Credibility crisis in pediatric psychiatry - p983

doi:10.1038/nn0908-983

Our understanding of the neurobiology and treatment of psychiatric illness in children remains poor. Prominent psychiatrists have now been accused of concealing the extent of their financial ties to the drug industry. We urgently need to encourage more science in this area and we need vigorous regulation to restore some neutrality to the field.

Full Text - Credibility crisis in pediatric psychiatry | PDF (133 KB) - Credibility crisis in pediatric psychiatry

The injured brain - p985

Masud Husain reviews Head Cases by Michael Paul Mason

doi:10.1038/nn0908-985

Full Text - The injured brain | PDF (108 KB) - The injured brain

Epigenetic control of myelin repair - pp987 - 988

Brian Popko

doi:10.1038/nn0908-987

Although the CNS has a robust innate ability to repair demyelinated axons, this capacity appears to dissipate with age. A study in this issue suggests that epigenetic processes participate in myelin repair and that the epigenetic response is less dynamic in older individuals.

Full Text - Epigenetic control of myelin repair | PDF (329 KB) - Epigenetic control of myelin repair

See also: Article by Shen et al.

Octopamine fuels fighting flies - pp989 - 990

Christopher J Potter & Liqun Luo

doi:10.1038/nn0908-989

The neural basis of aggression is poorly understood. A study in this issue used genetic scalpels to dissect the circuitry of the fly brain and identified a small cluster of octopaminergic neurons that can make a fly fighting mad.

Full Text - Octopamine fuels fighting flies | PDF (549 KB) - Octopamine fuels fighting flies

See also: Article by Zhou et al.

Finding coherence in spontaneous oscillations - pp991 - 993

Patrick J Drew, Jeff H Duyn, Eugene Golanov & David Kleinfeld

doi:10.1038/nn0908-991

Spontaneous ultra-slow oscillations in brain signals are ubiquitous, although their source and function remain unknown. A new study now reports that this activity is correlated between functionally related areas across hemispheres in humans.

Full Text - Finding coherence in spontaneous oscillations | PDF (699 KB) - Finding coherence in spontaneous oscillations

See also: Article by Nir et al.

Rhythms of memory - pp993 - 994

Tania L Roth & J David Sweatt

doi:10.1038/nn0908-993

Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) are critical for the formation of stable long-term memories. New work shows that circadian MAPK activity cycling is important in the formation of new hippocampus-dependent memories.

Full Text - Rhythms of memory | PDF (265 KB) - Rhythms of memory

See also: Article by Eckel-Mahan et al.

Pubertal hormones modulate the addition of new cells to sexually dimorphic brain regions - pp995 - 997

Eman I Ahmed, Julia L Zehr, Kalynn M Schulz, Betty H Lorenz, Lydia L DonCarlos & Cheryl L Sisk

doi:10.1038/nn.2178

Structural sexual dimorphism in the developing nervous system can lead to functional differences in physiology and behavior. Postnatal, gender-based differences in cell number were presumed to be passively maintained, but here, Ahmed et al. reveal an active mechanism modulated by sex hormones that maintains different numbers of cells in sexually dimorphic brain areas.

Abstract - | Full Text - Pubertal hormones modulate the addition of new cells to sexually dimorphic brain regions | PDF (265 KB) - Pubertal hormones modulate the addition of new cells to sexually dimorphic brain regions | Supplementary information

Synaptic release of GABA by AgRP neurons is required for normal regulation of energy balance - pp998 - 1000

Qingchun Tong, Chian-Ping Ye, Juli E Jones, Joel K Elmquist & Bradford B Lowell

doi:10.1038/nn.2167

Neurons expressing Agouti-related protein (AgRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the hypothalamus are involved in regulation of feeding and body weight, but genetic disruption of AgRP and NPY have little effect on energy homeostasis. A new study from Tong et al. shows that the energy homeostasis function is mediated through their GABAergic transmission.

Abstract - | Full Text - Synaptic release of GABA by AgRP neurons is required for normal regulation of energy balance | PDF (199 KB) - Synaptic release of GABA by AgRP neurons is required for normal regulation of energy balance | Supplementary information

Serotonergic transcriptional programming determines maternal behavior and offspring survival - pp1001 - 1003

Jessica K Lerch-Haner, Dargan Frierson, LaTasha K Crawford, Sheryl G Beck & Evan S Deneris

doi:10.1038/nn.2176

The central serotonergic system is an important modulator of neural circuitry that regulates behavior and emotion state of an animal. Current study from Lerch-Haner et al. shows that mutant female mice with defective serotonergic neurons exhibit gross maternal neglect resulting in offspring death, and that this defect can be rescued by expression of a homologous gene from human.

Abstract - | Full Text - Serotonergic transcriptional programming determines maternal behavior and offspring survival | PDF (181 KB) - Serotonergic transcriptional programming determines maternal behavior and offspring survival | Supplementary information

Neural repetition suppression reflects fulfilled perceptual expectations - pp1004 - 1006

Christopher Summerfield, Emily H Trittschuh, Jim M Monti, M-Marsel Mesulam & Tobias Egner

doi:10.1038/nn.2163

Repetition suppression, the reduction in neural activity with repeated stimuli, is usually thought to be a result of automatic sensory processes. This study instead finds that this reduction results from high stimulus predictability, a more 'top-down' process.

