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Small populations of interneurons in mice and inDrosophila melanogasterhave been shown to control both mating and aggression. Here, David Anderson proposes that these neuron populations may represent a conserved or analogous circuit node that controls reproductive behaviours in animals by promoting internal motivational, arousal or drive states.
Some epidemiological studies suggest associations between general anaesthesia and long-term cognitive dysfunction in children and the elderly, although these remain to be proven. Here, Vutskits and Xie review the evidence for general anaesthetic-induced cognitive impairment in young and old rodents and non-human primates, and the potential underlying mechanisms.
Sean Hill explains why the growing importance of data-intensive neuroscience makes it crucial for the community to establish minimal metadata standards
Promoter–enhancer loopings and other features of the 3D genome are dynamically regulated in the brain. In this Review, Akbarian and colleagues discuss how neuronal and glial gene expression is governed by the 3D genome, with implications for cognition and neuropsychiatric disease.
Inputs to the ventral tegmental area, which computes the reward prediction error, carry diverse signals about the actual and expected reward from distributed areas.
Early in development, GABA released from interneurons is excitatory and induces the formation of functional inhibitory and excitatory synapses in cortical layer 2/3.
Adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus is regulated by existing hippocampal connectivity and can be manipulated to enhance memory function in aged mice.
Mind-wandering is often defined as task-unrelated or stimulus-unrelated thought. In this Review, Christoff and colleagues present a definition for mind-wandering that places more emphasis on the dynamic nature of this process. They also examine the brain networks underlying mind-wandering and its involvement in various brain disorders.
Two studies show that cortical feedback and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 are necessary for the proper refinement of reticulogeniculate synapses during visual system development.
Adverse childhood experiences have a wide range of effects on the structure, function and connectivity of the developing brain. Teicheret al. suggest that such changes might reflect adaptive modifications that, in some susceptible individuals, could contribute to psychopathology.
Topoisomerases catalyse DNA-strand breaks that help to relieve torsional stress and maintain cellular homeostasis. Here, McKinnon describes the importance of topoisomerase function for the normal operation of the nervous system and considers how aberrant topoisomerase activity can contribute to neurologic disease.
Churchland and Sejnowski consider how the BRAIN Initiative will bring together theoretical and experimental neuroscience to drive the development of conceptual frameworks of brain function.
James Olds argues that gaining a true understanding of brain structure and function will require neuroscientists to adopt a team-based approach to research and considers some of the challenges that this presents for the field.
