Making the most of reviewer resources - p363

doi:10.1038/nn0409-363

In 2008, Nature Neuroscience joined a community consortium aimed at making peer review more efficient by allowing reviews to be transferred between consortium journals. We look back at our experience with the Neuroscience Peer Review Consortium over the last year.

Full Text - Making the most of reviewer resources | PDF (225 KB) - Making the most of reviewer resources

First report of action potentials in a C. elegans neuron is premature - pp365 - 366

Shawn R Lockery, Miriam B Goodman & Serge Faumont

doi:10.1038/nn0409-365

Full Text - First report of action potentials in a C. elegans neuron is premature | PDF (1,072 KB) - First report of action potentials in a C. elegans neuron is premature

Reply to "First report of action potentials in a C. elegans neuron is premature" - p366

Jerry E Mellem, Penelope J Brockie, David M Madsen & Andres V Maricq

doi:10.1038/nn0409-366

Full Text - Reply to "First report of action potentials in a C. elegans neuron is premature" | PDF (84 KB) - Reply to "First report of action potentials in a C. elegans neuron is premature"

Memory and reality - p367

Daniel L Schacter & Brendan Gaesser review The Confabulating Mind: How the Brain Creates Reality by Armin Schnider

doi:10.1038/nn0409-367

Full Text - Memory and reality | PDF (137 KB) - Memory and reality

Fine control: microRNA regulation of adult neurogenesis - pp369 - 370

Qin Shen & Sally Temple

doi:10.1038/nn0409-369

Neural stem cells transition through several progenitor stages before finally generating postmitotic neurons. New work shows that one of these steps, the generation of neuroblasts from transient amplifying precursors in the adult subventricular zone, requires downregulation of the transcription factor Sox9 by the microRNA miR-124.

Full Text - Fine control: microRNA regulation of adult neurogenesis | PDF (503 KB) - Fine control: microRNA regulation of adult neurogenesis

See also: Article by Cheng et al.

Proteoglycans specify Sonic Hedgehog effect - pp371 - 372

Catherine Vaillant & Denis Monard

doi:10.1038/nn0409-371

How can the multifunctional factor Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) elicit specific responses from its target cells? A study now pinpoints proteoglycans as crucial anchors and modulators of SHH signaling, eliciting a proliferation response.

Full Text - Proteoglycans specify Sonic Hedgehog effect | PDF (386 KB) - Proteoglycans specify Sonic Hedgehog effect

See also: Article by Chan et al.

Neuronal communication: a detailed balancing act - pp372 - 374

Emilio Salinas

doi:10.1038/nn0409-372

What controls the functional connections between sending and receiving neurons? A new model suggests that each receiver circuit has a local switch that is controlled by the balance between excitation and inhibition.

Full Text - Neuronal communication: a detailed balancing act | PDF (1,425 KB) - Neuronal communication: a detailed balancing act

See also: Article by Vogels & Abbott

It's not you, it's me. Really. - pp374 - 375

Garrett B Stanley

doi:10.1038/nn0409-374

A subset of neurons in rat barrel cortex integrate information about the object a whisker contacts with the motion of the whisker at the time of contact, setting the stage for a highly specialized object localization system.

Full Text - It's not you, it's me. Really. | PDF (232 KB) - It's not you, it's me. Really.

See also: Article by Curtis & Kleinfeld

The quest for action potentials in C. elegans neurons hits a plateau - pp377 - 378

Shawn R Lockery & Miriam B Goodman

doi:10.1038/nn0409-377

The small size and high resistance of C. elegans neurons makes them sensitive to the random opening of single ion channels, probably rendering codes that are based on classical, all-or-none action potentials unworkable. The recent discovery in C. elegans of a special class of regenerative events known as plateau potentials introduces the possibility of digital neural codes. Such codes would solve the problem of representing information in nervous systems in which action potentials are unreliable.

Full Text - The quest for action potentials in C. elegans neurons hits a plateau | PDF (217 KB) - The quest for action potentials in C. elegans neurons hits a plateau

Endoplasmic reticulum stress in disorders of myelinating cells - pp379 - 385

Wensheng Lin & Brian Popko

doi:10.1038/nn.2273

Recent work suggests that endoplasmic reticulum stress in myelinating cells is important in the pathogenesis of various disorders of myelin, including multiple sclerosis. In this review, Lin and Popko review our current understanding of the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in myelinating cells.

