The Transmitter

06/08/2026

Complex, goal-directed and even emotionally responsive behavior can unfold without awareness, providing a useful lens for interpreting artificial systems, write Vanessa Hadid, Karim Jerbi and John W. Krakauer.

Complex, goal-directed and emotionally responsive behavior can unfold without awareness, providing a useful lens for interpreting artificial systems.

06/07/2026

What leads an autism researcher to publish an intentionally inflammatory paper accusing the NIH of discrimination? In Chapter 1 of our new five-part podcast, Tempest McDonald’s turbulent childhood begins to provide some answers. Listen now:

What leads an autism researcher to publish an intentionally inflammatory paper accusing the NIH of discrimination?

06/05/2026

Two neurons form the minimal circuit needed to compute the difference between expected and actual rewards.

By Natalia Mesa

The finding bolsters the canonical model of reward prediction error, which has come under scrutiny in recent years.

06/05/2026

Across the brain, neurons repeatedly reuse the same pair of adhesion molecules to assemble distinct neural circuits, according to three new studies.

By Holly Barker

A versatile pair of proteins steers neurons toward their targets and helps establish the brain’s sensory maps, new studies suggest.

06/04/2026

The Burke Neurological Institute, a spinal cord and brain injury research center, has ended research operations, citing a lack of funds.

By Lauren Schenkman

06/04/2026

“When autistic kids grow up” is a five-part podcast exploring how Tempest McDonald’s lived experience fueled her research, and how she stumbled onto a problem with autism funding that has been hiding in plain sight. Explore Chapter 1, out now, wherever you get your podcasts: https://www.thetransmitter.org/when-autistic-kids-grow-up/when-autistic-kids-grow-up?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=org-social&utm_campaign=20260604-when-autistic-kids-grow-up-podcast-announcement

06/03/2026

In this episode of Brain Inspired, Neda Nemati explains how neuroscience methods and the lived experience of the scientists themselves shape how we define the behaviors we seek to explain.

Nedah Nemati explains how neuroscience methods and scientists’ lived experiences shape how we define the behaviors we seek to explain.

06/03/2026

Two Yale University neuroscientists received $40 million to develop a method of shuttling genome-editing therapies into the brain. Other experts question whether it will do what the researchers claim.

By Natalia Mesa

Yale University claims its STEP platform might be able to deliver gene-editing tools into the brain via multiple routes. Researchers are eager to see more.

06/02/2026

The Allen Institute, a scientific research organization that has been dedicated to basic, discovery science for several decades, is launching a new project focused on human brain health.

By Calli McMurray

The Brain Health Accelerator program aims to harness single-cell transcriptomics and genetic tools to develop treatments for five brain diseases.

06/02/2026

Despite their reputation as social rodents, prairie voles don’t get along with animals outside their family group. So, to study the neurobiology behind group dynamics, Aubrey Kelly turned to the spiny mouse.

By Hannah Thomasy

Aubrey Kelly studies the gregarious mammal to explore how the brain controls complex social behaviors “akin to friendship.”