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Although neuroscientists focus on only very few animal species today, there are many important reasons to take advantage of model system diversity and embrace (anew) a comparative approach in modern brain research. Recent technological advances make this increasingly possible.
In a rat model of spinal cord injury, inhibiting calmodulin-mediated relocalization of aquaporin 4 to the blood–spinal cord barrier after injury reduced CNS oedema and promoted functional recovery.
Neuroscience laboratories can take steps to ‘go green’ in a number of ways, including curbing unnecessary energy usage and reducing plastic waste. Such measures often rely on behavioural changes but need not affect scientific output.
The presence of sugar in the gut is signalled via the vagus nerve to neurons in the caudal nucleus of the solitary tract, which help to mediate the formation of the preference for sugar over sweeteners.