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There is mounting evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction is an early and causal event in neurodegeneration. Here, Bossy-Wetzel and colleagues discuss how aberrant mitochondrial fission and fusion can contribute to neurodegenerative disease.
Mammals have evolved a complex set of mechanisms that maintain extracellular fluid osmolality within a narrow range to preserve cellular function. Bourque uncovers the sensory mechanisms, central pathways and peripheral responses that comprise the mammalian osmoregulatory system.
Transgenic animal models have been instrumental for the growth of our knowledge about neurodegenerative diseases. Götz and Ittner review what we have learned from the study of mouse, fly and worm models of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia.
The past decade has seen an increasing interest in the mechanisms by which the human brain decides what actions to take. Here, Rangel and colleagues provide a framework for the exploration of the neurobiological and computational basis of value-based decision making.
Debate continues over how best to classify cortical interneurons. Standardizing the nomenclature used to describe these cells might aid classification efforts. Here, a committee of interneuron researchers propose a standardized set of terms to describe the morphological, molecular and physiological features of an interneuron.
The effects of particular foods on brain function have long been suspected. Gómez-Pinilla discusses the mechanisms responsible for the action of nutrients on mental function and the potential of diet manipulations to promote mental fitness.
