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Several recent studies have indicated that common neural substrates are involved in remembering past events and imagining future events. Schacter and colleagues outline these findings and discuss the theoretical implications for our understanding of the adaptive functions of memory.
Neurofibrillary tangles, composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, are among the defining pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Trojanowski and colleagues review the current understanding of the physiological functions of tau and the causes and pathological consequences of its abnormal phosphorylation.
Different classes of GABAergic interneurons shape the spatiotemporal signalling patterns of neurons in the cerebral and cerebellar cortices. Huang and colleagues review the cellular and molecular mechanisms that specify and modify the development of these inhibitory innervation patterns.
New concepts of synaptic plasicity have recently emerged for interneurons, which are essential for information processing. Kullmann and Lamsa review our current knowledge of the various forms of LTP and LTD in hippocampal interneurons.
The potential importance of spontaneous, non task-related, brain activity is becoming increasingly apparent. Fox and Raichle discuss the measurement, properties and interpretation of spontaneous blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) fluctuations, highlighting what we know about their physiological significance and the future challenges for the field.
The subventricular zone (SVZ) is the major source of proliferative cells in the adult brain. In this Review, Curtis, Faull and Eriksson describe how the SVZ responds to neurodegenerative disease and discuss possible therapeutic strategies to harness its neurogenic potential.
Many neuroscientists are motivated by the hope that their research will ultimately benefit people with neurological and mental disorders. Steven Hyman asks whether neuroscience has progressed to the point that the diagnostic manuals for mental disorders can usefully incorporate its findings.
