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Normalization computes a ratio between the response of an individual neuron and the summed activity of a pool of neurons. Here, the authors review the evidence that it serves as a canonical computation — one that is applied to processing different types of information in multiple brain regions in multiple species.
The greatest differences in brain gene expression patterns are observed between brain regions and over time, rather than between sexes, ethnicities or individuals.
The popular press is replete with stories about the effects of video or computer games on the brain. In this Viewpoint, six experts in the field shed light on the current understanding of the positive and negative ways in which video gaming can affect cognition and behaviour, and explain how this knowledge can be harnessed for educational and rehabilitation purposes.
TheDISC1gene has been implicated in a number of major mental illnesses, which recent research suggests could be linked to its role in a variety of neurodevelopmental processes, thus indicating novel opportunities for therapeutic targeting.
Chronic stress exacerbates tauopathy, memory impairment and neurodegeneration in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease via a CRF1 receptor-dependent mechanism.
Dysfunction of the blood–brain barrier and other neurovascular deficits are features of several neurodegenerative disorders. In this Review, Berislav Zlokovic explores the evidence indicating that vascular-derived insults initiate and/or contribute to neuronal degeneration in these disorders, most notably in Alzheimer's disease. He also discusses the therapeutic opportunities that are related to these neurovascular deficits.
The compatibility of virtual reality systems with brain imaging techniques and their use for animal research have aided the widespread adoption of virtual reality environments in both experimental and therapeutic domains. Here the authors review advances in virtual reality technology and its applications.
Acquiring new motor skills involves a range of learning processes that are related to the gathering of task-relevant sensory information, decision making and the selection of strategies. Wolpert and colleagues review recent research in human motor learning with an emphasis on the computational mechanisms that are involved.
