Getting the word out - p235

doi:10.1038/nn0309-235

Scientists should have a more active role in encouraging meaningful reporting of science in the popular media. This is all the more crucial given that there are now fewer experienced science reporters and a greater demand for transparency.

Full Text - Getting the word out | PDF (207 KB) - Getting the word out

The Lonely Brain - p237

Jordan Grafman & Frank Krueger review Loneliness by John T Cacioppo & William Patrick

doi:10.1038/nn0309-237

Full Text - The Lonely Brain | PDF (125 KB) - The Lonely Brain

Rett syndrome: what do we know for sure? - pp239 - 240

Huda Y Zoghbi

doi:10.1038/nn0309-239

Rett syndrome (RTT) is caused by mutations in the X-linked gene encoding methyl CpG–binding protein (MeCP2). The loss of MeCP2 function in neurons was thought to cause the disease. A study now challenges this assumption by showing that MeCP2 is expressed in glia and that MeCP2 loss in glia causes abnormalities in neighboring neurons.

Full Text - Rett syndrome: what do we know for sure? | PDF (1,343 KB) - Rett syndrome: what do we know for sure?

See also: Article by Ballas et al.

How adversity gets under the skin - pp241 - 243

Steven E Hyman

doi:10.1038/nn0309-241

Rat models implicate epigenetic regulation of hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor expression in mediating the effects of early life experience on adult behavior. A report now suggests that the same mechanism might also be at work in humans.

Full Text - How adversity gets under the skin | PDF (751 KB) - How adversity gets under the skin

See also: Article by McGowan et al.

Notch keeps ependymal cells in line - pp243 - 245

Chunmei Zhao, Hoonkyo Suh & Fred H Gage

doi:10.1038/nn0309-243

The ependymal cells lining the lateral ventricles are not stem cells, but a study now shows that they can be activated to generate neuroblasts in a stroke model, and mature olfactory bulb neurons when Notch signaling is disrupted.

Full Text - Notch keeps ependymal cells in line | PDF (568 KB) - Notch keeps ependymal cells in line

See also: Article by Carlén et al.

I can see what you see - p245

Kendrick N Kay & Jack L Gallant

doi:10.1038/nn0309-245

Previous studies have attempted to decode functional imaging data to infer the perceptual state of an observer, but the level of detail has been limited. A new decoding study reconstructs accurate pictures of what an observer has seen.

Full Text - I can see what you see | PDF (323 KB) - I can see what you see

Stress and addiction: glucocorticoid receptor in dopaminoceptive neurons facilitates cocaine seeking - pp247 - 249

Frédéric Ambroggi, Marc Turiault, Aude Milet, Véronique Deroche-Gamonet, Sébastien Parnaudeau, Eric Balado, Jacques Barik, Rixt van der Veen, Grégoire Maroteaux, Thomas Lemberger, Günther Schütz, Monique Lazar, Michela Marinelli, Pier Vincenzo Piazza & François Tronche

doi:10.1038/nn.2282

The glucocorticoid receptor is a transcription factor that mediates adaptation to stress. The authors show that selective glucocorticoid receptor deletion in postsynaptic dopamine receptor 1a–expressing neurons, but not in presynaptic neurons that release dopamine, decreases the motivation of mice to self-administer cocaine.

Abstract - | Full Text - Stress and addiction: glucocorticoid receptor in dopaminoceptive neurons facilitates cocaine seeking | PDF (345 KB) - Stress and addiction: glucocorticoid receptor in dopaminoceptive neurons facilitates cocaine seeking | Supplementary information

Reinforcement learning in populations of spiking neurons - pp250 - 252

Robert Urbanczik & Walter Senn

doi:10.1038/nn.2264

Many population coding models of reinforcement learning assign a single global reward signal to the entire population. As the population size increases, however, this reward signal is less and less related to the performance of a single neuron, slowing down learning. This computational modeling study shows that an additional population response term modifying synaptic plasticity speeds up learning.

