No science left behind - p1117

doi:10.1038/nn1008-1117

The contribution of private philanthropy to research has been growing. Although these large infusions of money can galvanize research, private and public funds now increasingly seem to support similar projects. Caution is warranted to prevent funding for specific topics from skewing research to the detriment of other fields.

Full Text - No science left behind | PDF (132 KB) - No science left behind

Are humans unique? - p1119

John T Cacioppo & William Patrick review Human: The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique by Michael S Gazzaniga

doi:10.1038/nn1008-1119

Full Text - Are humans unique? | PDF (112 KB) - Are humans unique?

Right way neurons - pp1121 - 1122

Sharath Bennur & Joshua I Gold

doi:10.1038/nn1008-1121

The visual and vestibular systems encode different, but complementary, aspects of self motion. A study in this issue sheds light on how the brain combines cues from these disparate sources, which are encoded by single neurons in the monkey extrastriate visual cortex, to support the perception of heading direction.

Full Text - Right way neurons | PDF (375 KB) - Right way neurons

See also: Article by Gu et al.

FoxP1: conducting the Hox symphony in spinal motor neurons - pp1122 - 1124

Silvia Arber

doi:10.1038/nn1008-1122

The transcription factor FoxP1 is important for the establishment of motor neuron diversification and connectivity. New studies indicate that it acts as an accessory factor for the transcriptional output of the Hox transcription factor network.

Full Text - FoxP1: conducting the Hox symphony in spinal motor neurons | PDF (304 KB) - FoxP1: conducting the Hox symphony in spinal motor neurons

Regenerating your senses: multiple roles for neurogenesis in the adult brain - pp1124 - 1126

Paul W Frankland & Freda D Miller

doi:10.1038/nn1008-1124

The adult mouse brain continuously supplies new neurons to the olfactory bulb and hippocampus. A new study in this issue shows that ongoing neurogenesis is essential for maintenance of the olfactory bulb and for spatial memory.

Full Text - Regenerating your senses: multiple roles for neurogenesis in the adult brain | PDF (819 KB) - Regenerating your senses: multiple roles for neurogenesis in the adult brain

See also: Article by Imayoshi et al.

Pavlov's moth: olfactory learning and spike timing–dependent plasticity - pp1126 - 1127

Julian P Meeks & Timothy E Holy

doi:10.1038/nn1008-1126

Spike-timing dependent plasticity is a favored synaptic mechanism for learning. However, a surprising new study by Ito and colleagues in the insect mushroom body suggests that it cannot account for a paradigmatic form of learning.

Full Text - Pavlov's moth: olfactory learning and spike timing–dependent plasticity | PDF (338 KB) - Pavlov's moth: olfactory learning and spike timing–dependent plasticity

See also: Article by Ito et al.

The uncrowded window of object recognition - pp1129 - 1135

Denis G Pelli & Katharine A Tillman

doi:10.1038/nn.2187

This perspective article proposes a general law (Bouma law), which states that a visual object is crowded (and therefore cannot be perceived) when spacing between multiple objects is less than a critical spacing value. Crucially, this value is independent of the object.

Abstract - | Full Text - The uncrowded window of object recognition | PDF (498 KB) - The uncrowded window of object recognition | Supplementary information

miR-19, miR-101 and miR-130 co-regulate ATXN1 levels to potentially modulate SCA1 pathogenesis - pp1137 - 1139

Yoontae Lee, Rodney C Samaco, Jennifer R Gatchel, Christina Thaller, Harry T Orr & Huda Y Zoghbi

doi:10.1038/nn.2183

This study demonstrates that several microRNA species co-regulate the levels of the ataxin1, a gene implicated in the development of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1). With ataxin1 dosage contributing to disease severity, this regulation pathway may influence SCA1 progression.

Abstract - | Full Text - miR-19, miR-101 and miR-130 co-regulate ATXN1 levels to potentially modulate SCA1 pathogenesis | PDF (266 KB) - miR-19, miR-101 and miR-130 co-regulate ATXN1 levels to potentially modulate SCA1 pathogenesis | Supplementary information

Laminar analysis of the role of GluR1 in experience-dependent and synaptic depression in barrel cortex - pp1140 - 1142

Nicholas Wright, Stanislaw Glazewski, Neil Hardingham, Keith Phillips, Eleftheria Pervolaraki & Kevin Fox

doi:10.1038/nn.2188

There are many mechanisms for LTD, but it remains unknown which one underlies experience-dependent plasticity during development. Wright and colleagues now report that LTD in response to developmental deprivation depends on the GluR1 subunit in barrel cortex layers 2/3 and 4.

