Transgenic primate models inch forward - p729

doi:10.1038/nn0708-729

The recent announcement of a primate transgenic model of Huntington's disease might appear to represent only a limited advance, but given the work's potential, it would be shortsighted to close the door on this line of research.

Full Text - Transgenic primate models inch forward | PDF (136 KB) - Transgenic primate models inch forward

Adult neurogenesis finds its niche - p731

Erica R Glasper, Benedetta Leuner & Elizabeth Gould review Adult Neurogenesis edited by Fred H Gage, Gerd Kempermann & Hongjun Song

doi:10.1038/nn0708-731

Full Text - Adult neurogenesis finds its niche | PDF (121 KB) - Adult neurogenesis finds its niche

Out of control in the dendrites - pp733 - 734

Nelson Spruston & Daniel Johnston

doi:10.1038/nn0708-733

Although voltage-clamp recordings remain a favorite method for studying synaptic transmission, the space-clamp problems that are associated with somatic voltage-clamp recordings have never been directly measured. A study by Williams and Mitchell in this issue now measures the experimental errors associated with this technique.

Full Text - Out of control in the dendrites | PDF (272 KB) - Out of control in the dendrites

See also: Article by Williams & Mitchell

Catecholaminergic neuron survival: getting hooked on GDNF - pp735 - 736

Carlos F Ibáñez

doi:10.1038/nn0708-735

Pascual et al. conditionally delete glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression in adult mice. They report that GDNF is indispensable for the survival of adult catecholaminergic neurons.

Full Text - Catecholaminergic neuron survival: getting hooked on GDNF | PDF (2,011 KB) - Catecholaminergic neuron survival: getting hooked on GDNF

See also: Article by Pascual et al.

Cocaine-evoked synaptic plasticity: a key to addiction? - pp737 - 738

Christian Lüscher & Camilla Bellone

doi:10.1038/nn0708-737

Drugs of abuse are known to induce changes in synaptic strength in the reward neurons of the brain. Two recent studies shed some light on how drug-induced plasticity might mediate addictive behavior long after drug use.

Full Text - Cocaine-evoked synaptic plasticity: a key to addiction? | PDF (1,978 KB) - Cocaine-evoked synaptic plasticity: a key to addiction?

The shape of faces (to come) - pp739 - 740

Paul J Whalen & Robert E Kleck

doi:10.1038/nn0708-739

Have facial expressions evolved randomly or do their different shapes support some adaptive purpose? New work offers evidence of a selection pressure that may have shaped fearful and disgusted expressions.

Full Text - The shape of faces (to come) | PDF (288 KB) - The shape of faces (to come)

See also: Article by Susskind et al.

Awake and asleep - p740

Hannah Bayer

doi:10.1038/nn0708-740

Full Text - Awake and asleep | PDF (140 KB) - Awake and asleep

See also: Brief Communication by Greenberg et al.

Critical role of TRPC6 channels in the formation of excitatory synapses - pp741 - 743

Jian Zhou, Wanlu Du, Kechun Zhou, Yilin Tai, Hailan Yao, Yichang Jia, Yuqiang Ding & Yizheng Wang

doi:10.1038/nn.2127

TRPC6 promotes the formation of synapses in a CaMKIV-CREB–dependent manner. TRPC6-expressing transgenic animals showed increased numbers of spines and demonstrated enhanced learning on behavioral tasks.

Abstract - | Full Text - Critical role of TRPC6 channels in the formation of excitatory synapses | PDF (341 KB) - Critical role of TRPC6 channels in the formation of excitatory synapses | Supplementary information

Spike timing–dependent long-term depression requires presynaptic NMDA receptors - pp744 - 745

Antonio Rodríguez-Moreno & Ole Paulsen

doi:10.1038/nn.2125

In synaptically connected layer 4 and 2/3 cells, NMDA receptors are required postsynaptically for the expression of LTP and presynaptically for the expression of LTD.

