Methods

Recent articles

Research image of olfactory bulb activity.

Smell studies often use unnaturally high odor concentrations, analysis reveals

It’s time to fashion olfactory neuroscience stimuli based on odor concentrations in the wild, say study investigators Elizabeth Hong and Matt Wachowiak.

By Calli McMurray
16 April 2025 | 7 min read
Research image comparing methods of identifying genes and biological processes linked to Alzheimer's disease.

New tool may help untangle downstream effects of autism-linked genes

The statistical approach helps scientists better control for both measured and unmeasured confounders in gene-expression data, revealing causal relationships between autism-linked genetic variants and downstream cellular effects, such as impaired neuron development.

By Giorgia Guglielmi
27 March 2025 | 5 min read
Data streams into a transparent box.

Accepting “the bitter lesson” and embracing the brain’s complexity

To gain insight into complex neural data, we must move toward a data-driven regime, training large models on vast amounts of information. We asked nine experts on computational neuroscience and neural data analysis to weigh in.

By Eva Dyer, Blake Richards
26 March 2025 | 8 min read
Research image of a fiber optic implant in a mouse brain.

Bespoke photometry system captures variety of dopamine signals in mice

The tool tracks the excitation of an engineered protein that senses dopamine’s absolute levels, including fast and slow fluctuations in real time, and offers new insights into how the signals change across the brain.

By Sydney Wyatt
21 March 2025 | 5 min read
Side view of a Tardigrade.

How tiny tardigrades could help tackle systems neuroscience questions

The eight-legged, millimeter-long animals reveal how small nervous systems produce complex behaviors and perceptual abilities, a preprint suggests.

By Dori Grijseels
11 March 2025 | 6 min read
A geometric figure looks out on an abstract horizon.

The limits of neuroscience

Truly understanding the brain requires a set of conditions we’re unlikely to meet: that knowledge about the brain is finite, and that we have both access to that knowledge and the means to understand it.

By Mark Humphries
10 March 2025 | 8 min read
Two scientists walk along interlocking rings.

Breaking the barrier between theorists and experimentalists

Many neuroscience students are steeped in an experiment-first style of thinking that leads to “random walk science.” Let’s not forget how theory can guide experiments toward deeper insights.

By Samuel Gershman
24 February 2025 | 6 min read
Abstract illustration of overlapping lines.

Claims of necessity and sufficiency are not well suited for the study of complex systems

The earliest studies on necessary and sufficient neural populations were performed on simple invertebrate circuits. Does this logic still serve us as we tackle more sophisticated outputs?

By Grace Lindsay
7 February 2025 | 6 min read

Plaque levels differ in popular Alzheimer’s mouse model depending on which parent’s variants are passed down

5XFAD model mice that inherit two disease-related genes from their fathers have double the plaques seen in those with maternal inheritance, a new study shows.

By Shaena Montanari
4 February 2025 | 0 min watch
Different colored file folders.

Protocol-sharing site aims to ease administrative burden of animal research

The library of regulatory-compliant animal procedures offers experimental standards and specific language that researchers can borrow for their own legal paperwork.

By Calli McMurray
29 January 2025 | 4 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Research image of resting-state functional activity in a human brain.

Developmental delay patterns differ with diagnosis; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 14 April.

By Jill Adams
15 April 2025 | 2 min read
Illustration of a treeline in front of a human brain.

‘Natural Neuroscience: Toward a Systems Neuroscience of Natural Behaviors,’ an excerpt

In his new book, published today, Nachum Ulanovsky calls on the field to embrace naturalistic conditions and move away from overcontrolled experiments.

By Nachum Ulanovsky
15 April 2025 | 9 min read
Close-up of high-resolution fMRI images.

Functional MRI can do more than you think

Recent technological advances provide a range of new and different information about brain physiology. But taking full advantage of these gains depends on collaboration between engineers and neuroscientists.

By Laura Lewis
14 April 2025 | 6 min read