)
New look at lampreys rewrites textbooks on origins of sympathetic nervous system
Sympathetic neurons pepper the embryos of the jawless fish—Earth’s first vertebrates—and overturn the idea that “fight or flight” was an innovation of jawed vertebrates.
Setting up a frog colony and pair bonding with Lauren O’Connell
To become a scientist, O’Connell first needed to leave the family farm.
![Illustrated portrait of Lauren O’Connell.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lauren0connell-1200-1024x692.webp)
Setting up a frog colony and pair bonding with Lauren O’Connell
To become a scientist, O’Connell first needed to leave the family farm.
Number-associated neurons help crows link values to symbols
Comparable neurons also exist in primates, which shared a common ancestor with crows more than 300 million years ago, suggesting that the ability to “count” evolved independently in the two lineages.
![A photograph of a crow against a dark backdrop](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-crow-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Number-associated neurons help crows link values to symbols
Comparable neurons also exist in primates, which shared a common ancestor with crows more than 300 million years ago, suggesting that the ability to “count” evolved independently in the two lineages.
Cortical interneurons derive differently in human brains
Excitatory neurons and some inhibitory neurons in the adult human cortex share parents, challenging the longstanding idea that the two cell types have different origins.
![Illustration of two neurons with a shared origin point.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/neurons-origins-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cortical interneurons derive differently in human brains
Excitatory neurons and some inhibitory neurons in the adult human cortex share parents, challenging the longstanding idea that the two cell types have different origins.
Father’s genes may drive sociability in male monkeys
The findings in rhesus macaque monkeys may provide clues to sex differences in the heredity of social behavior in people.
![Photograph of a family of rhesus macaque monkeys.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1200-rhesus-macaque-social-functioning-autism.png)
Father’s genes may drive sociability in male monkeys
The findings in rhesus macaque monkeys may provide clues to sex differences in the heredity of social behavior in people.
Africa’s genomic role: Q&A with Conrad Iyegbe and Niran Okewole
Psychiatric genomics promises to shed light on the genetic basis of autism, but it’s vital to include Africa in this research, Iyegbe and Okewole say.
![A pattern in the style of genetic sequencing forms into the shape of the African continent.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/844-africa-working-group-autism-final.jpg)
Africa’s genomic role: Q&A with Conrad Iyegbe and Niran Okewole
Psychiatric genomics promises to shed light on the genetic basis of autism, but it’s vital to include Africa in this research, Iyegbe and Okewole say.
In deep water with Gül Dölen
A researcher's existential crisis led to a scientific breakthrough.
![Scientist Gül Dölen smiles while looking towards the window in her lab's office.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Gul-Dolen-portrait-autism-844.jpg)
In deep water with Gül Dölen
A researcher's existential crisis led to a scientific breakthrough.
Gene repeats tied to autism may prevent anemia
Extra copies of a gene called BOLA2 predispose people to autism and may protect against iron deficiency.
![red blood cells](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191209-BOLA-844.jpg)
Gene repeats tied to autism may prevent anemia
Extra copies of a gene called BOLA2 predispose people to autism and may protect against iron deficiency.
Zebrafish show true colors as models for autism sleep studies
Sleeping zebrafish show two patterns of neuronal activity that are analogous to those in people.
![Glowing neurons in the transparent young zebrafish highlight activity in its brain and muscles.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/CNSandMuscle844.jpg)
Zebrafish show true colors as models for autism sleep studies
Sleeping zebrafish show two patterns of neuronal activity that are analogous to those in people.
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.