Abstract - | Full Text - Spike timing–dependent long-term depression requires presynaptic NMDA receptors | PDF (204 KB) - Spike timing–dependent long-term depression requires presynaptic NMDA receptors | Supplementary information

Outer hair cell somatic, not hair bundle, motility is the basis of the cochlear amplifier - pp746 - 748

Marcia M Mellado Lagarde, Markus Drexl, Victoria A Lukashkina, Andrei N Lukashkin & Ian J Russell

doi:10.1038/nn.2129

Sound detection in mammalian cochlear involves a mechanoelectrical sensory transduction whose signal can be amplified by the outer hair cells in the organ of Corti. By recording the mechanical responses of cochlear taken from genetically modified mice, the current study provides evidence for hair-cell somatic motility as the underlying mechanism of cochlear amplification.

Abstract - | Full Text - Outer hair cell somatic, not hair bundle, motility is the basis of the cochlear amplifier | PDF (245 KB) - Outer hair cell somatic, not hair bundle, motility is the basis of the cochlear amplifier | Supplementary information

Population imaging of ongoing neuronal activity in the visual cortex of awake rats - pp749 - 751

David S Greenberg, Arthur R Houweling & Jason N D Kerr

doi:10.1038/nn.2140

Greenberg and colleagues directly compare the activity of cortical neurons in awake and subsequently anesthetized rats, finding that anesthesia modulates the relationship between firing rate and correlation, and suggesting that brain activity during wakefulness cannot be inferred from data gathered under anesthesia.

Abstract - | Full Text - Population imaging of ongoing neuronal activity in the visual cortex of awake rats | PDF (252 KB) - Population imaging of ongoing neuronal activity in the visual cortex of awake rats | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Bayer

The orexigenic hormone ghrelin defends against depressive symptoms of chronic stress - pp752 - 753

Michael Lutter, Ichiro Sakata, Sherri Osborne-Lawrence, Sherry A Rovinsky, Jason G Anderson, Saendy Jung, Shari Birnbaum, Masashi Yanagisawa, Joel K Elmquist, Eric J Nestler & Jeffrey M Zigman

doi:10.1038/nn.2139

The peptide hormone ghrelin has previously been linked to the regulation of metabolism. This study in mice finds that increasing levels of ghrelin, either through subcutaneous injections or calorie restriction, has an anxiolytic and antidepressive effect. This reveals a previously unknown function for ghrelin.

Abstract - | Full Text - The orexigenic hormone ghrelin defends against depressive symptoms of chronic stress | PDF (130 KB) - The orexigenic hormone ghrelin defends against depressive symptoms of chronic stress | Supplementary information

Absolute requirement of GDNF for adult catecholaminergic neuron survival - pp755 - 761

Alberto Pascual, María Hidalgo-Figueroa, José I Piruat, C Oscar Pintado, Raquel Gómez-Díaz & José López-Barneo

doi:10.1038/nn.2136

The exact function of glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in catecholaminergic cell survival in adulthood is unclear. Using a conditional GDNF-null mouse that suppresses GDNF expression in adulthood, Pascual et al. show that GDNF is an essential factor whose downregulation results in massive catecholaminergic neuronal death. Carlos Ibáñez discusses this paper in an accompanying News and Views.

Abstract - | Full Text - Absolute requirement of GDNF for adult catecholaminergic neuron survival | PDF (609 KB) - Absolute requirement of GDNF for adult catecholaminergic neuron survival | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Ibáñez

Membrane potential shifts caused by diffusible guidance signals direct growth-cone turning - pp762 - 771

Makoto Nishiyama, Melanie J von Schimmelmann, Kazunobu Togashi, William M Findley & Kyonsoo Hong

doi:10.1038/nn.2130

Diffusible axon guidance molecules can modulate membrane potential shifts in the growth cone, producing either attraction or repulsion. This is accomplished through the manipulation of Na⁺ or Cl^- currents by cGMP-based signaling mechanisms, producing a differential change in the Ca²⁺ influx into the growth cone.

