Postmortem brains
Recent articles
Cell ‘fingerprints’ identify distinct cortical networks
These networks align with different assemblages of cells, a finding that could reveal how cellular diversity influences brain function, according to a new study.

Cell ‘fingerprints’ identify distinct cortical networks
These networks align with different assemblages of cells, a finding that could reveal how cellular diversity influences brain function, according to a new study.
‘Spoonful of plastics in your brain’ paper has duplicated images
The duplications likely do not alter the conclusions, but the paper contains other methodological issues, two independent microplastics researchers say.

‘Spoonful of plastics in your brain’ paper has duplicated images
The duplications likely do not alter the conclusions, but the paper contains other methodological issues, two independent microplastics researchers say.
Early trajectory of Alzheimer’s tracked in single-cell brain atlases
Inflammation in glia and the loss of certain inhibitory cells may kick off a disease cascade decades before diagnosis.

Early trajectory of Alzheimer’s tracked in single-cell brain atlases
Inflammation in glia and the loss of certain inhibitory cells may kick off a disease cascade decades before diagnosis.
Giant analysis reveals how autism-linked genes affect brain cell types
Genes that predispose people to autism account for a large portion of the neuronal and glial cell changes seen in those with the condition.

Giant analysis reveals how autism-linked genes affect brain cell types
Genes that predispose people to autism account for a large portion of the neuronal and glial cell changes seen in those with the condition.
‘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.

‘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.
Cortical interneurons derive differently in human brains
Excitatory neurons and some inhibitory neurons in the adult human cortex share parents, challenging the longstanding idea that the two cell types have different origins.

Cortical interneurons derive differently in human brains
Excitatory neurons and some inhibitory neurons in the adult human cortex share parents, challenging the longstanding idea that the two cell types have different origins.
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.

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.
Head size parts autism into two major subtypes
An imbalance in the number of excitatory neurons in early brain development may account for the difference.

Head size parts autism into two major subtypes
An imbalance in the number of excitatory neurons in early brain development may account for the difference.
Preprint questions validity of postmortem brain studies
But the alternatives, including living-brain biopsies, raise logistical and ethical questions, experts say.

Preprint questions validity of postmortem brain studies
But the alternatives, including living-brain biopsies, raise logistical and ethical questions, experts say.
Atlas of gene activity in prenatal brain holds clues to autism
Genes exert their strongest influence on the brain in the first half of gestation — a key window for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

Atlas of gene activity in prenatal brain holds clues to autism
Genes exert their strongest influence on the brain in the first half of gestation — a key window for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Molecular changes after MECP2 loss may drive Rett syndrome traits
Knocking out the gene in adult mice triggered up- and down-regulated expression of myriad genes weeks before there were changes in neuronal function.

Molecular changes after MECP2 loss may drive Rett syndrome traits
Knocking out the gene in adult mice triggered up- and down-regulated expression of myriad genes weeks before there were changes in neuronal function.
Learning scientific rigor: Q&A with Konrad Kording and Hao Ye
The developers of a new open-access curriculum to teach rigor discuss confirmation bias and other common errors in scientific thinking, plus ways to avoid these missteps.

Learning scientific rigor: Q&A with Konrad Kording and Hao Ye
The developers of a new open-access curriculum to teach rigor discuss confirmation bias and other common errors in scientific thinking, plus ways to avoid these missteps.
This paper changed my life: Stephanie Palmer on the ties between human speech and birdsong—and her ‘informal life coach’
A groundbreaking review by Allison Doupe, who was Palmer’s mentor, and Patricia Kuhl helped shape the field’s understanding of the neural and evolutionary dynamics of speech.

This paper changed my life: Stephanie Palmer on the ties between human speech and birdsong—and her ‘informal life coach’
A groundbreaking review by Allison Doupe, who was Palmer’s mentor, and Patricia Kuhl helped shape the field’s understanding of the neural and evolutionary dynamics of speech.