Behavioral neuroscience
Recent articles
Dopamine ‘gas pedal’ and serotonin ‘brake’ team up to accelerate learning
Mice learn fastest and most reliably when they experience an increase in dopamine paired with an inhibition of serotonin in their nucleus accumbens, a new study shows, helping to resolve long-standing questions about the neuromodulators’ relationship.

Dopamine ‘gas pedal’ and serotonin ‘brake’ team up to accelerate learning
Mice learn fastest and most reliably when they experience an increase in dopamine paired with an inhibition of serotonin in their nucleus accumbens, a new study shows, helping to resolve long-standing questions about the neuromodulators’ relationship.
David Robbe challenges conventional notions of time and memory
Inspired by his own behavioral neuroscience research and the philosophy of Henri Bergson, Robbe makes the case that we don't have clocks in our brains but instead perceive time by way of our interactions with the world.
David Robbe challenges conventional notions of time and memory
Inspired by his own behavioral neuroscience research and the philosophy of Henri Bergson, Robbe makes the case that we don't have clocks in our brains but instead perceive time by way of our interactions with the world.
Brain gene expression syncs between bonded prairie voles
The overlapping activity in the animals’ nucleus accumbens may underpin pair bonding, a new preprint suggests.

Brain gene expression syncs between bonded prairie voles
The overlapping activity in the animals’ nucleus accumbens may underpin pair bonding, a new preprint suggests.
Say what? The Transmitter’s top quotes of 2024
“We’ve cured mouse-heimer’s thousands of times...”—find out who said this to a Transmitter reporter, and read our other favorite quotes from the past year.

Say what? The Transmitter’s top quotes of 2024
“We’ve cured mouse-heimer’s thousands of times...”—find out who said this to a Transmitter reporter, and read our other favorite quotes from the past year.
The Transmitter’s favorite features of 2024
Our chosen stories include tales about research misconduct in the lab, a neuroscientist working at the end of the world, and the passing of neuroanatomy’s “great-grandfather,” Harvey Karten.

The Transmitter’s favorite features of 2024
Our chosen stories include tales about research misconduct in the lab, a neuroscientist working at the end of the world, and the passing of neuroanatomy’s “great-grandfather,” Harvey Karten.
The non-model organism “renaissance” has arrived
Meet 10 neuroscientists bringing model diversity back with the funky animals they study.

The non-model organism “renaissance” has arrived
Meet 10 neuroscientists bringing model diversity back with the funky animals they study.
Synaptic changes shape winning mice into bullies
When a mouse repeatedly defeats its opponents, brain circuits that underlie aggressive behaviors develop more stable connections, helping to ensure continual triumph, a new study shows.

Synaptic changes shape winning mice into bullies
When a mouse repeatedly defeats its opponents, brain circuits that underlie aggressive behaviors develop more stable connections, helping to ensure continual triumph, a new study shows.
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.
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.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Who funds your basic neuroscience research? Help The Transmitter compile a list of funding sources
We want to hear from you about the sources of funding for your research.
Who funds your basic neuroscience research? Help The Transmitter compile a list of funding sources
We want to hear from you about the sources of funding for your research.
The future of neuroscience research at U.S. minority-serving institutions is in danger
Cuts to federally funded programs present an existential crisis for the University of Puerto Rico’s rich neuroscience community and for research at minority-serving institutions everywhere.

The future of neuroscience research at U.S. minority-serving institutions is in danger
Cuts to federally funded programs present an existential crisis for the University of Puerto Rico’s rich neuroscience community and for research at minority-serving institutions everywhere.
Unexpected astrocyte gene flips image of brain’s ‘stalwart sentinels’
The genetic marker upends the accepted orientation of non-star-like astrocytes in the glia limitans superficialis.

Unexpected astrocyte gene flips image of brain’s ‘stalwart sentinels’
The genetic marker upends the accepted orientation of non-star-like astrocytes in the glia limitans superficialis.