Sensory systems
Recent articles
Neurons tune electron transport chain to survive onslaught of noxious stimuli
Nociceptors tamp down the production of reactive oxygen species in response to heat, chemical irritants or toxins.
Neurons tune electron transport chain to survive onslaught of noxious stimuli
Nociceptors tamp down the production of reactive oxygen species in response to heat, chemical irritants or toxins.
The visual system’s lingering mystery: Connecting neural activity and perception
Figuring out how the brain uses information from visual neurons may require new tools. I asked 10 neuroscientists what experimental and conceptual methods they think we’re missing.
The visual system’s lingering mystery: Connecting neural activity and perception
Figuring out how the brain uses information from visual neurons may require new tools. I asked 10 neuroscientists what experimental and conceptual methods they think we’re missing.
Remembering A. James Hudspeth, hair cell explorer
Hudspeth, who died 16 August at age 79, devoted his 50-year career to untangling how the ear converts sound into electrical signals.
Remembering A. James Hudspeth, hair cell explorer
Hudspeth, who died 16 August at age 79, devoted his 50-year career to untangling how the ear converts sound into electrical signals.
Body state, sensory signals commingle in mouse whisker cortex
The new study challenges a long-held view that the barrel cortex exclusively encodes sensory signals from the whiskers.
Body state, sensory signals commingle in mouse whisker cortex
The new study challenges a long-held view that the barrel cortex exclusively encodes sensory signals from the whiskers.
This paper changed my life: Victoria Abraira on a tasty link between circuits and behavior
The findings from Charles Zuker’s lab put the taste system on the map, revealing that some fundamental principles of behavior are hardwired.
This paper changed my life: Victoria Abraira on a tasty link between circuits and behavior
The findings from Charles Zuker’s lab put the taste system on the map, revealing that some fundamental principles of behavior are hardwired.
The big idea with Diego Bohórquez
His theories around the neuropod have challenged the boundaries of classic ideas regarding gut-brain communication.
The big idea with Diego Bohórquez
His theories around the neuropod have challenged the boundaries of classic ideas regarding gut-brain communication.
Subthalamic plasticity helps mice squelch innate fear responses
When the animals learn that a perceived threat is not dangerous, long-term activity changes in a part of the subthalamus suppress their instinctive fears.
Subthalamic plasticity helps mice squelch innate fear responses
When the animals learn that a perceived threat is not dangerous, long-term activity changes in a part of the subthalamus suppress their instinctive fears.
Double-duty neurons in primary olfactory cortex pick up on more than just scent
The cells recognize not only odors, such as bananas and black licorice—but also images and words associated with those smells, according to single-neuron recordings from 17 people.
Double-duty neurons in primary olfactory cortex pick up on more than just scent
The cells recognize not only odors, such as bananas and black licorice—but also images and words associated with those smells, according to single-neuron recordings from 17 people.
How ‘walking fish’ feel, taste hidden food with their legs
Fins-turned-legs in sea robins are innervated with touch-sensitive neurons and taste-receptor-rich cells that can detect prey buried in the sand, according to new research.
How ‘walking fish’ feel, taste hidden food with their legs
Fins-turned-legs in sea robins are innervated with touch-sensitive neurons and taste-receptor-rich cells that can detect prey buried in the sand, according to new research.
Visual perception improves in the blink of an eye
Blinking—long considered a problem the brain must overcome to produce seamless vision—may actually be more of a feature than a bug, new research suggests.
Visual perception improves in the blink of an eye
Blinking—long considered a problem the brain must overcome to produce seamless vision—may actually be more of a feature than a bug, new research suggests.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Noninvasive method lifts curtain on cerebrospinal-fluid dance in human brain
Cerebrospinal fluid shows brain-region-specific dynamics, a new high-resolution MRI approach reveals.
Noninvasive method lifts curtain on cerebrospinal-fluid dance in human brain
Cerebrospinal fluid shows brain-region-specific dynamics, a new high-resolution MRI approach reveals.
Aging as adaptation: Learning the brain’s recipe for resilience
Some age-related changes in the brain and in behavior are not solely the result of cognitive decline but rather part of a larger adaptive process.
Aging as adaptation: Learning the brain’s recipe for resilience
Some age-related changes in the brain and in behavior are not solely the result of cognitive decline but rather part of a larger adaptive process.
Going against the gut: Q&A with Kevin Mitchell on the autism-microbiome theory
A new review of 15 years of studies on the connection between the microbiome and autism reveals widespread statistical and conceptual errors.
Going against the gut: Q&A with Kevin Mitchell on the autism-microbiome theory
A new review of 15 years of studies on the connection between the microbiome and autism reveals widespread statistical and conceptual errors.