Abstract - | Full Text - Membrane potential shifts caused by diffusible guidance signals direct growth-cone turning | PDF (794 KB) - Membrane potential shifts caused by diffusible guidance signals direct growth-cone turning | Supplementary information

Pungent agents from Szechuan peppers excite sensory neurons by inhibiting two-pore potassium channels - pp772 - 779

Diana M Bautista, Yaron M Sigal, Aaron D Milstein, Jennifer L Garrison, Julie A Zorn, Pamela R Tsuruda, Roger A Nicoll & David Julius

doi:10.1038/nn.2143

Sanshool, the compound responsible for the tingling sensations experienced when consuming Szechuan peppercorns, excites sensory neurons through a unique mechanism, the inhibition of two-pore potassium channels.

Abstract - | Full Text - Pungent agents from Szechuan peppers excite sensory neurons by inhibiting two-pore potassium channels | PDF (389 KB) - Pungent agents from Szechuan peppers excite sensory neurons by inhibiting two-pore potassium channels | Supplementary information

The binding sites for cocaine and dopamine in the dopamine transporter overlap - pp780 - 789

Thijs Beuming, Julie Kniazeff, Marianne L Bergmann, Lei Shi, Luis Gracia, Klaudia Raniszewska, Amy Hauck Newman, Jonathan A Javitch, Harel Weinstein, Ulrik Gether & Claus J Loland

doi:10.1038/nn.2146

Beuming and colleagues determined that the binding site for cocaine overlaps with that of dopamine on the dopamine transporter. Detailed modeling and mutagenesis experiments revealed that this site is deeply buried amongst several transmembrane domains.

Abstract - | Full Text - The binding sites for cocaine and dopamine in the dopamine transporter overlap | PDF (687 KB) - The binding sites for cocaine and dopamine in the dopamine transporter overlap | Supplementary information

Direct measurement of somatic voltage clamp errors in central neurons - pp790 - 798

Stephen R Williams & Simon J Mitchell

doi:10.1038/nn.2137

Although the technique of somatic voltage clamp is widely used, computational models have predicted that this controls voltage in the dendritic tree poorly. Williams and Mitchell directly quantify this error using simultaneous recordings from the soma and apical dendrites of rat neocortical pyramidal neurons. Spruston and Johnston also highlight this in an associated news and views.

Abstract - | Full Text - Direct measurement of somatic voltage clamp errors in central neurons | PDF (590 KB) - Direct measurement of somatic voltage clamp errors in central neurons | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Spruston & Johnston

Evolutionary expansion and anatomical specialization of synapse proteome complexity - pp799 - 806

Richard D Emes, Andrew J Pocklington, Christopher N G Anderson, Alex Bayes, Mark O Collins, Catherine A Vickers, Mike D R Croning, Bilal R Malik, Jyoti S Choudhary, J Douglas Armstrong & Seth G N Grant

doi:10.1038/nn.2135

Grant and colleagues used comparative proteomics and genomics to examine the evolution of the postsynaptic density and MAGUK-associated signaling complexes implicated in learning and memory. They found conservation of synaptic components amidst diverse species, but also found species-specific adaptation and increased signaling complexity in vertebrates.

Abstract - | Full Text - Evolutionary expansion and anatomical specialization of synapse proteome complexity | PDF (322 KB) - Evolutionary expansion and anatomical specialization of synapse proteome complexity | Supplementary information

Rapid and modifiable neurotransmitter receptor dynamics at a neuronal synapse in vivo - pp807 - 815

Corey M McCann, Juan Carlos Tapia, Han Kim, Jay S Coggan & Jeff W Lichtman

doi:10.1038/nn.2145

In vivo, synaptic receptor densities were maintained over minutes by a rapid exchange with nonsynaptic receptor pools and over hours through turnover. These changes and receptor dynamics may represent the initial phases of synaptic efficacy modulation before eventual structural modification involving spine growth or retraction.