Abstract - | Full Text - Endoplasmic reticulum stress in disorders of myelinating cells | PDF (373 KB) - Endoplasmic reticulum stress in disorders of myelinating cells

A dual leucine kinase–dependent axon self-destruction program promotes Wallerian degeneration - pp387 - 389

Bradley R Miller, Craig Press, Richard W Daniels, Yo Sasaki, Jeffrey Milbrandt & Aaron DiAntonio

doi:10.1038/nn.2290

Axon degeneration is an active process. Miller and colleagues show in fly and mouse models that axon degeneration requires the kinase DLK and its downstream target JNK to proceed.

Abstract - | Full Text - A dual leucine kinase–dependent axon self-destruction program promotes Wallerian degeneration | PDF (437 KB) - A dual leucine kinase–dependent axon self-destruction program promotes Wallerian degeneration | Supplementary information

Thalamic activity that drives visual cortical plasticity - pp390 - 392

Monica L Linden, Arnold J Heynen, Robert H Haslinger & Mark F Bear

doi:10.1038/nn.2284

To understand how monocular eyelid closure and retinal inactivation can affect cortical ocular dominance, Linden et al. examined the firing activity of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. They report that the firing pattern, but not the firing rate, is differentially affected by manipulations of retinal activity.

Abstract - | Full Text - Thalamic activity that drives visual cortical plasticity | PDF (246 KB) - Thalamic activity that drives visual cortical plasticity | Supplementary information

D₂R striatopallidal neurons inhibit both locomotor and drug reward processes - pp393 - 395

Pierre F Durieux, Bertrand Bearzatto, Stefania Guiducci, Thorsten Buch, Ari Waisman, Michele Zoli, Serge N Schiffmann & Alban de Kerchove d'Exaerde

doi:10.1038/nn.2286

The striatum contains two distinct types of GABAergic neurons, striatonigral and striatopallidal cells. Durieux and colleagues genetically ablated the striatopallidal population in mice, uncovering specific roles for these neurons in the control of locomotion and the response to the addictive drug amphetamine.

Abstract - | Full Text - D2R striatopallidal neurons inhibit both locomotor and drug reward processes | PDF (342 KB) - D2R striatopallidal neurons inhibit both locomotor and drug reward processes | Supplementary information

Pharmacological REM sleep suppression paradoxically improves rather than impairs skill memory - pp396 - 397

Björn Rasch, Julian Pommer, Susanne Diekelmann & Jan Born

doi:10.1038/nn.2206

Previous work suggests that post-learning rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, but this study shows that suppressing REM sleep via serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors instead enhances memory consolidation of a motor skill task.

Abstract - | Full Text - Pharmacological REM sleep suppression paradoxically improves rather than impairs skill memory | PDF (133 KB) - Pharmacological REM sleep suppression paradoxically improves rather than impairs skill memory | Supplementary information

miR-124 regulates adult neurogenesis in the subventricular zone stem cell niche - pp399 - 408

Li-Chun Cheng, Erika Pastrana, Masoud Tavazoie & Fiona Doetsch

doi:10.1038/nn.2294

This study shows that the microRNA miR-124 is required for neuronal differentiation of adult neural progenitors in vitro and in vivo. The transcription factor Sox9 opposes neuronal differentiation and is suppressed by miRNA-124.

Abstract - | Full Text - miR-124 regulates adult neurogenesis in the subventricular zone stem cell niche | PDF (1,286 KB) - miR-124 regulates adult neurogenesis in the subventricular zone stem cell niche | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Shen & Temple

Proteoglycan interactions with Sonic Hedgehog specify mitogenic responses - pp409 - 417

Jennifer A Chan, Srividya Balasubramanian, Rochelle M Witt, Kellie J Nazemi, Yoojin Choi, Maria F Pazyra-Murphy, Carolyn O Walsh, Margaret Thompson & Rosalind A Segal

doi:10.1038/nn.2287

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) functions as both a mitogen and a patterning agent during development. Looking mainly at the developing mouse cerebellum, this study shows that the mitogenic activity, but not the patterning role, requires Shh to interact with proteoglycans.

