Monkeys
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.
2024 Kavli Prize awarded for research on face-selective brain areas
Studies by Nancy Kanwisher, Winrich Freiwald and Doris Tsao revealed how the brains of humans and other primates identify faces and helped establish an understanding of brain specialization.
![Black-and-white headshots of Nancy Kanwisher, Winrich Freiwald and Doris Tsao.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/KavliPrize-1200-rearranged-1024x692.webp)
2024 Kavli Prize awarded for research on face-selective brain areas
Studies by Nancy Kanwisher, Winrich Freiwald and Doris Tsao revealed how the brains of humans and other primates identify faces and helped establish an understanding of brain specialization.
Monkey studies throw wrench into decade-old idea about movement’s effect on visual cortex
Movements that boost activity in the visual cortex of mice have the opposite or no effect in marmosets and macaques, prompting questions about whether mice are a suitable model for the primate visual system.
![Illustration of a yellow brain and a pink brain](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-cortical-states-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x683.webp)
Monkey studies throw wrench into decade-old idea about movement’s effect on visual cortex
Movements that boost activity in the visual cortex of mice have the opposite or no effect in marmosets and macaques, prompting questions about whether mice are a suitable model for the primate visual system.
Remembering Peter Schiller, principled pioneer of vision research
Schiller, best known for his research on how the superior colliculus controls eye movements, died last month at the age of 92.
![A photograph of Peter Schiller](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-peter-schiller-obituary-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x683.webp)
Remembering Peter Schiller, principled pioneer of vision research
Schiller, best known for his research on how the superior colliculus controls eye movements, died last month at the age of 92.
Vast diversity of human brain cell types revealed in trove of new datasets
The collection offers a glimpse into differences in cell composition — across people and brain regions — that may shape neural function.
![Research image of various types of cells.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CellCensus_1200.jpg)
Vast diversity of human brain cell types revealed in trove of new datasets
The collection offers a glimpse into differences in cell composition — across people and brain regions — that may shape neural function.
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.
Spotted around the web: Synthetic embryos; Angelman gene therapy
Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 26 June.
Spotted around the web: Synthetic embryos; Angelman gene therapy
Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 26 June.
RNA therapy restores gene function in monkeys modeling Angelman syndrome
The result raises hopes for an ongoing clinical trial in people — and offers fresh insight into the biology of imprinting and the UBE3A antisense transcript.
![Long-tailed macaque in the canopy of a fruiting strangler fig tree, surrounded by ripening figs. Gunung Palung National Park, Borneo.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/844-rna-therapy-angelman-gene-function-monkeys-autism.jpg)
RNA therapy restores gene function in monkeys modeling Angelman syndrome
The result raises hopes for an ongoing clinical trial in people — and offers fresh insight into the biology of imprinting and the UBE3A antisense transcript.
The link between maternal infection and autism, explained
Having an infection during pregnancy is tied to a small increase in the chances of having an autistic child, but the connection may not be causal.
![Illustration of a pregnant woman seated next to a large diagram of the brain featuring chromosomes, bacteria and other microbes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/1200-maternal-inflamation-1024x683.webp)
The link between maternal infection and autism, explained
Having an infection during pregnancy is tied to a small increase in the chances of having an autistic child, but the connection may not be causal.
Naturally chimeric marmosets present opportunities for autism research
Findings on microglia and other brain cell types bolster the animal's validity as a model system for the condition.
![Two marmosets looking in different directions.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/marmosets-844.jpg)
Naturally chimeric marmosets present opportunities for autism research
Findings on microglia and other brain cell types bolster the animal's validity as a model system for the condition.
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.