Abstract - | Full Text - Reinforcement learning in populations of spiking neurons | PDF (163 KB) - Reinforcement learning in populations of spiking neurons | Supplementary information

The precision of remote context memories does not require the hippocampus - pp253 - 255

Szu-Han Wang, Cátia M Teixeira, Anne L Wheeler & Paul W Frankland

doi:10.1038/nn.2263

One of the ongoing debates in memory research is whether the fidelity of remote memory, as it matures, requires the hippocampus. Using a contextual discrimination procedure that can test memory precision over time, this paper reveals that the hippocampus is not essential in the precise maintenance of remote memory.

Abstract - | Full Text - The precision of remote context memories does not require the hippocampus | PDF (222 KB) - The precision of remote context memories does not require the hippocampus | Supplementary information

Beyond extinction: erasing human fear responses and preventing the return of fear - pp256 - 258

Merel Kindt, Marieke Soeter & Bram Vervliet

doi:10.1038/nn.2271

Animal studies show that fear memories can change when recalled, a process known as reconsolidation. Here the authors find that administration of propranolol prior to memory reactivation erases the expression of fear memory and prevents its return.

Abstract - | Full Text - Beyond extinction: erasing human fear responses and preventing the return of fear | PDF (160 KB) - Beyond extinction: erasing human fear responses and preventing the return of fear | Supplementary information

Forebrain ependymal cells are Notch-dependent and generate neuroblasts and astrocytes after stroke - pp259 - 267

Marie Carlén, Konstantinos Meletis, Christian Göritz, Vladimer Darsalia, Emma Evergren, Kenji Tanigaki, Mario Amendola, Fanie Barnabé-Heider, Maggie S Y Yeung, Luigi Naldini, Tasuku Honjo, Zaal Kokaia, Oleg Shupliakov, Robert M Cassidy, Olle Lindvall & Jonas Frisén

doi:10.1038/nn.2268

It has been controversial whether the ependymal cells that line cerebral ventricles can generate neurons in the adult brain. This study reports that Notch signaling keeps ependymal cells in their differentiated state under normal circumstances. After an ischemic stroke, however, these cells can de-differentiate and generate both neuroblasts and astrocytes.

Abstract - | Full Text - Forebrain ependymal cells are Notch-dependent and generate neuroblasts and astrocytes after stroke | PDF (1,069 KB) - Forebrain ependymal cells are Notch-dependent and generate neuroblasts and astrocytes after stroke | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Zhao et al.

Ephrin-B3 reverse signaling through Grb4 and cytoskeletal regulators mediates axon pruning - pp268 - 276

Nan-Jie Xu & Mark Henkemeyer

doi:10.1038/nn.2254

A subset of hippocampal mossy fibers initially grow past their targets in the CA3 region and then retract. Here, this axon pruning is shown to require reverse ephrin signaling. Extracellular domains of EphBs stimulate ephrin-B3 on mossy axons to trigger pruning. The downstream intracellular signaling pathway includes the adaptor Grb4, the kinase Pak1 and the cytoskeletal regulator Rac.

Abstract - | Full Text - Ephrin-B3 reverse signaling through Grb4 and cytoskeletal regulators mediates axon pruning | PDF (979 KB) - Ephrin-B3 reverse signaling through Grb4 and cytoskeletal regulators mediates axon pruning | Supplementary information

Selective regulation of long-form calcium-permeable AMPA receptors by an atypical TARP, -5 - pp277 - 285

David Soto, Ian D Coombs, Massimiliano Renzi, Marzieh Zonouzi, Mark Farrant & Stuart G Cull-Candy

doi:10.1038/nn.2266

TARPs, which are associated with AMPA-type glutamate receptors and which regulate their properties and trafficking, have not been shown to specifically regulate calcium-permeable AMPARs. In this study, the authors report that the stargazin-related protein g-5, which is expressed in Bergmann glia, preferentially regulates calcium-permeable AMPARs.