Abstract - | Full Text - Proteoglycan interactions with Sonic Hedgehog specify mitogenic responses | PDF (625 KB) - Proteoglycan interactions with Sonic Hedgehog specify mitogenic responses | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Vaillant & Monard

Paracrine control of oligodendrocyte differentiation by SRF-directed neuronal gene expression - pp418 - 427

Christine Stritt, Sina Stern, Kai Harting, Thomas Manke, Daniela Sinske, Heinz Schwarz, Martin Vingron, Alfred Nordheim & Bernd Knöll

doi:10.1038/nn.2280

This study shows that the transcription factor SRF, expressed in neurons, crucially affects oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination through a non–cell autonomous mechanism. SRF appears to act, at least in part, by repressing transcription of the paracrine growth factor CTGF. Overexpression of CTGF reduced oligodendrocyte differentiation.

Abstract - | Full Text - Paracrine control of oligodendrocyte differentiation by SRF-directed neuronal gene expression | PDF (1,228 KB) - Paracrine control of oligodendrocyte differentiation by SRF-directed neuronal gene expression | Supplementary information

Trans-synaptic adhesion between NGL-3 and LAR regulates the formation of excitatory synapses - pp428 - 437

Jooyeon Woo, Seok-Kyu Kwon, Seungwon Choi, Seho Kim, Jae-Ran Lee, Anthone W Dunah, Morgan Sheng & Eunjoon Kim

doi:10.1038/nn.2279

Although the receptor tyrosine phosphatase LAR is known to regulate the devolvement of excitatory synapse and to direct proper guidance of axons, the extracellular ligand for its activation has remained unknown. This study identifies postsynaptic netrin G-ligand 3 (NGL-3) as the trans-synaptic adhesion ligand of LAR and demonstrates a bidirectional regulation of excitatory synapse formation by the LAR/NGL-3 interaction.

Abstract - | Full Text - Trans-synaptic adhesion between NGL-3 and LAR regulates the formation of excitatory synapses | PDF (1,413 KB) - Trans-synaptic adhesion between NGL-3 and LAR regulates the formation of excitatory synapses | Supplementary information

Altered chloride homeostasis removes synaptic inhibitory constraint of the stress axis - pp438 - 443

Sarah A Hewitt, Jaclyn I Wamsteeker, Ebba U Kurz & Jaideep S Bains

doi:10.1038/nn.2274

The release of stress hormone from the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is regulated by nearby GABAergic input. This study shows that behavioral stress affects chloride ion homeostasis and thus tapers GABAergic inhibition, thereby suggesting disinhibition of the PVN as a mechanism for stress response initiation.

Abstract - | Full Text - Altered chloride homeostasis removes synaptic inhibitory constraint of the stress axis | PDF (415 KB) - Altered chloride homeostasis removes synaptic inhibitory constraint of the stress axis | Supplementary information

Tuning of synapse number, structure and function in the cochlea - pp444 - 453

Alexander C Meyer, Thomas Frank, Darina Khimich, Gerhard Hoch, Dietmar Riedel, Nikolai M Chapochnikov, Yury M Yarin, Benjamin Harke, Stefan W Hell, Alexander Egner & Tobias Moser

doi:10.1038/nn.2293

In the cochlea, ribbon synapses are used to transmit acoustic information from inner hair cells to spiral ganglion cells. Here the authors find that the properties of these synapses vary along the tonotopic axis, providing a candidate presynaptic mechanism for modulating the dynamics of ganglion cell spiking.

Abstract - | Full Text - Tuning of synapse number, structure and function in the cochlea | PDF (1,090 KB) - Tuning of synapse number, structure and function in the cochlea | Supplementary information

Phosphodiesterase 1C is dispensable for rapid response termination of olfactory sensory neurons - pp454 - 462

Katherine D Cygnar & Haiqing Zhao

doi:10.1038/nn.2289

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in olfactory sensory neuron cilia is thought to be responsible for degrading odor-induced signaling, resulting in rapid response termination. However, disrupting the variety of PDE found only in cilia unexpectedly turns out not to result in a rapid response termination deficit. Only eliminating both cilia-localized and cell body–localized varieties of PDEs resulted in prolonged termination.

Abstract - | Full Text - Phosphodiesterase 1C is dispensable for rapid response termination of olfactory sensory neurons | PDF (558 KB) - Phosphodiesterase 1C is dispensable for rapid response termination of olfactory sensory neurons | Supplementary information

Traveling waves in developing cerebellar cortex mediated by asymmetrical Purkinje cell connectivity - pp463 - 473

Alanna J Watt, Hermann Cuntz, Masahiro Mori, Zoltan Nusser, P Jesper Sjöström & Michael Häusser

doi:10.1038/nn.2285

The authors use patch-clamp recordings and two-photon microscopy to characterize monosynaptic connections between Purkinje cells of the juvenile cerebellum. They then construct a network model that generates traveling waves of activity between connected Purkinje cells and validate their model with observations in juvenile cerebellar cortex.