Abstract - | Full Text - Neural repetition suppression reflects fulfilled perceptual expectations | PDF (197 KB) - Neural repetition suppression reflects fulfilled perceptual expectations | Supplementary information

Pore region of TRPV3 ion channel is specifically required for heat activation - pp1007 - 1013

Jörg Grandl, Hongzhen Hu, Michael Bandell, Badry Bursulaya, Manuela Schmidt, Matt Petrus & Ardem Patapoutian

doi:10.1038/nn.2169

Although certain ion channels can be gated by temperature, it is currently unknown how this occurs. Here, the authors identify regions of TRPV3 that are critical for heat sensation, yet independent of other channel gating mechanisms.

Abstract - | Full Text - Pore region of TRPV3 ion channel is specifically required for heat activation | PDF (729 KB) - Pore region of TRPV3 ion channel is specifically required for heat activation | Supplementary information

Requirement for COUP-TFI and II in the temporal specification of neural stem cells in CNS development - pp1014 - 1023

Hayato Naka, Shiho Nakamura, Takuya Shimazaki & Hideyuki Okano

doi:10.1038/nn.2168

The developing brain generates neurons first and glia later. This study shows that the two COUP-TF transcription factors are essential for the transition from neurogenesis to gliogenesis. COUP-TFI/II in this context appear to function as transcriptional repressors.

Abstract - | Full Text - Requirement for COUP-TFI and II in the temporal specification of neural stem cells in CNS development | PDF (925 KB) - Requirement for COUP-TFI and II in the temporal specification of neural stem cells in CNS development | Supplementary information

Age-dependent epigenetic control of differentiation inhibitors is critical for remyelination efficiency - pp1024 - 1034

Siming Shen, Juan Sandoval, Victoria A Swiss, Jiadong Li, Jeff Dupree, Robin J M Franklin & Patrizia Casaccia-Bonnefil

doi:10.1038/nn.2172

With aging comes a decline in remyelination efficiency, but it is currently unknown why this occurs. In this study, the authors reveal an age-dependent epigenetic mechanism that modulates the levels of oligodendrocyte differentiation inhibitors and dictates the extent of remyelination.

Abstract - | Full Text - Age-dependent epigenetic control of differentiation inhibitors is critical for remyelination efficiency | PDF (1,045 KB) - Age-dependent epigenetic control of differentiation inhibitors is critical for remyelination efficiency | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Popko

Serine phosphorylation of ephrinB2 regulates trafficking of synaptic AMPA receptors - pp1035 - 1043

Clara L Essmann, Elsa Martinez, Julia C Geiger, Manuel Zimmer, Matthias H Traut, Valentin Stein, Rüdiger Klein & Amparo Acker-Palmer

doi:10.1038/nn.2171

The shuttling of AMPA receptors to and from the synaptic membrane determines the strength of synaptic transmission. This study shows that ephrinB2 is part of the mechanism that stabilizes AMPA receptors at the synaptic surface. EphrinB2 and AMPA receptors are linked by two PDZ domains in the intracellular adaptor protein GRIP.

Abstract - | Full Text - Serine phosphorylation of ephrinB2 regulates trafficking of synaptic AMPA receptors | PDF (849 KB) - Serine phosphorylation of ephrinB2 regulates trafficking of synaptic AMPA receptors | Supplementary information

GABAergic synapses are formed without the involvement of dendritic protrusions - pp1044 - 1052

Corette J Wierenga, Nadine Becker & Tobias Bonhoeffer

doi:10.1038/nn.2180

Dendritic protrusions have a major role in the production of glutamatergic synapses. Much less is known regarding the development of GABAergic connections. This study examined contact formation between GABAergic axons and their targets, revealing that new putative GABAergic terminals were produced through the appearance of new boutons at pre-exisiting axon/dendrite crossing points, without the participation of dendritic or axonal protrusions.

Abstract - | Full Text - GABAergic synapses are formed without the involvement of dendritic protrusions | PDF (815 KB) - GABAergic synapses are formed without the involvement of dendritic protrusions | Supplementary information

Prefrontal cortex AMPA receptor plasticity is crucial for cue-induced relapse to heroin-seeking - pp1053 - 1058

Michel C Van den Oever, Natalia A Goriounova, Ka Wan Li, Roel C Van der Schors, Rob Binnekade, Anton N M Schoffelmeer, Huibert D Mansvelder, August B Smit, Sabine Spijker & Taco J De Vries

doi:10.1038/nn.2165

This study demonstrates that relapse in heroin-addicted rats requires endocytosis of the AMPA receptor subunit GluR2 in the medial prefrontal cortex. When endocytosis was inhibited in this specific brain structure, the addicted, but abstinent, rats were less intent on seeking heroin when re-exposed to drug-associated cues.

