Ion channels
Recent articles
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.

Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
Crafting tales of science with Theanne Griffith
A lifelong passion for writing helped the neuroscientist land a book deal and publish 15 chapter books for early readers, covering topics ranging from what the cerebellum does to how a cake bakes.

Crafting tales of science with Theanne Griffith
A lifelong passion for writing helped the neuroscientist land a book deal and publish 15 chapter books for early readers, covering topics ranging from what the cerebellum does to how a cake bakes.
CRISPR gives autism-linked genes a boost, rescues functioning
A modified form of the gene-editing tool increases the expression of CHD8 and SCN2A, showing potential for autism therapies.

CRISPR gives autism-linked genes a boost, rescues functioning
A modified form of the gene-editing tool increases the expression of CHD8 and SCN2A, showing potential for autism therapies.
Microglial overreaction to atypical neurons may drive autism
In mice and organoids lacking a neuronal protein, microglia prune synapses to excess.

Microglial overreaction to atypical neurons may drive autism
In mice and organoids lacking a neuronal protein, microglia prune synapses to excess.
The legacy of William Catterall, ‘father of ion channels’
Catterall, who characterized the structure, function and regulation of sodium and calcium channels crucial for neuronal excitability, died last month at the age of 77.

The legacy of William Catterall, ‘father of ion channels’
Catterall, who characterized the structure, function and regulation of sodium and calcium channels crucial for neuronal excitability, died last month at the age of 77.
Top autism-linked genes join forces to shape synaptic plasticity
The protein products of ANK2 and SCN2A interact to regulate dendritic excitability.

Top autism-linked genes join forces to shape synaptic plasticity
The protein products of ANK2 and SCN2A interact to regulate dendritic excitability.
Unconventional optogenetics technique spurs long-lasting changes in neuronal activity
Conventional optogenetic manipulations to excite or inhibit neurons stop when the light switches off. A new approach makes the changes last.

Unconventional optogenetics technique spurs long-lasting changes in neuronal activity
Conventional optogenetic manipulations to excite or inhibit neurons stop when the light switches off. A new approach makes the changes last.
Building a better drug
Iama Therapeutics is hoping a new class of molecule will prove successful against an old target in autism.

Building a better drug
Iama Therapeutics is hoping a new class of molecule will prove successful against an old target in autism.
Mini biopsies point to source of lethal seizures in model mice
Interneurons that fail to propagate electrical signals in mice that model Dravet syndrome may cause the animals, like people with the autism-linked condition, to die suddenly.

Mini biopsies point to source of lethal seizures in model mice
Interneurons that fail to propagate electrical signals in mice that model Dravet syndrome may cause the animals, like people with the autism-linked condition, to die suddenly.
Model mice hint at sodium channel gene’s contribution to autism
Altered electrical activity in the neurons of mice with a mutated copy of SCN2A may explain the animals’ autism-like social behaviors.

Model mice hint at sodium channel gene’s contribution to autism
Altered electrical activity in the neurons of mice with a mutated copy of SCN2A may explain the animals’ autism-like social behaviors.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Newly awarded NIH grants for neuroscience lag 77 percent behind previous nine-year average
Since President Donald Trump took office on 20 January, the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke and the National Institute of Mental Health have awarded one quarter as many new grants as during the same two-month period, on average, since 2016.

Newly awarded NIH grants for neuroscience lag 77 percent behind previous nine-year average
Since President Donald Trump took office on 20 January, the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke and the National Institute of Mental Health have awarded one quarter as many new grants as during the same two-month period, on average, since 2016.
Releasing the Hydra with Rafael Yuste
Losing HHMI Investigator status caused Yuste to study neural networks in a new way.

Releasing the Hydra with Rafael Yuste
Losing HHMI Investigator status caused Yuste to study neural networks in a new way.
Coding error caused layoffs at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke this week, source says
Thirty employees—including 11 lab heads—at the institute should “immediately return to work,” according to an email the institute’s Office of Human Resources sent to top administration at the institute Wednesday evening.

Coding error caused layoffs at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke this week, source says
Thirty employees—including 11 lab heads—at the institute should “immediately return to work,” according to an email the institute’s Office of Human Resources sent to top administration at the institute Wednesday evening.