Amygdala
Recent articles
This paper changed my life: ‘Selective erasure of a fear memory’ from the Josselyn Lab
This groundbreaking 2009 paper set a foundation for the types of memories researchers could manipulate and inspired my own approach to science.
![Illustration of three columns of text with a winding path of blank white space where an eraser has been used.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/TPCML-1200-1024x692.webp)
This paper changed my life: ‘Selective erasure of a fear memory’ from the Josselyn Lab
This groundbreaking 2009 paper set a foundation for the types of memories researchers could manipulate and inspired my own approach to science.
‘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.
![Computer-generated illustration of disgusting green food.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1200-transmitter-neuroscience-food-aversion-1024x692.webp)
‘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.
Sheena Josselyn and memories lost, found and created
Her hunt for the engram opened a new avenue in memory research.
![Portrait of scientist Sheena Josselyn behind a window, with a reflection over her face.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SheenaJosselynLedehorizontal200-1024x692.webp)
Sheena Josselyn and memories lost, found and created
Her hunt for the engram opened a new avenue in memory research.
On fashion in neuroscience: In defense of freezing behavior
Neuroscience experiments are moving toward the analysis of more complex behaviors, enabled by increasingly sophisticated tools. But we shouldn’t abandon simpler paradigms.
![A shop rack of lab coats both white and in many distinct and colorful styles.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1200_freezing-1024x683.webp)
On fashion in neuroscience: In defense of freezing behavior
Neuroscience experiments are moving toward the analysis of more complex behaviors, enabled by increasingly sophisticated tools. But we shouldn’t abandon simpler paradigms.
‘Into the wild’: Moving studies of memory and learning out of the lab
People with electrodes embedded deep in their brain are collaborating with a growing posse of plucky researchers to uncover the mysteries of real-world recall.
![Three researchers, one wearing movement-tracking devices, walk around a university campus.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1200-into-the-wild-lede-1024x683.webp)
‘Into the wild’: Moving studies of memory and learning out of the lab
People with electrodes embedded deep in their brain are collaborating with a growing posse of plucky researchers to uncover the mysteries of real-world recall.
Magnetic stimulation for autism: Q&A with Xujun Duan
A new individualized approach to transcranial magnetic stimulation may one day be an effective treatment for social and communication difficulties, if the results from Duan’s small preliminary trial pan out.
![A patient receives transcranial magnetic stimulation.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-autism-1-1024x692.png)
Magnetic stimulation for autism: Q&A with Xujun Duan
A new individualized approach to transcranial magnetic stimulation may one day be an effective treatment for social and communication difficulties, if the results from Duan’s small preliminary trial pan out.
Anxiety drives amygdala differences in autistic youth
Regions of the brain’s fear center expand in autistic children and teenagers with anxiety, but not in their autistic or non-autistic peers without anxiety.
![A brain scan displays images of the amygdala with different sections highlighted in blue, red, orange and other colors.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/amygdala-subnuclei-autism-844.jpg)
Anxiety drives amygdala differences in autistic youth
Regions of the brain’s fear center expand in autistic children and teenagers with anxiety, but not in their autistic or non-autistic peers without anxiety.
Amygdala-linked brain areas grow differently in autism
The growth differences vary between autistic boys and girls and are most apparent among children with prominent social difficulties.
![A cross-section of the human brain and limbic system](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Amygdala-Connected-brain-autism-844.jpg)
Amygdala-linked brain areas grow differently in autism
The growth differences vary between autistic boys and girls and are most apparent among children with prominent social difficulties.
Autism-linked mutation disrupts brain circuit to change social behavior
Therapies that target the circuit could boost social activity, new findings suggest.
Autism-linked mutation disrupts brain circuit to change social behavior
Therapies that target the circuit could boost social activity, new findings suggest.
Amygdala development diverges in autism-specific anxiety
The brain region, which is involved in fear and emotion processing, develops differently in autistic children with anxiety than in those without anxiety or in non-autistic children; its development also depends on the type of anxiety a child experiences.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Amygdala-844.jpg)
Amygdala development diverges in autism-specific anxiety
The brain region, which is involved in fear and emotion processing, develops differently in autistic children with anxiety than in those without anxiety or in non-autistic children; its development also depends on the type of anxiety a child experiences.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
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.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
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.