As this issue goes to press, many neuroscientists will be flocking to San Diego for the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, where we look forward to meeting readers and authors and hearing their thoughts on Nature Reviews Neuroscience. We also invite you to visit our reader survey (http://readerpanel.nature.com/wix5/p456983218.aspx), through which you can help us to shape the future content and features of the journal.

In this issue, the Review on page 812, by Matthews and Fuchs, focuses on synaptic ribbons. These specialized structures enable sensory systems to encode a wide and dynamic range of stimuli. The authors describe the structural features of ribbons that enable sustained and rapid transmitter release, and discuss the functional roles of ribbons in the retina and the hair cells of the inner ear.

Our featured article this month covers the rapidly advancing research on Nogo proteins and their receptors in the CNS. On page 799, Martin Schwab reviews the accumulating data on the growth-suppressive role of Nogo-A in the developing and adult CNS — a function that is in line with its known inhibitory effect on regeneration after injury. The Review also discusses aspects of Nogo proteins about which much remains to be discovered, including its receptors, signalling pathways and intracellular functions.

Mutations in the gene encoding leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) have recently been linked to Parkinson's disease. In a Progress article on page 791, Mark Cookson provides his view on how mutations in LRRK2 might affect protein function. He also discusses how LRRK2 mutations impact processes that involve tau and α-synuclein, and considers whether LRRK2-associated pathology might require these two proteins.