Abstract - | Full Text - Laminar analysis of the role of GluR1 in experience-dependent and synaptic depression in barrel cortex | PDF (279 KB) - Laminar analysis of the role of GluR1 in experience-dependent and synaptic depression in barrel cortex | Supplementary information

Excess protein synthesis in Drosophila Fragile X mutants impairs long-term memory - pp1143 - 1145

François V Bolduc, Kimberly Bell, Hilary Cox, Kendal S Broadie & Tim Tully

doi:10.1038/nn.2175

It was previously known that a lack of FMRP can lead to a broad increase in protein synthesis. In this manuscript, the authors demonstrate a direct association between enhanced protein synthesis and the cognitive deficits observed in animal models lacking FMRP.

Abstract - | Full Text - Excess protein synthesis in Drosophila Fragile X mutants impairs long-term memory | PDF (476 KB) - Excess protein synthesis in Drosophila Fragile X mutants impairs long-term memory | Supplementary information

Changes in neuronal excitability serve as a mechanism of long-term memory for operant conditioning - pp1146 - 1148

Riccardo Mozzachiodi, Fred D Lorenzetti, Douglas A Baxter & John H Byrne

doi:10.1038/nn.2184

In addition to the changes in synaptic efficacy, modifications in the intrinsic excitability of neurons are seen after learning. Using in vitro operant conditioning of feeding in Aplysia, Mozzachiodi et al. demonstrate that a long-term increase in the neuronal excitability can contribute to the storage of long-term memory.

Abstract - | Full Text - Changes in neuronal excitability serve as a mechanism of long-term memory for operant conditioning | PDF (519 KB) - Changes in neuronal excitability serve as a mechanism of long-term memory for operant conditioning | Supplementary information

ERK-dependent PSD-95 induction in the gustatory cortex is necessary for taste learning, but not retrieval - pp1149 - 1151

Alina Elkobi, Ingrid Ehrlich, Katya Belelovsky, Liza Barki-Harrington & Kobi Rosenblum

doi:10.1038/nn.2190

Synaptic plasticity is believed to underlie the formation of long-term memories, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Elkobi and colleagues now report that induction of PSD-95, a synaptic protein, parallels taste learning, and attenuation of PSD-95 expression in taste cortex blocks learning of novel tastes, but not recollection of familiar ones.

Abstract - | Full Text - ERK-dependent PSD-95 induction in the gustatory cortex is necessary for taste learning, but not retrieval | PDF (218 KB) - ERK-dependent PSD-95 induction in the gustatory cortex is necessary for taste learning, but not retrieval | Supplementary information

Roles of continuous neurogenesis in the structural and functional integrity of the adult forebrain - pp1153 - 1161

Itaru Imayoshi, Masayuki Sakamoto, Toshiyuki Ohtsuka, Keizo Takao, Tsuyoshi Miyakawa, Masahiro Yamaguchi, Kensaku Mori, Toshio Ikeda, Shigeyoshi Itohara & Ryoichiro Kageyama

doi:10.1038/nn.2185

How important is ongoing neurogenesis to the function of the adult brain? Using genetic labeling and ablation methods in mice, Imayoshi and colleagues show that ongoing neurogenesis is required for maintenance of the olfactory bulb granule neuron population. In the hippocampus, blocking neurogenesis resulted in impaired contextual and spatial memory.

Abstract - | Full Text - Roles of continuous neurogenesis in the structural and functional integrity of the adult forebrain | PDF (1,107 KB) - Roles of continuous neurogenesis in the structural and functional integrity of the adult forebrain | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Frankland & Miller

Massive restructuring of neuronal circuits during functional reorganization of adult visual cortex - pp1162 - 1167

Tara Keck, Thomas D Mrsic-Flogel, Miguel Vaz Afonso, Ulf T Eysel, Tobias Bonhoeffer & Mark Hübener

doi:10.1038/nn.2181

Following a retinal lesion, it is known that extensive topographical remapping occurs in visual cortex. To examine the dynamics of this plasticity, Keck et al. combined chronic intrinsic and two-photon imaging to follow both the functional and structural modifications of the affected cortical region. They observed close to a complete turnover of spines on the functionally relevant cells, suggesting that a massive rewiring had occurred, producing new circuits.

Abstract - | Full Text - Massive restructuring of neuronal circuits during functional reorganization of adult visual cortex | PDF (588 KB) - Massive restructuring of neuronal circuits during functional reorganization of adult visual cortex | Supplementary information

FMRFamide neuropeptides and acetylcholine synergistically inhibit egg-laying by C. elegans - pp1168 - 1176

Niels Ringstad & H Robert Horvitz

doi:10.1038/nn.2186

Employing molecular genetic analysis of a G protein–coupled receptor and its cognate ligands, Ringstad and Horvitz describe a neuropeptide pathway that modulates egg-laying behavior in C. elegans. This signaling pathway is shown to act in a collaborative fashion with cholinergic signaling to inhibit this behavior.

