Evolution
Recent articles
The three-banded panther worm is rewriting the story of brain evolution
The animal has a brain structure all its own, according to a 2026 preprint. The finding hints that brains could have evolved centralization before regionalization.
The three-banded panther worm is rewriting the story of brain evolution
The animal has a brain structure all its own, according to a 2026 preprint. The finding hints that brains could have evolved centralization before regionalization.
Remembering Barbara Finlay, ‘maverick’ of evolutionary neuroscience
Finlay, who died on 12 September, championed the idea that developmental constraints dictate how evolution sculpts brains, a concept she used to model the timing of hundreds of events and align them across mammalian species.
Remembering Barbara Finlay, ‘maverick’ of evolutionary neuroscience
Finlay, who died on 12 September, championed the idea that developmental constraints dictate how evolution sculpts brains, a concept she used to model the timing of hundreds of events and align them across mammalian species.
Crows have brains ‘in the fast lane’
The birds accurately complete decision-making tasks twice as fast as primates, although their endbrains look considerably different.
Crows have brains ‘in the fast lane’
The birds accurately complete decision-making tasks twice as fast as primates, although their endbrains look considerably different.
Response to ‘Finally, a new route for the magnetic-sense field’
Magnetoreception in Drosophila has much to offer those with an interest in neuroscience.
Response to ‘Finally, a new route for the magnetic-sense field’
Magnetoreception in Drosophila has much to offer those with an interest in neuroscience.
Finally, a new route for the magnetic-sense field
Researchers have dueled for years over how the magnetic sense works. New data from monarch butterflies could finally help settle the debate.
Finally, a new route for the magnetic-sense field
Researchers have dueled for years over how the magnetic sense works. New data from monarch butterflies could finally help settle the debate.
How thirteen-lined ground squirrels illuminate retinal development
In most mammalian retinas, rods outnumber cones. But that ratio is flipped in ground squirrels, a quirk that helps Seth Blackshaw explore how retinal cells develop their identities.
How thirteen-lined ground squirrels illuminate retinal development
In most mammalian retinas, rods outnumber cones. But that ratio is flipped in ground squirrels, a quirk that helps Seth Blackshaw explore how retinal cells develop their identities.
Highlights from the first-ever Neural Genetics and Epigenetics Gordon Research Conference
The meeting’s organizers recap the science to watch.
Highlights from the first-ever Neural Genetics and Epigenetics Gordon Research Conference
The meeting’s organizers recap the science to watch.
Purkinje cells evolved to have increasingly complex architecture
An increasing proportion of the cerebellar neurons acquired multiple primary dendrites in humans and other apes, according to a comparison of 11 primate species.
Purkinje cells evolved to have increasingly complex architecture
An increasing proportion of the cerebellar neurons acquired multiple primary dendrites in humans and other apes, according to a comparison of 11 primate species.
Arboreal deer mice reveal neural roots of dexterity
The rodents offered researchers an opportunity to link genetically driven changes in corticospinal abundance and morphology to climbing cachet.
Arboreal deer mice reveal neural roots of dexterity
The rodents offered researchers an opportunity to link genetically driven changes in corticospinal abundance and morphology to climbing cachet.
‘The Brain, In Theory,’ an excerpt
In his new book, Brette pushes back against theories that describe the brain as a “biological computer.” In this excerpt from Chapter 4, he challenges equating brain evolution with programming, and the universality of neural network models.
‘The Brain, In Theory,’ an excerpt
In his new book, Brette pushes back against theories that describe the brain as a “biological computer.” In this excerpt from Chapter 4, he challenges equating brain evolution with programming, and the universality of neural network models.
Explore more from The Transmitter
New phase of BRAIN Initiative spawns basal ganglia ‘parts list’
With a standardized cell naming system and infrastructure for data collection and analysis, the basal ganglia project sets the stage for a whole-brain primate atlas.
New phase of BRAIN Initiative spawns basal ganglia ‘parts list’
With a standardized cell naming system and infrastructure for data collection and analysis, the basal ganglia project sets the stage for a whole-brain primate atlas.
Machine-learning model spots autism-linked variants that scramble splicing
The model provides a way to investigate genetic variation in regions of the genome whose functions have been difficult to interpret.
Machine-learning model spots autism-linked variants that scramble splicing
The model provides a way to investigate genetic variation in regions of the genome whose functions have been difficult to interpret.
Future of AI brain models sparks debate
Neuroscientists are divided about whether foundation models that predict brain responses will help the field understand how brains work.
Future of AI brain models sparks debate
Neuroscientists are divided about whether foundation models that predict brain responses will help the field understand how brains work.