This Week in Neuroscience

Bruce Carter joins TWiN to discuss the peripheral nervous system: the development of nerves that convey sensory information like touch from the tips of your toes to the brain, and Schwann cells, which are necessary for ensuring that those sensory signals are sustained as they travel long distances to the brain. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Timothy Cheung , and Vivianne Morrison Guest: Bruce Carter...

TWiN explains how anti-DNA antibodies present in lupus patients bind to GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors, act as positive allosteric modulators, and impair spatial memory. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Ori Lieberman , Jason Shepherd, Timothy Cheung , and Vivianne Morrison Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for this episode Lupus autoantibodie...

TWiN explores a study of hallucination-like perception in mice which supports the idea that hallucinations arise as faulty perceptual inferences due to elevated dopamine in the striatum. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Ori Lieberman , and Timothy Cheung Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for this episode Listener poll - please take it Striatal...

While perceptual constancy requires the brain to maintain a stable representation of sensory input, TWiN explores a study showing that odor-evoked responses in the olfactory cortex drift over periods of days to weeks. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Jason Shepherd , Timothy Cheung , and Vivianne Morrison Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for t...

On this episode, Vivianne gives a primer on glial cells, with the goal of thinking about the central nervous system holistically and appreciating the different cell types that contribute to its function. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Jason Shepherd , Timothy Cheung , and Vivianne Morrison Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Music is by  Ronald Jenke...

Mauro Costa-Mattioli joins TWiN to discuss how his laboratory dissects the contribution of host genetics and the microbiome in complex neurodevelopment disorders such as autism spectrum disorders. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Ori Lieberman , Jason Shepherd , Timothy Cheung , and Vivianne Morrison Guest: Mauro Costa-Mattioli Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patro...

Michael Nitabach joins TWiN to discuss the finding that the nematode C. elegans, which do not have eyes, can discriminate between colors to guide foraging decisions and move them away from harmful bacteria that produce a blue-pigment toxin. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Ori Lieberman , Jason Shepherd , Timothy Cheung , and Vivianne Morrison Guest: Michael Nitabach Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google...

Helen joins TWiN to discuss her work on understanding how the maternal microbiome modulates fetal neurodevelopment in mice. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Andres Bendesky , Jason Shepherd , and Vincent Racaniello Guest: Helen Vuong Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for this episode Maternal microbiome influences fetal neurodevelopment (Nature) Tim...

Ori, Jason, and Vincent discuss the use of antibodies to neutralize amyloid-β seeds before their deposition becomes detectable in transgenic mice, and the finding that the preclinical phase of Alzheimer's disease may be a late manifestation of earlier pathogenic seed formation. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Jason Shepherd , and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , emai...

Ori, Jason, Erin, and Vincent dissect a study that utilizes single-cell RNA sequencing to reveal the genes that underlie remote memory storage in the medial prefrontal cortex of the mouse. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Erin Calipari, Jason Shepherd , and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for this episode Transcriptional program...

Ori, Jason, and Vincent reveal identification of an orphan receptor that modifies short-term memory in mice, and a mouse model of COVID-19 that includes anosmia or loss of smell. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Vincent Racaniello , and Jason Shepherd   Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for this episode Thalamic orphan receptor in short term memory...

Maria joins TWiN to explain how single-cell transcriptomics is being used to reveal the evolution of the brain, at a cost of about $1 per neuron. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Andres Bendesky , and Vincent Racaniello Guest: Maria Tosches Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for this episode Single-cell transcriptomics of reptile cortex (Science) Inn...

TWiN explains how a cytokine produced by neurons activates microglia which modify the extracellular matrix and remodel synapses, leading to memory consolidation. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Andres Bendesky , Erin Calipari , Jason Shepherd and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for this episode IL-33 promotes synaptic plasticit...

Columbia University Chief Neurology Resident Genna Waldman joins TWiN to explains how her department prepared for COVID-19, and the neurological symptoms associated with the disease. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Andres Bendesky , Jason Shepherd and Vincent Racaniello Guest: Genna Waldman Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for this episode Prepari...

TWiN explains how neurological disease in mice can be repaired by using CRISPR/Cas to knock down levels of a single cell protein, which converts astrocytes to neurons. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Erin Calipari , Jason Shepherd and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for this episode Converting glia to neurons (Cell) Reversing P...

The TWiN team reveals how the nervous system controls hair graying in mice subjected to stress, and adaptive immune responses. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Jason Shepherd ,   Erin Calipari  and  Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for the episode The hair cycle (J Cell Sci) Hyperactivation of sympathetic nerves drives hair greyi...

Nirao Shah joins TWiN to discuss the work of his laboratory on how our brains generate social interactions that differ between the sexes. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Andres Bendesky , and Jason Shepherd Guest: Nirao Shah Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for this episode Nirao Shah laboratory Neural circuit remodeling and sexual behavior (Cell)...

Bob Datta joins TWiN to reveal the findings of his laboratory on expression of SARS-CoV-2 entry genes in the olfactory epithelium and the implications for anosmia associated with COVID-19. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Andres Bendesky , Jason Shepherd , Erin Calipari and  Vincent Racaniello Guest: Bob Datta Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for t...

Jason visits the TWiN studio to explain Arc Capsid Bearing Any RNAs (ACBARs), virus-like capsids that transfer genetic information between neurons. Hosts: Andres Bendesky , Jason Shepherd , and  Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for this episode Arc is a repurposed retrotransposon gag protein that mediates intercellular...

Erin and the TWiN team explain how dopamine neurons encode reward probability and uncertainty, and their roles in attention-based learning and risk-taking such as gambling and addiction. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Erin Calipari , Jason Shepherd , and  Vincent Racaniello Click arrow to play Download  TWiN 003 (52 MB .mp3, 86 min) Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  pat...

The TWiN team explain the basic principles of synaptic transmission, and review a classic paper demonstrating that recycling endosomes are important for modifying synaptic strength, which is involved in information storage and processing. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Andres Bendesky , Jason Shepherd , and  Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS , email Become a  patron  o...

The synaptics launch the first episode of TWiN by revealing their training, research interests, and goals for the podcast. Hosts: Ori Lieberman , Erin Calipari , Jason Shepherd , and  Vincent Racaniello Become a  patron  of TWiN! Links for this episode Lieberman lab Calipari lab Shepherd lab Image credit Intro music is by  Ronald Jenkees . Send your neuroscience questions and comments to twin@micr...