Perspectives
Recent articles
Expert opinions on trends and controversies in neuroscience
Dopamine and the need for alternative theories
Some experimental findings are inconsistent with the dominant model of reward prediction error, highlighting the need for alternative testable and falsifiable models for dopamine function.
Dopamine and the need for alternative theories
Some experimental findings are inconsistent with the dominant model of reward prediction error, highlighting the need for alternative testable and falsifiable models for dopamine function.
Does a new theory of dopamine replace the classic model?
My answer would be no, but the model poses challenges that will sharpen our understanding of dopamine and learning.
Does a new theory of dopamine replace the classic model?
My answer would be no, but the model poses challenges that will sharpen our understanding of dopamine and learning.
Should I work with these people? A guide to collaboration
Kevin Bender offers advice for early-career neuroscientists on how to choose the right collaborations and avoid the bad ones.
Should I work with these people? A guide to collaboration
Kevin Bender offers advice for early-career neuroscientists on how to choose the right collaborations and avoid the bad ones.
A README for open neuroscience
Making data (and code) useful for yourself automatically makes it useful for others.
A README for open neuroscience
Making data (and code) useful for yourself automatically makes it useful for others.
From bench to bot: Does AI really make you a more efficient writer?
A more significant benefit may lie in improving quality, refining tone and reducing cognitive burden. But beware of bias.
From bench to bot: Does AI really make you a more efficient writer?
A more significant benefit may lie in improving quality, refining tone and reducing cognitive burden. But beware of bias.
From reductionism to dynamical systems: How two books influenced my thinking across 30 years of neuroscience
Nicole Rust describes her career-changing literary journey of joy, free will and the evolution of a field.
From reductionism to dynamical systems: How two books influenced my thinking across 30 years of neuroscience
Nicole Rust describes her career-changing literary journey of joy, free will and the evolution of a field.
Neuroscience needs a career path for software engineers
Few institutions have mechanisms for the type of long-term positions that would best benefit the science.
Neuroscience needs a career path for software engineers
Few institutions have mechanisms for the type of long-term positions that would best benefit the science.
A genetics-first clinic for catching developmental conditions early: Q&A with Jacob Vorstman
A new clinic is assessing children who have a genetic predisposition for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions—sometimes before traits appear.
A genetics-first clinic for catching developmental conditions early: Q&A with Jacob Vorstman
A new clinic is assessing children who have a genetic predisposition for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions—sometimes before traits appear.
Nonsense correlations and how to avoid them
This statistical error is common in systems neuroscience. Fortunately, straightforward methods can help you prevent it.
Nonsense correlations and how to avoid them
This statistical error is common in systems neuroscience. Fortunately, straightforward methods can help you prevent it.
This paper changed my life: ‘Selective erasure of a fear memory’ from the Josselyn Lab
This groundbreaking 2009 paper set a foundation for the types of memories researchers could manipulate and inspired my own approach to science.
This paper changed my life: ‘Selective erasure of a fear memory’ from the Josselyn Lab
This groundbreaking 2009 paper set a foundation for the types of memories researchers could manipulate and inspired my own approach to science.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Reconstructing dopamine’s link to reward
The field is grappling with whether to modify the long-standing theory of reward prediction error—or abandon it entirely.
Reconstructing dopamine’s link to reward
The field is grappling with whether to modify the long-standing theory of reward prediction error—or abandon it entirely.
Parasite-based tool delivers MECP2 and other proteins to neurons
A method that uses a common brain parasite could help replenish the proteins deficient in Rett syndrome and other conditions.
Parasite-based tool delivers MECP2 and other proteins to neurons
A method that uses a common brain parasite could help replenish the proteins deficient in Rett syndrome and other conditions.
Kim Stachenfeld on the dance between neuroscience and artificial intelligence
As a researcher at both Google DeepMind and Columbia University, Stachenfeld offers cross-disciplinary insight into how to understand the brain.
Kim Stachenfeld on the dance between neuroscience and artificial intelligence
As a researcher at both Google DeepMind and Columbia University, Stachenfeld offers cross-disciplinary insight into how to understand the brain.