Abstract - | Full Text - Selective regulation of long-form calcium-permeable AMPA receptors by an atypical TARP, -5 | PDF (623 KB) - Selective regulation of long-form calcium-permeable AMPA receptors by an atypical TARP, -5 | Supplementary information

Slow glycinergic transmission mediated by transmitter pooling - pp286 - 294

Veeramuthu Balakrishnan, Sidney P Kuo, Patrick D Roberts & Laurence O Trussell

doi:10.1038/nn.2265

Fast-acting neurotransmitters are usually cleared quickly from synaptic regions, making the time course of synaptic responses independent of active sites. The authors describe an exception to this rule at glycinergic synapses on granule cells of the dorsal cochlear nucleus.

Abstract - | Full Text - Slow glycinergic transmission mediated by transmitter pooling | PDF (1,768 KB) - Slow glycinergic transmission mediated by transmitter pooling | Supplementary information

Intra-retinal visual cycle required for rapid and complete cone dark adaptation - pp295 - 302

Jin-Shan Wang, Maureen E Estevez, M Carter Cornwall & Vladimir J Kefalov

doi:10.1038/nn.2258

Bright light vision requires rapid regeneration of the photosensitive chromophore in cone photoreceptors. This study demonstrates that such rapid regeneration is accomplished via a pathway that resides in retinal Müller glia, with the final step being performed in the cones themselves.

Abstract - | Full Text - Intra-retinal visual cycle required for rapid and complete cone dark adaptation | PDF (568 KB) - Intra-retinal visual cycle required for rapid and complete cone dark adaptation | Supplementary information

Role of the synaptic ribbon in transmitting the cone light response - pp303 - 310

Skyler L Jackman, Sue-Yeon Choi, Wallace B Thoreson, Katalin Rabl, Theodore M Bartoletti & Richard H Kramer

doi:10.1038/nn.2267

Cones generate a finely graded voltage signal over a range of light intensities that must be translated into quantal neurotransmitter release at the synapse. Here the authors track synaptic vesicle dynamics in darkness and in light, suggesting that vesicle depletion and resupply mediate the dynamic range of cone synapses.

Abstract - | Full Text - Role of the synaptic ribbon in transmitting the cone light response | PDF (678 KB) - Role of the synaptic ribbon in transmitting the cone light response | Supplementary information

Non–cell autonomous influence of MeCP2-deficient glia on neuronal dendritic morphology - pp311 - 317

Nurit Ballas, Daniel T Lioy, Christopher Grunseich & Gail Mandel

doi:10.1038/nn.2275

The neurodevelopmental disorder Rett Syndrome (RTT) is caused by sporadic mutations in the transcriptional factor methyl CpG–binding protein 2 (MeCP2). The authors show that the loss of MeCP2 also occurs in glial cells in RTT brains. Moreover, in an in vitro coculture system, mutant astrocytes from a RTT mouse model affect the dendritic morphology of both RTT mutant and wild-type hippocampal neurons. This suggests that astrocytes may have a non–cell autonomous effect on neuronal properties in RTT.

Abstract - | Full Text - Non–cell autonomous influence of MeCP2-deficient glia on neuronal dendritic morphology | PDF (497 KB) - Non–cell autonomous influence of MeCP2-deficient glia on neuronal dendritic morphology | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Zoghbi

Spike frequency adaptation mediates looming stimulus selectivity in a collision-detecting neuron - pp318 - 326

Simon Peron & Fabrizio Gabbiani

doi:10.1038/nn.2259

Studying the mechanisms by which spike frequency adaptation shapes visual stimulus selectivity in the lobula giant movement detector interneuron of the locust visual system, the authors find that spike frequency adaptation selectively decreases this neuron's responses to nonpreferred stimuli.