Abstract - | Full Text - Traveling waves in developing cerebellar cortex mediated by asymmetrical Purkinje cell connectivity | PDF (3,006 KB) - Traveling waves in developing cerebellar cortex mediated by asymmetrical Purkinje cell connectivity | Supplementary information

Transformation of odor representations in target areas of the olfactory bulb - pp474 - 482

Emre Yaksi, Francisca von Saint Paul, Jörn Niessing, Sebastian T Bundschuh & Rainer W Friedrich

doi:10.1038/nn.2288

The organization of the olfactory bulb has been extensively studied, but much less is known about downstream areas. The authors compare activity patterns in the zebrafish olfactory bulb and two of its targets. They find that the subpallial area has overlapping odor representations, whereas those in the area homologous to the olfactory bulb are more sharply tuned.

Abstract - | Full Text - Transformation of odor representations in target areas of the olfactory bulb | PDF (932 KB) - Transformation of odor representations in target areas of the olfactory bulb | Supplementary information

Gating multiple signals through detailed balance of excitation and inhibition in spiking networks - pp483 - 491

Tim P Vogels & L F Abbott

doi:10.1038/nn.2276

The balance of excitation and inhibition across large populations of spiking neurons has been suggested to be important. Here the authors model the effects of a more detailed balance between incoming excitation and local inhibition on the transmission of signals through a neural network.

Abstract - | Full Text - Gating multiple signals through detailed balance of excitation and inhibition in spiking networks | PDF (806 KB) - Gating multiple signals through detailed balance of excitation and inhibition in spiking networks

See also: News and Views by Salinas

Phase-to-rate transformations encode touch in cortical neurons of a scanning sensorimotor system - pp492 - 501

John C Curtis & David Kleinfeld

doi:10.1038/nn.2283

Active somatosensory perception requires the integration of signals arising from both external stimuli and motor activity. The authors found a population of neurons in rat somatosensory cortex that responded to touch only when contact occurred at a specific phase in the whisk cycle, providing information about the position of the object relative to the rat's face.

Abstract - | Full Text - Phase-to-rate transformations encode touch in cortical neurons of a scanning sensorimotor system | PDF (2,154 KB) - Phase-to-rate transformations encode touch in cortical neurons of a scanning sensorimotor system | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Stanley

Interval time coding by neurons in the presupplementary and supplementary motor areas - pp502 - 507

Akihisa Mita, Hajime Mushiake, Keisetsu Shima, Yoshiya Matsuzaka & Jun Tanji

doi:10.1038/nn.2272

Previous work has implicated prefrontal and parietal cortex in time perception and the temporal domain in decision making. Single-cell recordings in monkeys performing an interval-generation task now reveal that neurons in the medial motor areas can also represent the passage of time.

Abstract - | Full Text - Interval time coding by neurons in the presupplementary and supplementary motor areas | PDF (593 KB) - Interval time coding by neurons in the presupplementary and supplementary motor areas | Supplementary information

A neural mechanism of first impressions - pp508 - 514

Daniela Schiller, Jonathan B Freeman, Jason P Mitchell, James S Uleman & Elizabeth A Phelps

doi:10.1038/nn.2278

People can form opinions of others during an initial encounter. Neuroimaging results suggest that these first impressions are mediated by the amygdala and posterior cingulate cortex.

Abstract - | Full Text - A neural mechanism of first impressions | PDF (369 KB) - A neural mechanism of first impressions | Supplementary information

Hierarchical cognitive control deficits following damage to the human frontal lobe - pp515 - 522

David Badre, Joshua Hoffman, Jeffrey W Cooney & Mark D'Esposito

doi:10.1038/nn.2277

The frontal lobes are critical for cognitive control over both abstract actions and motor plans. On the basis of the behavioral deficits of lesions patients, the authors report that there is a hierarchical organization of cognitive control, with rostral areas being required for decisions about more abstract actions and caudal areas being required for decisions about more concrete actions.

Abstract - | Full Text - Hierarchical cognitive control deficits following damage to the human frontal lobe | PDF (527 KB) - Hierarchical cognitive control deficits following damage to the human frontal lobe | Supplementary information