Abstract - | Full Text - FMRFamide neuropeptides and acetylcholine synergistically inhibit egg-laying by C. elegans | PDF (484 KB) - FMRFamide neuropeptides and acetylcholine synergistically inhibit egg-laying by C. elegans | Supplementary information

Sparse odor representation and olfactory learning - pp1177 - 1184

Iori Ito, Rose Chik-ying Ong, Baranidharan Raman & Mark Stopfer

doi:10.1038/nn.2192

Recording from Kenyon cells in moths, the authors investigated the neural representations of odors that become associated with rewards through learning. They find that the spikes representing the odor do not coincide with reinforcement, suggesting that Hebbian spike timing dependent plasticity alone cannot underlie this learning.

Abstract - | Full Text - Sparse odor representation and olfactory learning | PDF (652 KB) - Sparse odor representation and olfactory learning | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Meeks & Holy

Links from complex spikes to local plasticity and motor learning in the cerebellum of awake-behaving monkeys - pp1185 - 1192

Javier F Medina & Stephen G Lisberger

doi:10.1038/nn.2197

This study presents a trial-by-trial analysis of responses of Purkinje cells of the cerebellum in awake-behaving monkeys as they carry out a simple motor learning task. The results show that the presence of a complex spike on one learning trial is linked to a depression of simple-spike responses on a subsequent trial when behavioral learning takes place.

Abstract - | Full Text - Links from complex spikes to local plasticity and motor learning in the cerebellum of awake-behaving monkeys | PDF (870 KB) - Links from complex spikes to local plasticity and motor learning in the cerebellum of awake-behaving monkeys | Supplementary information

Divergence of fMRI and neural signals in V1 during perceptual suppression in the awake monkey - pp1193 - 1200

Alexander Maier, Melanie Wilke, Christopher Aura, Charles Zhu, Frank Q Ye & David A Leopold

doi:10.1038/nn.2173

Primary visual cortex (V1) activation in humans is attenuated during perceptual suppression, but recordings of single neurons in monkey V1 show little suppression. The authors resolve this apparent conflict, finding that perceptual suppression in monkeys is associated with strong suppression of population level activation, but only weak suppression of single neuron activity.

Abstract - | Full Text - Divergence of fMRI and neural signals in V1 during perceptual suppression in the awake monkey | PDF (1,114 KB) - Divergence of fMRI and neural signals in V1 during perceptual suppression in the awake monkey | Supplementary information

Neural correlates of multisensory cue integration in macaque MSTd - pp1201 - 1210

Yong Gu, Dora E Angelaki & Gregory C DeAngelis

doi:10.1038/nn.2191

Observers can combine multiple sensory cues to achieve greater perceptual sensitivity, but little is known about the underlying neuronal mechanisms. Gu and colleagues found neurons in the dorsal medial superior temporal area of the macaque that had responses that were consistent with the signals expected to result from cue combination.

Abstract - | Full Text - Neural correlates of multisensory cue integration in macaque MSTd | PDF (625 KB) - Neural correlates of multisensory cue integration in macaque MSTd | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Bennur & Gold

Improved visual sensitivity during smooth pursuit eye movements - pp1211 - 1216

Alexander C Schütz, Doris I Braun, Dirk Kerzel & Karl R Gegenfurtner

doi:10.1038/nn.2194

Visual sensitivity is degraded while the eyes are moving. This study now finds that sensitivity for some kinds of visual stimuli is actually improved during smooth pursuit eye movements. These sensitivity increases are likely to originate from the parvocellular retino-thalamic system.

Abstract - | Full Text - Improved visual sensitivity during smooth pursuit eye movements | PDF (325 KB) - Improved visual sensitivity during smooth pursuit eye movements | Supplementary information

Speech motor learning in profoundly deaf adults - pp1217 - 1222

Sazzad M Nasir & David J Ostry

doi:10.1038/nn.2193

Speech production relies on both somatosensory input from the vocal tract and auditory input. Nasir and Ostry now show that in deaf individuals, somatosensory input alone can support speech motor learning.

Abstract - | Full Text - Speech motor learning in profoundly deaf adults | PDF (400 KB) - Speech motor learning in profoundly deaf adults

Spatial updating: how the brain keeps track of changing object locations during observer motion - pp1223 - 1230

Thomas Wolbers, Mary Hegarty, Christian Büchel & Jack M Loomis

doi:10.1038/nn.2189

The precuneus and the dorsal premotor cortex track changes in the positions of surrounding objects when observers move around in a virtual environment, finds this fMRI study. Importantly, activation in the dorsal premotor cortex was modulated by subjects making a motor response to indicate object positions, while the precuneus tracked positions regardless of response type.

Abstract - | Full Text - Spatial updating: how the brain keeps track of changing object locations during observer motion | PDF (494 KB) - Spatial updating: how the brain keeps track of changing object locations during observer motion | Supplementary information