Abstract - | Full Text - Rapid and modifiable neurotransmitter receptor dynamics at a neuronal synapse in vivo | PDF (1,422 KB) - Rapid and modifiable neurotransmitter receptor dynamics at a neuronal synapse in vivo | Supplementary information

Seizure termination by acidosis depends on ASIC1a - pp816 - 822

Adam E Ziemann, Mikael K Schnizler, Gregory W Albert, Meryl A Severson, Matthew A Howard III, Michael J Welsh & John A Wemmie

doi:10.1038/nn.2132

Acidosis can stop seizures, but it is unclear how it does this. This study demonstrates that the acid-sensing channel ASIC1a is required for either spontaneous or CO₂-induced termination of convulsant-induced seizures in mice. Moreover, ASIC1a strongly activates inhibitory interneurons under acidotic conditions, which may explain the effect.

Abstract - | Full Text - Seizure termination by acidosis depends on ASIC1a | PDF (428 KB) - Seizure termination by acidosis depends on ASIC1a

Behavior-dependent short-term assembly dynamics in the medial prefrontal cortex - pp823 - 833

Shigeyoshi Fujisawa, Asohan Amarasingham, Matthew T Harrison & György Buzsáki

doi:10.1038/nn.2134

Fujisawa and colleagues report that during a working memory task, firing patterns in ensembles of rat medial prefrontal cortex neurons reflect behavioral outcomes on coarser time scales and short-term synaptic plasticity on finer time scales. These results suggest that short-term plasticity plays a role in the neural computations guiding behavior.

Abstract - | Full Text - Behavior-dependent short-term assembly dynamics in the medial prefrontal cortex | PDF (1,268 KB) - Behavior-dependent short-term assembly dynamics in the medial prefrontal cortex | Supplementary information

A disproportionate role for the fornix and mammillary bodies in recall versus recognition memory - pp834 - 842

Dimitris Tsivilis, Seralynne D Vann, Christine Denby, Neil Roberts, Andrew R Mayes, Daniela Montaldi & John P Aggleton

doi:10.1038/nn.2149

The fornix is the major fiber tract connecting the medial temporal lobe and the medial diencephalon. This structural imaging study of individuals with fornix atropy finds that the fornix is important for recall, but not recognition, consistent with the idea that hippocampal inputs are selectively important for recall, rather than recognition.

Abstract - | Full Text - A disproportionate role for the fornix and mammillary bodies in recall versus recognition memory | PDF (329 KB) - A disproportionate role for the fornix and mammillary bodies in recall versus recognition memory | Supplementary information

Expressing fear enhances sensory acquisition - pp843 - 850

Joshua M Susskind, Daniel H Lee, Andrée Cusi, Roman Feiman, Wojtek Grabski & Adam K Anderson

doi:10.1038/nn.2138

This behavioral study finds that when subjects pose expressions of fear, they have a subjectively larger visual field, faster eye movements, and an increase in nasal volume and air velocity during breathing in. Posing expressions of disgust, an expression objectively opposite to fear, produced opposite results. Emotional facial expressions may therefore modify preparedness for perception and action.

Abstract - | Full Text - Expressing fear enhances sensory acquisition | PDF (404 KB) - Expressing fear enhances sensory acquisition | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Whalen & Kleck

Erratum: Cognitive neuroscience: new kids on the block? - p851

Clayton Curtis & Lila Davachi

doi:10.1038/nn0708-851a

Full Text - Erratum: Cognitive neuroscience: new kids on the block? | PDF (60 KB) - Erratum: Cognitive neuroscience: new kids on the block?

Corrigendum: Spiking and nonspiking classes of oligodendrocyte precursor glia in CNS white matter - p851

Ragnhildur Káradóttir, Nicola B Hamilton, Yamina Bakiri & David Attwell

doi:10.1038/nn0708-851b

Full Text - Corrigendum: Spiking and nonspiking classes of oligodendrocyte precursor glia in CNS white matter | PDF (60 KB) - Corrigendum: Spiking and nonspiking classes of oligodendrocyte precursor glia in CNS white matter

Corrigendum: Decision-making with multiple alternatives - p851

Anne K Churchland, Roozbeh Kiani & Michael N Shadlen

doi:10.1038/nn0708-851c

Full Text - Corrigendum: Decision-making with multiple alternatives | PDF (60 KB) - Corrigendum: Decision-making with multiple alternatives