Abstract - | Full Text - Prefrontal cortex AMPA receptor plasticity is crucial for cue-induced relapse to heroin-seeking | PDF (277 KB) - Prefrontal cortex AMPA receptor plasticity is crucial for cue-induced relapse to heroin-seeking | Supplementary information

A subset of octopaminergic neurons are important for Drosophila aggression - pp1059 - 1067

Chuan Zhou, Yong Rao & Yi Rao

doi:10.1038/nn.2164

Invertebrates engage in complex aggressive behaviors that involve several neurotransmitters. The circuitry that regulates aggression is unknown. Zhou et al. show here that aggression in male fruit flies correlates with levels of octopamine and that a small group of octopaminergic neurons in the subesophageal is crucial for aggressive behaviors.

Abstract - | Full Text - A subset of octopaminergic neurons are important for Drosophila aggression | PDF (363 KB) - A subset of octopaminergic neurons are important for Drosophila aggression | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Potter & Luo

The acute light-induction of sleep is mediated by OPN4-based photoreception - pp1068 - 1073

Daniela Lupi, Henrik Oster, Stewart Thompson & Russell G Foster

doi:10.1038/nn.2179

Ambient light can acutely modulate sleep and can be detected by the retina independently of photoreceptors. A new study from Foster and colleagues shows that photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, with their activation of sleep-promoting centers, mediate this irradiance-dependent sleep induction.

Abstract - | Full Text - The acute light-induction of sleep is mediated by OPN4-based photoreception | PDF (460 KB) - The acute light-induction of sleep is mediated by OPN4-based photoreception | Supplementary information

Circadian oscillation of hippocampal MAPK activity and cAMP: implications for memory persistence - pp1074 - 1082

Kristin L Eckel-Mahan, Trongha Phan, Sung Han, Hongbing Wang, Guy C-K Chan, Zachary S Scheiner & Daniel R Storm

doi:10.1038/nn.2174

Several signaling pathways have been previously implicated in memory persistence, but new data suggests that circadian oscillations of cAMP production and protein phosphorylation in the hippocampus are important for the reactivation of a transcriptional pathway and memory consolidation.

Abstract - | Full Text - Circadian oscillation of hippocampal MAPK activity and cAMP: implications for memory persistence | PDF (371 KB) - Circadian oscillation of hippocampal MAPK activity and cAMP: implications for memory persistence | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Roth & Sweatt

Emergence of binocular functional properties in a monocular neural circuit - pp1083 - 1090

Pavan Ramdya & Florian Engert

doi:10.1038/nn.2166

To better understand the development of the binocular circuit and the nature of visual information processing, Ramdya and Engert examine the neuronal activity of zebrafish optic tectum when it was rewired to receive inputs from both eyes.

Abstract - | Full Text - Emergence of binocular functional properties in a monocular neural circuit | PDF (519 KB) - Emergence of binocular functional properties in a monocular neural circuit | Supplementary information

Psychophysical and neurometric detection performance under stimulus uncertainty - pp1091 - 1099

Maik C Stüttgen & Cornelius Schwarz

doi:10.1038/nn.2162

The response of some cortical neurons seems to exceed psychophysical sensitivity. Recording in rat barrel cortex, this study finds that neuronal sensitivity is degraded under more life-like conditions of stimulus uncertainity. However, pooled spike-timing information from the most sensitive neurons still correlates with subjects' psychophysical sensitivity.

Abstract - | Full Text - Psychophysical and neurometric detection performance under stimulus uncertainty | PDF (491 KB) - Psychophysical and neurometric detection performance under stimulus uncertainty

Interhemispheric correlations of slow spontaneous neuronal fluctuations revealed in human sensory cortex - pp1100 - 1108

Yuval Nir, Roy Mukamel, Ilan Dinstein, Eran Privman, Michal Harel, Lior Fisch, Hagar Gelbard-Sagiv, Svetlana Kipervasser, Fani Andelman, Miri Y Neufeld, Uri Kramer, Amos Arieli, Itzhak Fried & Rafael Malach

doi:10.1038/nn.2177

Spontaneous cortical waves have been widely observed, although previous evidence from humans has been indirect, using functional magnetic resonance imaging. This study reports that there are slow modulations in neuronal firing rates and gamma local field potentials in human auditory cortex in the absence of sensory stimuli or task.

Abstract - | Full Text - Interhemispheric correlations of slow spontaneous neuronal fluctuations revealed in human sensory cortex | PDF (638 KB) - Interhemispheric correlations of slow spontaneous neuronal fluctuations revealed in human sensory cortex | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Drew et al.

Action anticipation and motor resonance in elite basketball players - pp1109 - 1116

Salvatore M Aglioti, Paola Cesari, Michela Romani & Cosimo Urgesi

doi:10.1038/nn.2182

Using a combination of behavioral measures and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), this study finds that elite basketball players are better at predicting whether a free basketball throw will land in the basket or out and that they also have higher TMS-evoked motor potentials for when the ball misses its mark.

Abstract - | Full Text - Action anticipation and motor resonance in elite basketball players | PDF (541 KB) - Action anticipation and motor resonance in elite basketball players | Supplementary information