Modeling
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?
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.
Dancing in the dark: Honeybees use antennae to decode nestmates’ waggles
The insects align their antennae with their body’s angle to a dancer—information that vector-processing circuitry in the brain deciphers into a flight path, a new study suggests.
Dancing in the dark: Honeybees use antennae to decode nestmates’ waggles
The insects align their antennae with their body’s angle to a dancer—information that vector-processing circuitry in the brain deciphers into a flight path, a new study suggests.
In hot water: Climate change tests limits of neuronal resilience in crabs
Warming seas disrupt the function of neurons — and could seed permanent changes in marine species, according to studies of a circuit that controls digestion in crustaceans.
![A photograph of a crab](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-crabs-heat-warming-water-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
In hot water: Climate change tests limits of neuronal resilience in crabs
Warming seas disrupt the function of neurons — and could seed permanent changes in marine species, according to studies of a circuit that controls digestion in crustaceans.
What ‘drifting representations’ reveal about the brain
How neuronal activity patterns associated with a behavior can change, even when the behavior does not — something once seen as an experimental artifact — could offer new insights about neural function.
![An abstract illustration of a figure from the shoulders up with multi-colored boxes on its face](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1200-representational-drift-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
What ‘drifting representations’ reveal about the brain
How neuronal activity patterns associated with a behavior can change, even when the behavior does not — something once seen as an experimental artifact — could offer new insights about neural function.
AI model helps decode brain activity underlying conversation
A text-predicting chatbot parses text from conversations in a way that parallels brain-activity patterns associated with speech production and comprehension.
![Research image of brain activity during conversation.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/844-AI-model-brain-activity-conversation-autism.png.png)
AI model helps decode brain activity underlying conversation
A text-predicting chatbot parses text from conversations in a way that parallels brain-activity patterns associated with speech production and comprehension.
Asleep in the Mouse House with Graham Diering
Memories from Diering’s life trace the rising star’s scientific path from raising lizards as a child and later exploring home brewing to heading a lab that investigates memory, sleep disturbances and early development in animals with autism-linked mutations.
![Graham Diering smiles in a portrait in his yard.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Autism-Graham-Diering-844.jpg)
Asleep in the Mouse House with Graham Diering
Memories from Diering’s life trace the rising star’s scientific path from raising lizards as a child and later exploring home brewing to heading a lab that investigates memory, sleep disturbances and early development in animals with autism-linked mutations.
How Helen Willsey broke new ground, frogs in hand
A young researcher faces down the skeptics.
![Helen Willsey in her lab at the University of California, San Francisco.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Helen-Willsey-lab-frogs-autism-844.jpg)
How Helen Willsey broke new ground, frogs in hand
A young researcher faces down the skeptics.
Why monkey researchers are seeking the spotlight: Q&A with Cory Miller
For decades, many researchers who study nonhuman primates kept quiet about their work, concerned about the extreme actions taken by some animal welfare activists. But a growing number are speaking more openly about the importance of their work in an attempt to take back the narrative.
![Researcher stands in spotlight that is the shape of a monkey's head.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Simian-collective-monkey-autism-844-ps.jpg)
Why monkey researchers are seeking the spotlight: Q&A with Cory Miller
For decades, many researchers who study nonhuman primates kept quiet about their work, concerned about the extreme actions taken by some animal welfare activists. But a growing number are speaking more openly about the importance of their work in an attempt to take back the narrative.
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.