Locus coeruleus

Recent articles

The brain’s quiet conductor: How hidden cells fine-tune arousal

New research published today suggests that the pericoeruleus acts as a kind of micromanager of arousal, selectively inhibiting different subgroups of locus coeruleus neurons depending on the behavioral context.

By Mac Shine
7 May 2025 | 59 min watch
Three sleeping mice.

Fleeting sleep interruptions may help brain reset

Brief, seconds-long microarousals during deep sleep “ride on the wave” of locus coeruleus activity in mice and correlate with periods of waste clearing and memory consolidation, new research suggests.

By Shaena Montanari
13 January 2025 | 5 min read
Micrograph comparing locus coeruleus of 16p11.2 mutant mice and control mice show less active noradrenergic neurons in mutant mice.

Circuit flaw underlies motor learning issues in autism mouse model

Mice missing a copy of chromosomal region 16p11.2 are slow to learn motor tasks and have dysfunction in a brain circuit associated with stress and movement, according to a new study. Normalizing this circuit's activity corrects the learning deficit.

By Peter Hess
12 April 2021 | 4 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Research image of neurons with variants of the KCNQ2 gene (bottom row) developing more synaptic protein groups (pink and blue) than control neurons (top row).

ADSI, leucovorin, autism registry; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 6 October.

By Jill Adams
7 October 2025 | 2 min read
A drosophila connectome.

One year of FlyWire: How the resource is redefining Drosophila research

We asked nine neuroscientists how they are using FlyWire data in their labs, how the connectome has transformed the field and what new tools they would like to see in the future.

By Francisco J. Rivera Rosario
7 October 2025 | 19 min listen
Research image of axons forming a path into brain metastases of small-cell lung cancer, integrating tumors into the brain.

Neurons fuel lung tumors that have spread to brain

Functional synapses between brain cells and cancer cells are key to the metastatic growth, according to new findings from two independent teams.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
6 October 2025 | 7 min listen

privacy consent banner

Privacy Preference

We use cookies to provide you with the best online experience. By clicking “Accept All,” you help us understand how our site is used and enhance its performance. You can change your choice at any time. To learn more, please visit our Privacy Policy.