Articles in 2021

Flexibility is critical for the optimal adaptation of thoughts and actions under changing circumstances. In this Review, Uddin summarizes research that has identified cognitive processes and neural systems supporting flexibility and discusses ways to improve flexibility across the lifespan.

A substantial burden of neurological disease is related to mutations in three sodium channel genes: SCN1A, SCN2A and SCN8A. In this Review, Meisler and colleagues discuss the neurological disorders associated with these mutations and also the therapeutic opportunities that are being investigated as a result of these recent mechanistic insights.

The role of the default mode network (DMN) is unclear. In this Perspective, Yeshurun, Nguyen and Hasson review evidence that the DMN integrates extrinsic inputs with intrinsic information over long timescales, enabling it to represent meaning in a way that can be shared between individuals.

In flies, neurons that are common to both sexes regulate aggressive approach, whereas other, sex-specific neurons control attack behaviours.

The innate responses of mice to sweet-tasting or bitter-tasting stimuli can be modulated by top-down feedback from the cortex.

Lewy bodies, which are α-synuclein-rich intracellular inclusions, are pathological hallmarks of several neurodegenerative diseases, notably Parkinson disease. In this Review, Fares, Jagannath and Lashuel examine the biochemical, structural and morphological features of Lewy bodies as well as how α-synuclein pathology may form and spread.

The molecular basis of trans-synaptic signalling by Neurexins plays an important role in synapse organization. In this Review, Scheiffele and colleagues link cell type-specific alternative splicing to the combinatorial action of Neurexin isoforms, and provide a mechanistic framework for Neurexin functions in synapse organization.

A new study provides evidence suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may be able to enter the CNS via the neural–mucosal interface in the olfactory mucosa.