Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain
the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in
Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles
and JavaScript.
Sleep and wakefulness must occur at appropriate times that are in accordance with our internal and external environments. Sakurai reviews how the orexin (hypocretin) system regulates sleep and wakefulness through interactions with systems that control emotion, reward and energy homeostasis.
Ca2+ signals in neurons need to be finely tuned in order to trigger the appropriate response. This review discusses the different characteristics and functions of the neuronal calcium sensor protein family members as key components of neuronal Ca2+signalling pathways.
Differentiation of neurons is accompanied by the development of axons and dendrites. New evidence fromin vitro and in vivostudies has led to a model of how extra- and intracellular signalling pathways can establish positive and negative feedback loops for neurite outgrowth.
Cell adhesion molecules localized at synapses do more than provide a physical link between pre and post-synaptic cells. Dalva and colleagues review the evidence for the roles of these molecules in synaptic development, and in the regulation of synaptic function.
Neuropoietic cytokines are not only important in the immune system. Patterson and colleagues review their wide-ranging functions, in particular their involvement in the control of neuronal, glial and immune responses to injury and disease, and their role in nervous system development.
As the average age of the world population constantly increases, ways to prevent dementia have been the focus of many studies. Carol Brayne highlights the difficulties in the interpretation of studies in different population contexts.
