The mechanisms underlying neuron specification and maturation are unclear. Here the authors provide an integrated epigenomic and transcriptomic analysis of mouse and marmoset neocortical neuronal classes. Pan-neuronal programs active during early development are more evolutionary conserved but not neuron-specific, whereas pan-neuronal programs active during later stages of maturation are more neuron- and species-specific.

Bryois et al. mapped genetic variants regulating gene expression in eight major brain cell types. They found a large number of cell-type-specific genetic effects and leveraged their results to identify novel putative risk genes for brain disorders.

Consumption of excessive high-fat diet (HFD) induces compulsive feeding. Here the authors show HFD-induced microglia activation in the anterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus plays a crucial role in promoting compulsive eating behavior.

Mouse models expressing liver apoE in the absence of brain apoE reveal detrimental effects of peripheral apoE4 associated with Alzheimer’s risk on cognition and amyloid pathology through compromising vascular integrity and function.

Dräger et al. establish a rapid, scalable platform for iPSC-derived microglia. CRISPRi/a screens uncover roles of disease-associated genes in phagocytosis, and regulators of disease-relevant microglial states that can be targeted pharmacologically.

The mechanisms underlying neuron specification and maturation are unclear. Here the authors provide an integrated epigenomic and transcriptomic analysis of mouse and marmoset neocortical neuronal classes. Pan-neuronal programs active during early development are more evolutionary conserved but not neuron-specific, whereas pan-neuronal programs active during later stages of maturation are more neuron- and species-specific.

Bryois et al. mapped genetic variants regulating gene expression in eight major brain cell types. They found a large number of cell-type-specific genetic effects and leveraged their results to identify novel putative risk genes for brain disorders.

Consumption of excessive high-fat diet (HFD) induces compulsive feeding. Here the authors show HFD-induced microglia activation in the anterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus plays a crucial role in promoting compulsive eating behavior.

Mouse models expressing liver apoE in the absence of brain apoE reveal detrimental effects of peripheral apoE4 associated with Alzheimer’s risk on cognition and amyloid pathology through compromising vascular integrity and function.

Kutlu, Zachry, Melugin et al. show that dopamine in the nucleus accumbens core is evoked by novel, neutral stimuli and tracks stimulus familiarity in the absence of valence-based predictions. These signals influence the speed of future learning for familiar stimuli.

Although issues surrounding diversity and inclusion in science are global, distinctive region-specific socioeconomic factors and operational biases interact to widen the opportunity gap and exacerbate the isolation of specific groups of disadvantaged scientists on the global stage. This commentary reviews the issues currently faced by the Latin American (neuro)science community and outlines key actions on multiple fronts to overcome the barriers impeding their global inclusion, visibility and success.