Perspectives
Recent articles
Expert opinions on trends and controversies in neuroscience
From bench to bot: Does AI really make you a more efficient writer?
A more significant benefit may lie in improving quality, refining tone and reducing cognitive burden. But beware of bias.
![Computer-generated illustration of a pencil.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/APpencil-1200-1024x692.webp)
From bench to bot: Does AI really make you a more efficient writer?
A more significant benefit may lie in improving quality, refining tone and reducing cognitive burden. But beware of bias.
From reductionism to dynamical systems: How two books influenced my thinking across 30 years of neuroscience
Nicole Rust describes her career-changing literary journey of joy, free will and the evolution of a field.
![A woman stands in front of two books that are open to reveal that they contain doorways from which blue light emanates.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Rust-Free-Will-200-1024x692.webp)
From reductionism to dynamical systems: How two books influenced my thinking across 30 years of neuroscience
Nicole Rust describes her career-changing literary journey of joy, free will and the evolution of a field.
Neuroscience needs a career path for software engineers
Few institutions have mechanisms for the type of long-term positions that would best benefit the science.
![Illustration of a blue face with sunglasses.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/engineers-1200-1024x692.webp)
Neuroscience needs a career path for software engineers
Few institutions have mechanisms for the type of long-term positions that would best benefit the science.
A genetics-first clinic for catching developmental conditions early: Q&A with Jacob Vorstman
A new clinic is assessing children who have a genetic predisposition for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions—sometimes before traits appear.
![Stock photograph of a women and her young child at a clinician’s office.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/evaluation-1200-1024x692.webp)
A genetics-first clinic for catching developmental conditions early: Q&A with Jacob Vorstman
A new clinic is assessing children who have a genetic predisposition for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions—sometimes before traits appear.
Nonsense correlations and how to avoid them
This statistical error is common in systems neuroscience. Fortunately, straightforward methods can help you prevent it.
![Illustration of a single digitally rendered figure wandering a fragmented and distorted virtual environment.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/nonsense-1200-1024x692.webp)
Nonsense correlations and how to avoid them
This statistical error is common in systems neuroscience. Fortunately, straightforward methods can help you prevent it.
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.
Is it time to worry about brain chimeras?
Brains made of neurons from two species raise new concerns.
![Research image of a brain chimera containing neurons from rats and mice.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Fig5F-black-1200-1024x692.webp)
Is it time to worry about brain chimeras?
Brains made of neurons from two species raise new concerns.
Building a global community: Q&A with Black In Neuro co-founder Clíona Kelly
As Black In Neuro Week 2024 continues through Sunday, Kelly explains how the organization expanded from its humble beginnings as a Slack channel to connect Black neuroscientists across the diaspora.
![Photograph of Ciona Kelly.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FINAL-clionakelly-1200-1024x692.webp)
Building a global community: Q&A with Black In Neuro co-founder Clíona Kelly
As Black In Neuro Week 2024 continues through Sunday, Kelly explains how the organization expanded from its humble beginnings as a Slack channel to connect Black neuroscientists across the diaspora.
Addressing the lack of infrastructure and training that stymies African neuroscience
A newly launched research center in Nigeria could offer a model for expanding neuroscience across the continent.
![Photograph of a neuroscience research training workshop in Africa.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Maina2-1200-1024x692.webp)
Addressing the lack of infrastructure and training that stymies African neuroscience
A newly launched research center in Nigeria could offer a model for expanding neuroscience across the continent.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
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.