Learning
Recent articles
Vijay Namboodiri and Ali Mohebi on the evolving story of dopamine’s role in cognitive function
Researchers discuss the classic stories of dopamine’s role in learning, ongoing work linking it to a wide variety of cognitive functions, and recent research suggesting that dopamine may help us "look back" to discover the causes of events in the world.
Vijay Namboodiri and Ali Mohebi on the evolving story of dopamine’s role in cognitive function
Researchers discuss the classic stories of dopamine’s role in learning, ongoing work linking it to a wide variety of cognitive functions, and recent research suggesting that dopamine may help us "look back" to discover the causes of events in the world.
Reconstructing dopamine’s link to reward
The field is grappling with whether to modify the long-standing theory of reward prediction error—or abandon it entirely.
Reconstructing dopamine’s link to reward
The field is grappling with whether to modify the long-standing theory of reward prediction error—or abandon it entirely.
Neural-network analysis posits how brains build skills
Discrete computational subunits may offer mix-and-match motifs for cognition.
Neural-network analysis posits how brains build skills
Discrete computational subunits may offer mix-and-match motifs for cognition.
Can an emerging field called ‘neural systems understanding’ explain the brain?
This mashup of neuroscience, artificial intelligence and even linguistics and philosophy of mind aims to crack the deep question of what "understanding" is, however un-brain-like its models may be.
Can an emerging field called ‘neural systems understanding’ explain the brain?
This mashup of neuroscience, artificial intelligence and even linguistics and philosophy of mind aims to crack the deep question of what "understanding" is, however un-brain-like its models may be.
Some minimally verbal autistic people show signs of written-language familiarity, study suggests
But researchers not involved in the work worry the findings could be used to support discredited facilitated-communication techniques.
Some minimally verbal autistic people show signs of written-language familiarity, study suggests
But researchers not involved in the work worry the findings could be used to support discredited facilitated-communication techniques.
Neurotransmitter switch-up helps fan extreme stress into full-blown fear
The flip occurs when certain neurons in the dorsal raphe start to express the chemical GABA instead of glutamate, a new study shows.
Neurotransmitter switch-up helps fan extreme stress into full-blown fear
The flip occurs when certain neurons in the dorsal raphe start to express the chemical GABA instead of glutamate, a new study shows.
‘It must be something I ate’ is hard-wired into the brain
Feeling sick reactivates “novel flavor” neurons, according to a new study in mice, and points to a dedicated circuit for learning to avoid unsafe food.
‘It must be something I ate’ is hard-wired into the brain
Feeling sick reactivates “novel flavor” neurons, according to a new study in mice, and points to a dedicated circuit for learning to avoid unsafe food.
Learning or performance? Why the distinction matters for memory science
New methods make it possible to probe the neural substrates of memory with unprecedented precision. Making the most of them demands careful experimental design.
Learning or performance? Why the distinction matters for memory science
New methods make it possible to probe the neural substrates of memory with unprecedented precision. Making the most of them demands careful experimental design.
Newly found hypothalamus circuits shape bullying behaviors in mice
Activity in the tiny brain region helps submissive rodents learn to avoid aggressors, and aggressive mice to curb their attacks, according to two recent studies.
Newly found hypothalamus circuits shape bullying behaviors in mice
Activity in the tiny brain region helps submissive rodents learn to avoid aggressors, and aggressive mice to curb their attacks, according to two recent studies.
Cognition in brainless organisms is redefining what it means to learn
A slew of simple creatures demonstrate forms of learning, making the case for cognitive science to expand beyond the boundaries of the human mind.
Cognition in brainless organisms is redefining what it means to learn
A slew of simple creatures demonstrate forms of learning, making the case for cognitive science to expand beyond the boundaries of the human mind.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Rajesh Rao reflects on predictive brains, neural interfaces and the future of human intelligence
Twenty-five years ago, Rajesh Rao proposed a seminal theory of how brains could implement predictive coding for perception. His modern version zeroes in on actions.
Rajesh Rao reflects on predictive brains, neural interfaces and the future of human intelligence
Twenty-five years ago, Rajesh Rao proposed a seminal theory of how brains could implement predictive coding for perception. His modern version zeroes in on actions.
In memoriam: Yves Frégnac, influential and visionary French neuroscientist
Frégnac, who died on 18 October at the age of 73, built his career by meeting neuroscience’s complexity straight on.
In memoriam: Yves Frégnac, influential and visionary French neuroscientist
Frégnac, who died on 18 October at the age of 73, built his career by meeting neuroscience’s complexity straight on.
Explaining ‘the largest unexplained number in brain science’: Q&A with Markus Meister and Jieyu Zheng
The human brain takes in sensory information roughly 100 million times faster than it can respond. Neuroscientists need to explore this perceptual paradox to better understand the limits of the brain, Meister and Zheng say.
Explaining ‘the largest unexplained number in brain science’: Q&A with Markus Meister and Jieyu Zheng
The human brain takes in sensory information roughly 100 million times faster than it can respond. Neuroscientists need to explore this perceptual paradox to better understand the limits of the brain, Meister and Zheng say.