Abstract - | Full Text - Spike frequency adaptation mediates looming stimulus selectivity in a collision-detecting neuron | PDF (1,476 KB) - Spike frequency adaptation mediates looming stimulus selectivity in a collision-detecting neuron | Supplementary information

Different receptive fields in axons and dendrites underlie robust coding in motion-sensitive neurons - pp327 - 332

Yishai M Elyada, Juergen Haag & Alexander Borst

doi:10.1038/nn.2269

Neurons in the blowfly vertical system integrate wild-field motion from an array of local motion detectors. Using calcium imaging and compartmental modeling, the authors demonstrate that these cells have two distinct receptive fields: a narrow dendritic field corresponding to feedforward input and an axon-terminal receptive field that incorporates input from neighboring cells via lateral axo-axonal gap junctions.

Abstract - | Full Text - Different receptive fields in axons and dendrites underlie robust coding in motion-sensitive neurons | PDF (1,422 KB) - Different receptive fields in axons and dendrites underlie robust coding in motion-sensitive neurons | Supplementary information

Dynamic reorganization of striatal circuits during the acquisition and consolidation of a skill - pp333 - 341

Henry H Yin, Shweta Prasad Mulcare, Monica R F Hilário, Emily Clouse, Terrell Holloway, Margaret I Davis, Anita C Hansson, David M Lovinger & Rui M Costa

doi:10.1038/nn.2261

The authors use in vivo striatal recordings to study region-specific changes in activity during the different phases of skill learning. The dorsomedial striatum is preferentially engaged early in training and the dorsolateral striatum is engaged later in training.

Abstract - | Full Text - Dynamic reorganization of striatal circuits during the acquisition and consolidation of a skill | PDF (728 KB) - Dynamic reorganization of striatal circuits during the acquisition and consolidation of a skill | Supplementary information

Epigenetic regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor in human brain associates with childhood abuse - pp342 - 348

Patrick O McGowan, Aya Sasaki, Ana C D'Alessio, Sergiy Dymov, Benoit Labonté, Moshe Szyf, Gustavo Turecki & Michael J Meaney

doi:10.1038/nn.2270

Childhood abuse or neglect alters the hormonal stress response and increases the risk for suicide. Analysis of hippocampal samples from human suicide victims with a history of child abuse indicated changes in the expression of the NC3R1 gene that did not occur in suicide victims with no childhood abuse or in people who died of other causes.

Abstract - | Full Text - Epigenetic regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor in human brain associates with childhood abuse | PDF (304 KB) - Epigenetic regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor in human brain associates with childhood abuse | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Hyman

An electrophysiological signature of unconscious recognition memory - pp349 - 355

Joel L Voss & Ken A Paller

doi:10.1038/nn.2260

Explicit memory is linked to conscious awareness of memory retrieval, whereas implicit memory can guide behavior without conscious awareness of memory retrieval. Here, the authors demonstrate recognition memory without awareness of the retrieval. ERP measures differentiated between implicit and explicit recognition.

Abstract - | Full Text - An electrophysiological signature of unconscious recognition memory | PDF (433 KB) - An electrophysiological signature of unconscious recognition memory | Supplementary information

An anatomic gene expression atlas of the adult mouse brain - pp356 - 362

Lydia Ng, Amy Bernard, Chris Lau, Caroline C Overly, Hong-Wei Dong, Chihchau Kuan, Sayan Pathak, Susan M Sunkin, Chinh Dang, Jason W Bohland, Hemant Bokil, Partha P Mitra, Luis Puelles, John Hohmann, David J Anderson, Ed S Lein, Allan R Jones & Michael Hawrylycz

doi:10.1038/nn.2281

This resource article describes a bioinformatical tool that, accessing an extensive gene expression database, allows the definition and identification of new brain structures based on gene expression patterns.

Abstract - | Full Text - An anatomic gene expression atlas of the adult mouse brain | PDF (931 KB) - An anatomic gene expression atlas of the adult mouse brain | Supplementary information