Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain
the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in
Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles
and JavaScript.
The slow (<1 Hz) rhythm, the most substantial EEG signature of non–rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, is generally viewed as originating exclusively from neocortical networks. The authors propose that this oscillation requires the interaction of a cortical oscillator and two thalamic ones.
The vascular niche-derived factor PEDF enhances Notch signaling in adult neural stem cells via an unexpected mechanism involving nuclear export of a transcriptional repressor, to promote both proliferation and multipotentiality.
The pruning of unneeded axons and dendrites is crucial for circuitry maturation, but poorly understood on the molecular level. During Drosophila metamorphosis, the transcription factor Sox14 acts as a context-dependent mediator of death, axonal or dendritic pruning. Its transcriptional target Mical acts specifically in dendrite pruning.
The firing of most hippocampal neurons is modulated by the theta rhythm, but it's not clear how and where the rhythm is generated. A study now shows that the required machinery for theta generation lies in local circuits of the hippocampus.
During early development, rats show the unlikely behavior of becoming attracted to the very stimulus that they should avoid. A new study shows that this occurs as a result of a complex interplay of glucocorticoid secretion and dopaminergic tone in the amygdala.
The α2δ-3 auxiliary subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels promotes the formation of synaptic boutons in Drosophila neuromuscular junction independently of its role in channel localization.
Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain enable alert and attending brain states. A study now shows how basal forebrain activity increases coding abilities of cortical neurons and at what stages these changes occur.
Laminar neuronal density varies between cortical areas; thus, the developmental specification of areas and layers needs to be coordinated. AP2γ turns out to be an important regulator of upper layer development in occipital cortex.
During the day, certain retinal ganglion cells respond specifically to dark, approaching stimuli. A study finds that the retinal circuit that gives rise to this response makes use of an amacrine cell that was previously known for its role in night vision circuitry, demonstrating that some neurons lead double lives.
Fusion of synaptic vesicles upon calcium influx requires precise localization of voltage-gated calcium channels. A new study identifies a previously uncharacterized protein that mediates trafficking of CaV2 calcium channels in C. elegans.
A study in this issue found that suppressing expression of TRPM7 in hippocampal CA1 neurons conferred resistance to ischemic cell death, preserved cell function and prevented ischemia-induced deficits in memory.
Recent human imaging work has expanded the view of amygdala function beyond early findings in animals, but two studies of an individual with bilateral amygdala damage now suggest that we should be thinking even more broadly.
No effective therapeutic interventions exist for severe spinal cord injury. A report in this issue shows that rats can recover substantial 'hand' function after complete lesion of the cervical dorsal corticospinal tract, if treated with a combination of specific reaching rehabilitation exercises and chondroitinase injections to enhance axonal sprouting.
The study by Ozaita and colleagues in this issue identifies a function of CB1 cannabinoid receptors—THC-induced amnesia—and reveals the surprising role of GABAergic synapses in mediating this phenomenon.
NeuroD1 is well known for its role in development. In this issue, two papers collectively show that the Wnt pathway directly activates the transcription factor NeuroD1 to regulate adult neurogenesis and, potentially, neuron diversity.
Using fMRI to probe face cells in the monkey temporal lobe, a study shows that these face-responsive cells appear to be feature detectors, but only work this way in the holistic construct of a face.
Breathing relies on a respiratory rhythm generator. A study characterizes an early emerging oscillatory group of Phox2b-expressing parafacial cells that entrain and couple with the preBötzinger Complex at the onset of fetal breathing.
Quantitative immunostaining, electrophysiology and modeling show that two sodium channel isoforms are asymmetrically distributed in the axon initial segment. Their polarized distribution explains many of the unique properties of the axon initial segment, including its ability to both initiate spikes and guarantee subsequent backpropagation.
In the face of uncertainty, how do we choose between maintaining our current strategy or trying new strategies? A study shows that a gene controlling prefrontal dopamine function is predictive of uncertainty-driven exploration.
