Excitability

Recent articles

Research image of mouse brain slices stained in red and blue.

Ramping up cortical activity in early life sparks autism-like behaviors in mice

The findings add fuel to the long-running debate over how an imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory signaling contributes to the autism.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
30 October 2025 | 6 min read
Research image of different interneuron subtypes responding to the absence of pyramidal neurons in the mouse cortex.

As circuits wire up, interneurons take cues from surrounding cells

The inhibitory cells’ development, diversity and abundance in the cortex is directed in part by pyramidal cells, a new preprint suggests.

By Olivia Gieger
14 August 2024 | 5 min read
A research image of neuronal dendrites in mice.

Top autism-linked genes join forces to shape synaptic plasticity

The protein products of ANK2 and SCN2A interact to regulate dendritic excitability.

By Holly Barker
29 January 2024 | 4 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Research image of whole-brain 3D visualizations of pixels colored by their corresponding lipizone.

Lipids enter brain mapping limelight

Two new studies, including the first whole-brain lipid atlas in mice, uncover unforeseen complexity and influence during pregnancy and aging.

By Lauren Schenkman
27 October 2026 | 6 min read
Protein asparagine synthetase in hippocampus neurons.

Behavioral phenomics in zebrafish; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 26 October.

By Jill Adams
27 October 2026 | 2 min read
Illustration of botanical tree and computer tree growing apart.

Neuroscience gave AI its start. What happens now?

David Sussillo maps the two fields' divergent paths, and where they might still meet.

By Emily Singer
27 October 2026 | 10 min read