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Two new studies expand the optogenetic repertoire by showing light-induced inhibition of synaptic release and control of gene transcription and chromatin modifications.
Oligodendrocytes support neurons by releasing exosomes that are internalized by neurons, and the cargo that they contain is shown to provide metabolic support under conditions of cellular stress.
Activity-dependent changes in neuronal gene expression require a means of synapse-to-nucleus signalling, and changes in nuclear calcium concentration provide a major route for such communication. Bading discusses how nuclear calcium signals are induced by synaptic activity and describes their role as regulators of gene expression in neuroadaptations.
Recent evidence suggests that mood disorders are associated with altered reward function. Russo and Nestler review studies that have shown alterations in the brain reward circuitry in patients with, and animal models of, depression, and discuss the cellular and molecular underpinnings of these alterations.
Many cases of Parkinson's disease (PD) are characterized by not only deficits in movement but also cognitive dysfunction, which can develop into dementia. Here, Irwinet al. review the complex connections between the neuropathological aetiologies that underlie the cognitive deficits associated with PD.
The implications of compartmentalization of protein synthesis and distribution within dendrites are not well understood. In this Opinion article, Hanus and Schuman discuss how the morphological complexity of dendrites and specialist regulatory mechanisms influence protein distribution and therefore the synaptic response to activity.
Psychology and neuroscience studies have shown that memory is a reconstructive process that is susceptible to distortion. Lacy and Stark summarize the evidence and discuss how this insight could be applied to police and courtroom procedures.
Nature Reviews Neuroscienceasks five prominent neuroscientists about the goals of several ambitious collaborative projects that have attracted large amounts of funding and media attention in the past year.
