Neural circuits
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.
New ‘decoder’ tool translates functional neuroimaging terms across labs
The compendium of brain-parcellation atlases makes it possible to compare large-scale network data, which often involves different and overlapping network names.
![Research image of a variety of brain atlases.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Fig2B-1200-1024x692.webp)
New ‘decoder’ tool translates functional neuroimaging terms across labs
The compendium of brain-parcellation atlases makes it possible to compare large-scale network data, which often involves different and overlapping network names.
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.
Mind control in zombie flies: Q&A with Carolyn Elya
A parasitic fungus compels its insect host to behave in strange ways by hijacking secretory neurons and circadian pathways.
![Close-up image of a dead fly with visible growths protruding from its abdomen due to Entomophthora fungus infection.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1200-zombie-fly-qa-1024x683.webp)
Mind control in zombie flies: Q&A with Carolyn Elya
A parasitic fungus compels its insect host to behave in strange ways by hijacking secretory neurons and circadian pathways.
Eve Marder, neural circuits and being heard
The National Medal of Science winner explains why she built her career around the crustacean and what it was like attending high school in a Hudson River town.
![Illustrated portrait of Eve Marder](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/EverMarder-1200-1024x692.png)
Eve Marder, neural circuits and being heard
The National Medal of Science winner explains why she built her career around the crustacean and what it was like attending high school in a Hudson River town.
New genetic tools usher amphibian neuroscience research into modern age
Harmless viruses that ferry genes into the brain cells of rodents and monkeys also work in frogs, newts and axolotls, according to two new preprints.
![A flourescent blue and green brain picture](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1200-transmitter-neuroscience-amphibians-1024x683.webp)
New genetic tools usher amphibian neuroscience research into modern age
Harmless viruses that ferry genes into the brain cells of rodents and monkeys also work in frogs, newts and axolotls, according to two new preprints.
Mutation in top autism-linked gene may alter eye reflex
The discovery could help clinicians diagnose children who carry mutations in the gene, called SCN2A, and gauge their responses to potential therapies.
![A slice of a cerebellum.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-lede-cerebellar-plasticity-autism-1024x692.png)
Mutation in top autism-linked gene may alter eye reflex
The discovery could help clinicians diagnose children who carry mutations in the gene, called SCN2A, and gauge their responses to potential therapies.
What goes up must come down: New marker flags decreased neural activity
Phosphorylation of the metabolic enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase inversely correlates with neural activity, offering scientists a tool to study inhibition for the first time.
![A research image of a mouse brain under anesthesia](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-marker-of-inhibiton-landscape-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x683.webp)
What goes up must come down: New marker flags decreased neural activity
Phosphorylation of the metabolic enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase inversely correlates with neural activity, offering scientists a tool to study inhibition for the first time.
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?
Welcome to the second single-cell revolution: New high-throughput technologies are transforming how we define neurons
This ongoing essay series will explore questions these technologies raise, as well as opportunities they provide for understanding development, evolution and disease.
![A diagram of many types of cells](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-sanes-lede-define-cell-types-1024x683.webp)
Welcome to the second single-cell revolution: New high-throughput technologies are transforming how we define neurons
This ongoing essay series will explore questions these technologies raise, as well as opportunities they provide for understanding development, evolution and disease.
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.
CNTNAP2 variants; trait trajectories; sensory reactivity
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 22 July.
![Research image showing connectivity in brain regions in female mice with and without a UBE3A variant.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/autism-sexbias-1200-1024x692.webp)
CNTNAP2 variants; trait trajectories; sensory reactivity
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 22 July.