Neocortex

Recent articles

Illustration of a series of floating pools of water overflowing into each other.

The missing half of the neurodynamical systems theory

Bifurcations—an underexplored concept in neuroscience—can help explain how small differences in neural circuits give rise to entirely novel functions.

By Xiao-Jing Wang
27 October 2025 | 8 min read
Research image of excitatory neurons in the mouse hippocampus.

Spatial learning circuitry fluctuates in step with estrous cycle in mice

Cyclic shifts in estradiol levels coincide with changes in dendritic spine density and the activity of place cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, a new study shows.

By Sydney Wyatt
25 June 2025 | 5 min read

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.

By Paul Middlebrooks
18 December 2024 | 97 min listen
blood in a medical vial, closeup

Molecular signature may lead to blood test for autism

Researchers have identified a distinctive pattern of gene expression in the white blood cells of young autistic boys.

By Lauren Schenkman
31 October 2019 | 4 min read

Fathering geeks; GWAS weaknesses; Prozac protection and more

Paternal age drives ‘geek index’ scores, GWAS may have a big weakness, serotonin boosts mouse social behaviors, and what is science Tinder?

By Emily Willingham
23 June 2017 | 8 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Sequencing approach bares large variety of brain cell types

Analyzing gene expression in a vision center of the mouse brain has revealed 49 different classes of cells.

By Kate Yandell
24 February 2016 | 2 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Mathematical model of autism bridges brain, behavior

A mathematical model of the brain’s circuits shows how neurons stuck in overdrive could produce symptoms of autism. The model may reveal how autism-linked behaviors arise from underlying biology.

By Rachel Nuwer
13 August 2015 | 6 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Atlas charts gene activity in developing monkey brains

Researchers have for the first time mapped gene expression in the rhesus macaque brain from birth through adulthood. The atlas illuminates the expression patterns of genes likely to be important in autism.

By Kate Yandell
10 June 2015 | 3 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Spotted: Social cells; brain bulge

A cluster of neurons helps monkeys cooperate, and a human gene makes a mouse brain look like a person's.

By Katie Moisse
27 February 2015 | 3 min read
a chromosome unspools to become DNA

Autism gene guides early neuron development

The little-studied autism gene ANKRD11 helps to package DNA in the nucleus and plays a critical role in the early growth and positioning of neurons.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
12 February 2015 | 5 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Stock illustration of strands of DNA with mutations.

Number of autism-linked genes more than triples in new analyses

In addition to a new preprint that expands the list of genes tied to the condition, two related analyses reveal how variants in those genes contribute to genetic susceptibility.

By Holly Barker
8 October 2026 | 6 min read

How does a control theorist explain cognition?

Maxim Raginsky draws on control theory, engineering and philosophy to explore what makes biological brains intelligent, what artificial intelligence is missing, and what principles underlie biological autonomy.

By Paul Middlebrooks
7 October 2026 | 1 min read

Holographic mesoscope reads, writes from different cortical regions simultaneously

The tool could help reveal how information transmission between areas relates to perception, cognition and behavior.

By Simon Makin
7 October 2026 | 0 min watch