June 2017

June’s top neural circuit papers introduce new methods for non-invasively stimulating and labeling circuits, ferrying genes to central and peripheral circuits, and some really cool conceptual advances. The advances include circuit mechanisms for complex behaviors ranging from nicotine-seeking, wakefulness, face coding, motor control and sexual behaviors. Some of the conceptual advances show novel mechanisms for

We’ve launched a new podcast series in which we interview leading scientists about the latest in neuroscience and neurotechnology. In our inaugural podcast, I had the great fortune of interviewing the brilliant Surya Ganguli, PhD, theoretical neuroscientist from Stanford University. In this fast-paced and science-packed interview, Surya gives his motivation for studying theoretical neuroscience, and

Everyone who has seen the cells that make up the brain knows how intricate and delicate they are, like the finest filigree nature has ever made. As a graduate student in neuroscience, I spent hours upon hours labeling and reconstructing neurons. I so often marveled at their beauty, and thought to myself, someone needs to

Imaging calcium (Ca2+)-dependent neuronal activity with a head mounted miniaturized microscope is a revolutionary technique to study the brain in action. This incredible technology empowers neuroscientists across the world to decipher how hundreds of brain cells respond under healthy conditions and in diseased states. Since this method is relatively new and unique in its ability

Opsins are transmembrane proteins and a fundamental component of the optogenetic toolkit. As optogenetics actuators, opsins modify the activity of cells in which they are expressed when exposed to light and can induce single to multiple action potentials or inhibit neural activity with millisecond precision. Opsins can be categorized into two main classes: microbial opsins

Addiction is surging in the United States. We’re all aware of the current news on the opioid crisis, and at least one in every 10 American adult is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Though the specific reasons for addiction must vary with the person, there are universal features, like the way we learn to associate

We perused the journals for neural circuit research papers so all you have to do is click on the link below, if a paper interests you. The month of May started out slow for neural circuit papers, but ended up with a plethora of papers to read ranging from a circuit for sleep, memory, vocal