Memory
Persistent protein pairing enables memories to last
The complex of two memory proteins, rather than the individual molecules acting independently, underlie month-long memories in mice, a new study suggests.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PKM-Kibra-1200-1024x692.webp)
Persistent protein pairing enables memories to last
The complex of two memory proteins, rather than the individual molecules acting independently, underlie month-long memories in mice, a new study suggests.
How to teach this paper: ‘Behavioral time scale synaptic plasticity underlies CA1 place fields,’ by Bittner and Milstein et al. (2017)
Katie Bittner, Aaron Milstein and their colleagues found that cellular learning can happen over longer timescales than Hebb’s rule predicts. How long should we wait to teach students about this phenomenon?
![Illustration of a canyon landscape with an orange clock face in place of a sun.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1200-how-to-teach-3-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
How to teach this paper: ‘Behavioral time scale synaptic plasticity underlies CA1 place fields,’ by Bittner and Milstein et al. (2017)
Katie Bittner, Aaron Milstein and their colleagues found that cellular learning can happen over longer timescales than Hebb’s rule predicts. How long should we wait to teach students about this phenomenon?
What, if anything, makes mood fundamentally different from memory?
To better understand mood disorders—and to develop more effective treatments—should we target the brain, the mind, the environment or all three?
![Illustration of a sparkly brain.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200-nicole-rust-brain-disorder-mood-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
What, if anything, makes mood fundamentally different from memory?
To better understand mood disorders—and to develop more effective treatments—should we target the brain, the mind, the environment or all three?
‘It must be something I ate’ is hard-wired into the brain
Feeling sick reactivates “novel flavor” neurons, according to a new study in mice, and points to a dedicated circuit for learning to avoid unsafe food.
![Computer-generated illustration of disgusting green food.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1200-transmitter-neuroscience-food-aversion-1024x692.webp)
‘It must be something I ate’ is hard-wired into the brain
Feeling sick reactivates “novel flavor” neurons, according to a new study in mice, and points to a dedicated circuit for learning to avoid unsafe food.
Neurons making memories shush their neighbors
When neurons strengthen their synapses, they “infect” surrounding cells with a virus-like protein to weaken those cells’ excitatory connections, according to a new preprint.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ArcwithBlack-844-1024x681.webp)
Neurons making memories shush their neighbors
When neurons strengthen their synapses, they “infect” surrounding cells with a virus-like protein to weaken those cells’ excitatory connections, according to a new preprint.
Learning or performance? Why the distinction matters for memory science
New methods make it possible to probe the neural substrates of memory with unprecedented precision. Making the most of them demands careful experimental design.
![Photograph of Simone Biles vaulting at the Summer 2020 Olympics.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Simon-Biles-Neuro-performance--1024x692.webp)
Learning or performance? Why the distinction matters for memory science
New methods make it possible to probe the neural substrates of memory with unprecedented precision. Making the most of them demands careful experimental design.
‘SNAP’ dance of astrocytes and neurons falls out of step with age, disease
The findings add to growing evidence that astrocytes are star players in cognition.
![A research image showing astrocytes and neurons](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Genes-neuroscience-1200-1024x692.webp)
‘SNAP’ dance of astrocytes and neurons falls out of step with age, disease
The findings add to growing evidence that astrocytes are star players in cognition.
How to teach this paper: ‘Creating a false memory in the hippocampus,’ by Ramirez and Liu et al. (2013)
We’ve known how to implant memories in mouse minds for a decade. Can we implant these ideas in our students?
![An illustration of mice observing a lesson on a tiny chalkboard](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-how-to-teach-this-paper-2-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
How to teach this paper: ‘Creating a false memory in the hippocampus,’ by Ramirez and Liu et al. (2013)
We’ve known how to implant memories in mouse minds for a decade. Can we implant these ideas in our students?
Being uncomfortable and PKMzeta with André Fenton
The director of the Center for Neural Science shares a ghost story and talks about his collaboration with Todd Sacktor.
![Illustrated portrait of André Fenton.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-andre-fenton-synaptic-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Being uncomfortable and PKMzeta with André Fenton
The director of the Center for Neural Science shares a ghost story and talks about his collaboration with Todd Sacktor.
Sheena Josselyn and memories lost, found and created
Her hunt for the engram opened a new avenue in memory research.
![Portrait of scientist Sheena Josselyn behind a window, with a reflection over her face.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SheenaJosselynLedehorizontal200-1024x692.webp)
Sheena Josselyn and memories lost, found and created
Her hunt for the engram opened a new avenue in memory research.
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.