Sensory perception
Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.
![A research image of X chromosomes with Fragile X syndrome](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_FragileX-1024x683.webp)
Understanding fragile X syndrome
Just in time for Fragile X Awareness Month, The Transmitter rounds up notable coverage.
Rat neurons thrive in a mouse brain world, testing ‘nature versus nurture’
Neurons from the two rodents can wire up together to form functional circuits—all while maintaining some species-specific properties, two new studies show.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fig6A-1200-1024x692.webp)
Rat neurons thrive in a mouse brain world, testing ‘nature versus nurture’
Neurons from the two rodents can wire up together to form functional circuits—all while maintaining some species-specific properties, two new studies show.
Visual perception improves in the blink of an eye
Blinking—long considered a problem the brain must overcome to produce seamless vision—may actually be more of a feature than a bug, new research suggests.
![A person sits in an experimental rig that examines eye movements.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eye-Blinks-setup-1200-landscape-1024x683.webp)
Visual perception improves in the blink of an eye
Blinking—long considered a problem the brain must overcome to produce seamless vision—may actually be more of a feature than a bug, new research suggests.
Autism-linked genes shape touch processing through different mechanisms, at different times
Whereas some mice display hypersensitivity to touch only as adults, others respond that way from birth.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1200-spinal-touch-1024x683.webp)
Autism-linked genes shape touch processing through different mechanisms, at different times
Whereas some mice display hypersensitivity to touch only as adults, others respond that way from birth.
The creative brain—an edited excerpt from ‘Essays on Art and Science’
In his new book, neuroscientist Eric Kandel explores how sensory perception and higher-order cognitive processes influence our experience of art.
![Portrait of the interior designer Madeleine Castaing by the French painter Chaïm Soutine.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/kandel-art-science-neuroscience-transmitter-1200-landscape-1024x683.webp)
The creative brain—an edited excerpt from ‘Essays on Art and Science’
In his new book, neuroscientist Eric Kandel explores how sensory perception and higher-order cognitive processes influence our experience of art.
Tiny eardrum sounds may help sync visual, auditory perception
Studies of the oscillations reveal that horizontal and vertical eye movements generate distinct sounds.
Tiny eardrum sounds may help sync visual, auditory perception
Studies of the oscillations reveal that horizontal and vertical eye movements generate distinct sounds.
Noisy brain may underlie some of autism’s sensory features
Random fluctuations in neuronal activity are more variable in a fragile X mouse model than in wildtype mice.
![Two hands hold a mouse.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-spectrum-autism-neuroscience-transmitter-endogenous-noise-mice-neurons-1024x683.webp)
Noisy brain may underlie some of autism’s sensory features
Random fluctuations in neuronal activity are more variable in a fragile X mouse model than in wildtype mice.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
Autism research hits the road
Some scientists are thinking creatively about how to collect data in flexible environments and meet communities where they’re at.
Sensing touch, the immigrant life and Ardem Patapoutian
The Nobel Prize winner talks about PIEZO 1 and 2, proprioception and the viral photo of him and his son from the 2021 Nobel Prize announcement.
![Illustrated portrait of Ardem Patapoutian.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1200-ardem-patapoutian-synaptic-podcast-copy.webp)
Sensing touch, the immigrant life and Ardem Patapoutian
The Nobel Prize winner talks about PIEZO 1 and 2, proprioception and the viral photo of him and his son from the 2021 Nobel Prize announcement.
Teasing apart insistence on sameness with Mirko Uljarević
The hallmark autism trait has multiple facets, Uljarević and his colleagues have found.
![A person stands in front of a neatly organized dresser drawer.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/1200-autism-sameness-1024x692.webp)
Teasing apart insistence on sameness with Mirko Uljarević
The hallmark autism trait has multiple facets, Uljarević and his colleagues have found.
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.