Top 10
The top ten charts the articles that have been downloaded most often, in PDF format, from the Nature Reviews Neuroscience website in recent weeks. The chart does not rank the quality, scientific significance or citation impact of the content. However, it may bring articles to your attention that you might not have otherwise noticed. We hope you enjoy them.
Top of pagePerspective
Choices in neuroscience careers
Tamas Bartfai, Tom Insel, Gord Fishell & Nancy Rothwell
doi:10.1038/nrn2386
Early in their careers, students and postdoctoral researchers in neuroscience have to make important decisions that might have long-lasting consequences for their success as researchers. In this Viewpoint, four high-profile neuroscientists provide their thoughts on some of the issues they might want to consider.
Review
GABAA receptor trafficking and its role in the dynamic modulation of neuronal inhibition
Tija C. Jacob, Stephen J. Moss & Rachel Jurd
doi:10.1038/nrn2370
GABAA receptors mediate most inhibitory synaptic transmission, and their assembly and trafficking in neurons is tightly regulated. Moss and colleagues review our current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms that regulate GABAA receptor trafficking and their contribution to neuronal function.
Review
Metaplasticity: tuning synapses and networks for plasticity
Wickliffe C. Abraham
doi:10.1038/nrn2356
Synaptic plasticity is central to learning mechanisms, but what keeps the plasticity in check? Abraham reviews our current understanding of the mechanisms of metaplasticity — the plasticity of synaptic plasticity — and considers its importance for nervous system function and disease.
Review
General anaesthesia: from molecular targets to neuronal pathways of sleep and arousal
Nicholas P. Franks
doi:10.1038/nrn2372
The molecular targets of anaesthetics and the neuronal mechanisms through which they induce reversible loss of consciousness have been long-standing mysteries. This Review discusses the most important anaesthetic targets and the implications of the latest imaging studies, which show that there are striking similarities between anaesthetic-induced loss of consciousness and deep sleep.
Review
Plasticity of intrinsic neuronal properties in CNS disorders
Heinz Beck & Yoel Yaari
doi:10.1038/nrn2371
The intrinsic properties of a neuron profoundly influence neuronal function and are governed by the ion channels found in different neuronal compartments. Here, Beck and Yaari discuss the mechanisms underlying the plasticity of these properties in various CNS disorders.
Review
Actin in action: the interplay between the actin cytoskeleton and synaptic efficacy
Lorenzo A. Cingolani & Yukiko Goda
doi:10.1038/nrn2373
Actin filaments are the major cytoskeletal elements at the pre- and postsynaptic terminals. Cingolani and Goda discuss how the organization and dynamics of actin filaments are central to the coordination of synapse structure and function.
Perspective
A common neurobiology for pain and pleasure
Siri Leknes & Irene Tracey
doi:10.1038/nrn2333
Tracey and Leknes review the emerging evidence of extensive similarities between the anatomical substrates and signalling systems that mediate painful and pleasant sensations. Understanding the relationship between these powerful modulators of behaviour could be important for alleviating unnecessary suffering and improving well-being.
Review
The social brain in adolescence
Sarah-Jayne Blakemore
doi:10.1038/nrn2353
Social behaviour changes dramatically during adolescence. Sarah-Jayne Blakemore reviews the recent evidence of structural and functional alterations in areas of the social brain during this period and discusses how these changes might contribute to the development of social behaviour in adolescents.
Review
Multisensory integration: current issues from the perspective of the single neuron
Barry E. Stein & Terrence R. Stanford
doi:10.1038/nrn2331
Multisensory integration allows information from multiple senses to be combined, with benefits for nervous-system processing. Stein and Stanford discuss the principles of multisensory integration in single neurons in the CNS and consider the questions that the field must address.
Review
Noise in the nervous system
A. Aldo Faisal, Luc P. J. Selen & Daniel M. Wolpert
doi:10.1038/nrn2258
Noise contributes significantly to neuronal and behavioural trial-to-trial variability. Faisal and colleagues discuss the sources and effects of noise in the nervous system as well as the principles used to counter its detrimental effects.